Dear fellow Rotarians, Rotaractors, and Interactors:
 
The health and safety of our members are our top priorities. We, in the District, are closely monitoring the COVID-19 (coronavirus disease) pandemic, and continuously assessing its potential impact on our members, operations, meetings, trainings, and other events. 
Our primary goals are three-fold. To ensure:
-- the continued safety of our members and their families
-- we contribute to all containment efforts, and,
-- we ourselves do not contribute towards spreading the disease.
 
In light of the declaration of a national emergency, Rotary International and the District have taken some pro-active measures:
Rotary has cancelled the Presidential conferences scheduled for 28 March at UNESCO in Paris, France and for 9 May at the Food and Agriculture Organization in Rome, Italy.  Rotary International has also issued guidance for Club and District meetings, Youth Exchange, Peace Fellowships, and Rotary-funded travel.
 
D7230, had at the beginning of the pandemic, cancelled our planned Friendship exchange to Taiwan.  We have now cancelled RYLA, scheduled for April 24-26 and our District Conference scheduled for 18 April..  The multi-District PETS scheduled for 19-21 March has also been cancelled and will be handled online.
 
Other District events scheduled for April and May are also put on hold in light of changing circumstances.
 
Due to the rapidly changing nature of this situation, I encourage you to use your judgment and discretion, when it comes to club meetings and events.  Canceling or postponing meetings or Rotary-related travel, are appropriate. All Clubs have canceled regular in-person meetings, holding them online, or by phone.
 
To help with these efforts, the District has offered it's Zoom Video Conference Facilities and its teleconference setup to all Clubs in the District at no cost.  Should Clubs wish to take advantage of this, the Club President or Secretary should send an email to 7230rotary@gmail.com with at least 2 alternative dates and times.  We will assign the earliest available time slot and the necessary instructions.  Please note slots are 1 hour each.
 
Your District leadership is constantly monitoring the situation and will keep you updated via time-to-time updates and the newly created page on the District website:  rotary7230.org/page/covid-19. If  your club provides us with your Club's information on cancellations and/or postponements, (via the email address above) we will put them up on the page.
 
We will continue to watch for developments, and follow the recommendations of the World Health Organization, (WHO) the U.S. State Department and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). We are prepared to make any necessary adjustments, to the plans for District and Multi-District events. We will take all precautions that are needed, to protect Conference and meeting attendees. Your health and safety are our top priorities.
 
This is a time for Rotary, us Rotarians, Rotaractors and Interactors to remain engaged and in touch with our communities.  Granted, social distancing may result in that engagement taking a different route, but our motto of Service above Self remains ever so relevant in these trying times.  Common sense precautions will allow us to stay safe while providing the Service we are known for. 
 
Stay informed on the latest developments about COVID-19. Follow advice given by your healthcare provider, your national and local public health authority or your workplace on how to protect yourself and others from COVID-19.
 
Please accept my best wishes for the health and safety of your family and of all the members of the Rotary, Rotaract and Interact family in your areas.  
 
-DG Mahbub