Going Back to Work Tips During COVID-19

Greetings!

The Centers for Disease Controls and Prevention (CDC) recently released guidance to assist employers in making decisions about resuming work during the COVID-19 pandemic. Aside from following the recommendations issued by state and local health departments, the following list provides helpful tips and guidance from the CDC:

1. Questions To Consider Before Reopening
According to the CDC guidance, you should consider three questions when deciding whether to reopen:

• Are you in a community no longer requiring significant mitigation?

• Will reopening be in compliance with state and local orders?

• Will you be ready to protect employees at higher risk for severe illness? (e.g. teleworking, tasks that minimize contact)?

It is recommended that you only consider reopening if you can answer “yes” to each of the three questions set forth above.

2. Do A Risk Assessment And Prepare A Plan
Once you decide your organization can reopen, you should conduct a risk assessment of your site and prepare a site-specific protection plan incorporating the State's and CDC’s recommended safety actions.

3. Establish Safeguards For The Ongoing Monitoring Of Employees
You should establish and implement safeguards for the ongoing monitoring of employees.

4. Prepare Your Physical Workspace
The final step before you reopen your business involves the proper preparation of your physical workspace for reentry by workers, customers, guests, and other visitors.

5. Be Attentive
Unfortunately, your work does not end just because you have opened your doors and welcomed your workers and others into your establishment. The CDC recommends that you maintain routine cleaning and disinfection procedures after reopening and to continue following recommended safety actions. 

More information about each of the foregoing topics can be found by clicking "Read More" below.

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This publication is general in nature and is not intended to replace professional legal advice. Questions regarding specific matters or circumstances should be discussed with legal counsel.