Reopening Your Business: COVID-19 Preparedness Plan
Governor Tim Walz issued Executive Order 20-56 on May 13, 2020, extending the stay-at-home order and providing for the reopening of certain “non-critical” businesses and outdoor recreational activities and facilities. For more information on Executive Order 20-56, click here.
All those who can work from home must continue to do so. Still, workers in the following non-critical business sectors are exempt from the stay-at-home order to travel to work: industrial and manufacturing businesses, office-based businesses, and retail businesses. This exemption is subject to restrictions, including requiring each non-critical business resuming operations to create a COVID-19 Preparedness Plan. All non-critical businesses that are primarily customer-facing are required to establish additional provisions to incorporate into your Plan. All employees must be trained on the contents and procedures of your Plan.
Pursuant to Executive Order 20-56, your COVID-19 Preparedness Plan must address the following:
Ensure that all employees work from home whenever possible.
Ensure that sick employees stay home and establish policies and procedures that prevent sick employees from entering the workplace.
Ensure that all employees practice social distancing in the workplace pursuant to current CDC, Federal, and State standards.
Establish employee hygiene and source control policies for all employees.
Establish cleaning and disinfection protocols for the workplace.
Additional protocols must be established in your Plan for drop-off, pick-up, delivery, in-store shopping, and malls. Non-critical front-facing businesses and common areas within commercial retail buildings must operate at 50 percent of standard capacity.
If not extended by future legislation or executive order, the above requirements will remain in place until May 31, 2020. The Minnesota Department of Labor has provided a template COVID-19 Preparedness Plan, which can be found at https://mn.gov/deed/safework/. It is important to note that while your Plan does not need to be submitted to the Department of Labor for approval, it must be available upon request. For help preparing your COVID-19 Preparedness Plan in anticipation of reopening your business, contact Bernick Lifson today.