With almost all of Central Pennsylvania now in the “Yellow Phase” and in anticipation that the “Green Phase” may only be a few more weeks ahead, the Stock and Leader Employment Team wanted to call your attention to some recent guidance issued by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC.)
The first is a “Decision Tree” form of document that outlines considerations when determining whether to reopen, a checklist for actions to take to insure the health and safety of your employees and customers/ business visitors, and specific suggestions for the ongoing monitoring of various scenarios that are likely to occur during and after the reentry process:
WORKPLACES DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC
While specifically directed to circumstances involving critical infrastructure employees, this interim guidance is equally applicable to the non-critical infrastructure setting where employees are just now returning to the workplace after many weeks of closure:
In particular, both documents address the necessity of pre-screening employees for symptoms, enforcing mandatory use of approved face masks, social distancing, thorough and ongoing cleaning and disinfection of the workplace and isolation/quarantine of employees who have been exposed to the virus, either at work or elsewhere.
Whether we agree or disagree with the extent and duration of the shutdown that has applied to the vast majority of Central Pennsylvania employers since mid-March, it is clear that all reasonable and preventative measures must be taken to avoid any further and significant spread of the virus that could threaten the health and safety of employees and customers as well as potentially result in the re-imposition of restrictions on business operations.
We hope you will find this information helpful, particularly if you are now in the process of reopening your business operations. For more specific information and advice with respect to your business and the risks involved in reopening, do not hesitate to contact any of the members of our Employment Team.