Dear PMI Baltimore Chapter,

In light of the rapidly changing events regarding COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic, I want to update you on the PMI Baltimore Chapter (PMIBC) site meetings as we take the health and safety of our participants very seriously. We are cancelling all March Site Meetings and will continue planning future meetings. If you have already registered for a meeting in March, you will be notified by your site director within the next few days explaining how to transfer your registration to a future meeting at that site. Our Vice President of Programs is looking into alternative meeting options to include virtual meetings.

Please know that PMIBC is committed to the safety and well-being of our community and the PMI Crisis Task Force is monitoring the situation daily. Several global events are impacted:

• Global Executive Council Meeting, Dubai (postponed)
• PMI Board of Directors Meeting (virtual)
• Leadership Institute Master Class (postponed)
• Latin America Leadership Institute Meeting (virtual)

At this point, Governor Larry Hogan held a press conference to provide updates on COVID-19 in Maryland. During the conference, State Superintendent of Schools Dr. Karen Salmon announced all Maryland public schools will be closed from Monday, March 16 through Friday, March 27 as part of efforts to slow the spread of COVID-19. 

The PMIBC Board of Directors is monitoring the situation closely and following the recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), regulators and local public health departments. The safety of our members, families and community at large is of utmost importance and a priority to Chapter leaders. As updates occur, we will keep you aware of any changes to our plans for scheduled events and will continue to communicate the changes as soon as possible.

If you have already registered for a meeting in March, you will be notified by your site director within the next few days explaining how to transfer your registration to a future meeting at that site.

We need everyone’s help to reduce the impact of COVID-19. According to the CDC, there are several preventive actions you can take:

• Avoid close contact with individuals who show signs of illness.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth without first washing your hands.
• Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds; if soap and water are unavailable please use an alcohol based hand sanitizer.
• Cough or sneeze into a tissue and throw away the tissue immediately. If you don't have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve, not your hands.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
• If you feel sick, or become sick, seek medical care immediately.

To help prevent the virus from spreading, everyone must to do their part and follow the CDC recommended preventive actions. In addition, please be aware of the travel advisories. Thefollowing are additional sources of information:

• World Health Organization (WHO) - https://www.who.int/
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) - https://www.cdc.gov/
• State Department Travel Advisories - https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories.html/

Maria Killian 
President 
PMI Baltimore Chapter