CONCORD, N.H. - New Hampshire's Division of Travel and Tourism Development is emphasizing that visitors to the state this fall “Know Before You Go" online with regard to coronavirus-related requirements and restrictions.

Visitors can educate themselves while looking at the fall foliage tracker and at suggested scenic drives in the state, Lori Harnois, director of the division, said during a meeting on fall tourism hosted by U.S. Sen. Maggie Hassan on Monday.

Another campaign in the works is “Leave No Trace," to honour New Hampshire's natural resources and be responsible travellers, Harnois said. This summer, New Hampshire received its share of visitors who wanted to take advantage of parks, forests, and other outdoor destinations. However, some also left an increase of roadside trash.

In spite of the visitors, it's been a difficult season for the travel and tourism industry, with many events and planned excursions, such as leaf-peeper bus tours, cancelled.

Paula Kinney, the executive co-ordinator of Androscoggin Valley Chamber of Commerce, said the ATV season has taken off well, but also emphasized that a lot of people are “trashing the place."

She said another problem is employee retention. “A lot of my restaurants can't stay open every day anymore. They're all closing, they're shortening their hours. We just don't have employees."

CJ Haines, executive director of the New Hampshire Brewers Association, said breweries are trying to plan for colder weather and what that means to seating capacity and sales. Breweries also are facing an increased tax on barrels.

The hospitality representatives said they also hoped that the deadline on federal CARES Act relief funds could be extended past December. Hassan has introduce a bill calling for that.

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THE NUMBERS

As of Monday, 7,714 people had tested positive for the virus in New Hampshire, an increase of 18 from the previous day. The number of deaths remained at 436. The seven-day rolling average of daily new cases in New Hampshire increased over the past two weeks, going from 21 new cases per day on Aug. 30 to 36 new cases per day on Sept. 13.

For most people, the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia or death.

News from © The Associated Press, 2020