(a)  Notwithstanding any general or public law to the contrary, upon the filing of the proclamation as provided in § 43-3-28, any act or thing to be done, performed, authorized, or required by a certain day or time, which because of the disruption and/or interruption cannot be done, performed, authorized, or required in the manner as authorized or required by law, contract, or otherwise, shall be deemed to have complied therewith if done, performed, authorized, or required, on or before the next business day following the determination by the governor as provided in § 43-3-30, and if any further act or thing may be required or authorized to be done, performed, authorized, or required, in consequence of or as a performance subsequent to the initial act or thing required to be done, performed, authorized, or required, the day or time for the further performance, which but for the emergency would have occurred during the period of emergency or later, shall be extended by the duration of the period of emergency to provide for a period of time commensurate with that contemplated had there not been interruption or disruption of service.

(b)  Except where the use of postal service is the only means of communication agreed upon by the parties, it shall be the duty of every person to exercise other means of communication as may be reasonably available to him or her to mitigate the consequences resulting from the emergency so that the rights of all persons shall not be prejudiced.