Bermuda’s Chamber of Commerce today old members to make sure they had plans in place to protect their businesses and staff as Hurricane Gonzalo looms on the horizon.

A spokeswoman for the business body said that the Chamber’s advice was that businesses should shut up shop by noon tomorrow.

She added that member firms should ensure they had a plan to contact staff to let them know whether to report to work in the aftermath of the hurricane, which is expected to hit Bermuda on Friday evening.

The spokeswoman said: “Please be mindful of home commitments and the need to check on neighbours and elderly parents.”

And she told members: “We encourage you to notify us of your opening hours before and after the storm.”

The spokeswoman added that the Chamber of Commerce will be closed on Thursday, but that it planned to keep members updated over the weekend with the latest information from the Emergency Measures Organisation through e-mail or Facebook — if the power supply and internet connections hold up.

And she said member firms should contact the Chamber if they wanted to make public announcements.

The Chamber of Commerce added that it hoped to open — probably in a limited capacity — on Monday.