CDC Issues Reopening Recommendations for Businesses and Schools

On May 15, 2020

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) yesterday issued recommendations, in the form of six flow charts, to guide businesses and schools in their reopening efforts in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic.

In order for business to reopen, the CDC recommends that the following health and safety measures be in place:

• Promoting healthy hygiene practices such as hand washing and employees wearing a cloth face covering, as feasible
• Intensifying cleaning, disinfection, and ventilation
• Encouraging social distancing and enhancing spacing between employees, including through physical barriers, changing layout of workspaces, encouraging telework, closing or limiting access to communal spaces, staggering shifts and breaks, and limiting large events, when and where feasible.
• Consider modifying travel and commuting practices. Promote telework for employees who do not live in the local area, if feasible.
• Training all employees on health and safety protocols.

Additionally, employers should also have ongoing health-monitoring protocols in place, such as:

• Developing and implementing procedures to check for signs and symptoms of employees daily upon arrival, as feasible
• Encouraging anyone who is sick to stay home
• Planning for if an employee gets sick
• Regularly communicating and monitoring developments with local authorities and employees
• Monitoring employee absences and having flexible leave policies and practices
• Being ready to consult with the local health authorities if there are cases in the facility or an increase in cases in the local area

The CDC says it is important to check with state and local health officials and other partners to determine the most appropriate actions while adjusting to meet the unique needs and circumstances of the local community.

A spokesman for the CDC, according to a New York Times article, said further decision charts may be issued.

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