A crowded Zoom room full of business owners from Carbon, Monroe, Pike and Wayne counties got together Monday morning to sign the Pocono Promise.

The purpose is to let patrons, residents and elected officials know that this business has promised to follow state, federal and local guidelines by instituting safe distancing, cleaning surfaces thoroughly, providing hand-sanitizer stations, promoting proper hygiene and more.

Chris Barrett, the president and CEO of the Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau, said, “It’s totally voluntary, but it sends a message to others locally that they’re doing everything they can to keep their members and the community safe.”

The promise was spearheaded by PMVB with assistance from the Carbon Chamber and Economic Development Corp., Pike County Chamber of Commerce, Pocono Chamber of Commerce, the Chamber of the Northern Poconos, state and local representatives, and management from Camelback, Great Wolf Lodge and Kalahari Resorts.

“It’s been a great collaborative effort,” Marlyn Kissner, chair of the Pocono Promise committee and executive vice president of the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce and executive director of the CCEDC. “We can do this together.”

The businesses making the promise agree to:

1. Post the Pocono Promise sign at the entrance of the business and post it on their website and social media accounts;

2. Train the staff and update training as needed;

3. Use safe sanitation and cleaning practices with repeated cleanings throughout the day;

4. Have employees complete health questionnaires before each shift;

5. Adhere to social distancing practices;

6. Evaluate cash handling practices and implement touchless payment options; advance payments via phone, online or apps; and provide physical barriers, such as Plexiglas counter shields, between staff and patron;

7. Provide hand sanitizer or hand washing stations at entrances, exits and throughout the premises;

8. Make sure staff is using universal masking and other personal protective equipment as required by state and federal health guidance, and;

9. Place signs in highly visible areas to remind patrons to socially distance and other safe hygiene practices.

Barbara Green, owner of Blue Mountain Resort, said at the signing, “I think the direction that the PMVB has taken up has really given us a road map to opening safely. I think we can do this safely, if we just use a lot of common sense and follow the rules. I think you laid the rules out really well.”

Photographer Michael Straub, who also signed the promise, said, “As a business that is probably a little smaller than the rest of yours, I want to say thank you to all of the big boys of the Poconos - all of those resorts, all of the larger tourism businesses that help me have my business here in Monroe County. I appreciate the fact that you’re taking this so seriously.”

Barrett said he realized as the pandemic unfolded that the response to reopening was going to have to focus on “taking care of the people here.”

“Most people do have concerns,” he said. “The governor is really clear they’re going to watch the numbers. They will take a step back.”

For more information about the Pocono Promise, go to https://www.poconomountains.com/about-pmvb/pocono-promise. Information regarding the coronavirus is also available by clicking on the red banner at the top of their website.