What is YOUR Plan for When Those Doors Reopen?
What a difference a day makes! On May 20th, Governor Gavin Newsom approved San Diego County’s first measure request to accelerate the reopening of the local economy. This will allow counties that have been seeing a decrease in coronavirus cases to begin loosening the restrictions at varying speeds and move deeper into Stage 2 of the State’s Reopening Plan. The recent approval will allow for modified in-person customers at restaurants and retail businesses. What does that mean for businesses who can now reopen and what parameters will need to be met?
The re-opening of these businesses can begin as early as today (Thursday, May 21st), but with strict guidelines and monitoring. Advancing further into Stage 2 means businesses will be required to follow detailed precautions and mandates to ensure the safety of their employees and customers. Restaurants, food, and beverage providers have separate requirements that will need to be met before their doors can open which includes posting a copy of the COVID-19 Restaurant Operating Protocol at each location; ensuring it is visible to the public and provided to each employee. In addition, specific COVID posters issued by the County will need to be printed and displayed at all entrances for all businesses prior to reopening.
Similar to the start of when the Stay at Home Order was implemented back in mid-March, the reopening of San Diego, although eagerly awaited, will bring on new challenges and questions for businesses to navigate through. The reopening of business doors to customers brings on another entirely new element of expectations and modifications that each business will need to assess. There is no one size fits all plan or checklist that will be required (outside of the mandated modifications and standards), but nonetheless, a plan for each business is expected. The State of CA has issued a “guidance” checklist per industry that is business-specific which is a valuable resource to reference.
Now more than ever, businesses need to prepare to meet the standards for reopening. Businesses will want to be proactive in getting their business open and their employees back to work. Contact us today for a free 30-minute consultation to discuss the requirements of reopening your unique business, using our complimentary Basic eShield Hotline Service or our discounted Premium eShield Hotline Service.
The Reopen San Diego Business Safety Framework is broken into five categories:
1. Employee Safety
2. Customer Safety
3. Sanitation
4. Physical Distancing
5. General Business Practice and Communications
The Framework further requires employers of businesses that are permitted to reopen to complete, post (at each entrance to the business), and distribute to each employee the San Diego County’s Safe Reopening Plan. As indicated on the Plan, San Diego County is requiring all businesses to check their employee’s temperature before allowing them into the worksite. Businesses also need to identify and provide contact information for a Health and Safety Coordinator to whom employees and the public may bring questions or comments about the Safe Reopening Plan. The County can shut down businesses that fail to implement an effective Safe Reopening Plan at any time, so precise compliance is critical to staying open.
Before reopening, the State requires all businesses to do the following:
- Perform a detailed risk assessment and implement a site-specific protection plan
- Train employees on how to limit the spread of COVID-19, including how to screen themselves for symptoms and to stay at home if they have them
- Implement individual control measures and screenings
- Implement disinfecting protocols
- Implement physical distancing requirements
In order to qualify for reopening, businesses also need:
- Mandatory signage and education
- Measures to protect employee health
- Measures to protect customer safety in retail establishments
- Measures to ensure physical distancing of at least 6 feet
How Can SDHRC Help Our Clients?
The San Diego accelerated Phase 2 reopening (if approved by the Governor) may happen quickly and it is up to each business to determine if they are prepared and ready to open their doors.
There are many ways SDHRC can help our clients during these ever-changing times. To view our full list of ways we can assist you throughout COVID-19 please view our “COVID-19 Assistance” brochure. In addition to our COVID eShield Hotline Services, SDHRC can assist with a wide range of services including but not limited to:
- Create Customizable Safely Reopening Plan
- Create Required Notices To Ensure Following Of All Regulations
- Create Return to Work Letters
- PPP Loan Guidance
- Remote Work Policies
