I am a business owner or supervisor.
How can I protect my employees and prevent the spread of COVID-19?
All establishments must, to the extent possible, adhere to social distancing recommendations, enhanced sanitizing practices on common surfaces, and other appropriate workplace guidance from state and federal authorities.
If you are concerned your employer is not following these guidelines, please contact the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) or the Virginia Department of Labor and Industry (DOLI).
•Send sick employees home
•Promote proper hygiene (coughing into a tissue and throwing it away, hand-washing for 20 seconds)
•Implement social distancing practices and flexible policies for scheduling and teleworking if possible
•Increase cleaning measures
•Consider the need for travel and explore alternatives
•If you have temporary or contract employees, talk with their company about their COVID-19 plan and guidance
•Provide education and training for your employees and talk with them about their concerns
How can I protect myself while at work?
•Practice social distancing to the extent possible
•Wash your hands frequently to limit the spread of germs
•Know the signs and symptoms of COVID-19 and stay at home if you become sick
•Avoid contact with people who are sick
•Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces within your workplace
One of my employees has been diagnosed with COVID-19.
What should I do to prevent the spread in the workplace?
The CDC recommends the following:
•Close off areas used by the ill person(s).
•Open outside doors and windows to increase air circulation in the area.
•If possible, wait up to 24 hours before disinfection.
•Cleaning staff should clean and disinfect all areas (e.g., offices, bathrooms, and common areas) used by the ill person(s), focusing especially on frequently touched surfaces.
•Cleaning staff should wear disposable gloves and gowns for all tasks in the cleaning process, including handling trash. Gloves and gowns should be compatible with the disinfectant products being used.
CDC recommends that employers should not require a positive COVID-19 test result or a healthcare provider’s note for employees who are sick to validate their illness, qualify for sick leave, or to return to work. Healthcare provider offices and medical facilities may be extremely busy and not able to provide such documentation in a timely manner.
For more information, visit Guidance for Increased Absenteeism/Sick Leave Policies.
The CDC also recommends the following:
•Cleaning staff should immediately report breaches in personal protective equipment (PPE) (e.g., tear in gloves) or any potential exposures to their supervisor.
•Cleaning staff and others should clean hands often, including immediately after removing gloves.
I am concerned about co-workers who are coming to work sick, not following the stay at home order when not at work, or who have returned from travel to an area with high community spread.
What should I do if I don’t want to be around them?
You can speak with your supervisor or human resources department about your concerns and related workplace policies.
For more information, visit Business and Workplaces.
Can my business operate in Phase Three?
Please review Executive Order 67 issued by Governor Ralph Northam to determine the appropriate category for your business.
Select one of the following:
CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE
Critical Infrastructure describes parts of the workforce that are necessary for our society to function. This includes utilities, public works, and healthcare.
There are different screening, testing, and other recommendations specific for critical infrastructure workers.
All other categories of business should utilize teleworking as much as possible. Where telework is not feasible, such businesses should adhere to the Guidelines for All Business Sectors, including the recommendations for physical distancing, enhanced cleaning and sanitization, and enhanced workplace safety.
As we move into Phase Three, we must remember that the virus is still in our communities. We must remain cautious—continue teleworking whenever possible, wash our hands frequently, do not touch our faces, and wear face coverings. Through these efforts, we will continue to protect ourselves, our families, and our fellow Virginians as we respond to this emergency.
All businesses should follow the Guidelines for All Businesses Sectors, including the recommendations for physical distancing, enhanced cleaning and sanitization, and enhanced workplace safety.
If your business is not covered in the executive order, your business should still follow the Guidelines for All Businesses Sectors, including the recommendations for physical distancing, enhanced cleaning and sanitization, and enhanced workplace safety.
CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE
Critical Infrastructure describes parts of the workforce that are necessary for our society to function. This includes utilities, public works, and healthcare.
There are different screening, testing, and other recommendations specific for critical infrastructure workers.
During Phase Three, restaurants, dining establishments, food courts, breweries, microbreweries, distilleries, wineries, and tasting rooms should continue to offer takeout and delivery options. If businesses choose to open to dine-in customers, they may do so in indoor and outdoor spaces and must adhere to the additional requirements for service as outlined in the Guidelines for All Business Sectors.
Additional information can be found at VDH Guidance for Food Establishments Regarding COVID‐19.
Retail businesses must strictly adhere to the physical distancing guidelines, enhanced cleaning and disinfection practices, and enhanced workplace safety practices provided in the Guidelines for All Business Sectors. Establishments must either implement these requirements or close.
Additional information can be found at COVID-19 Guidance for Retail Workers.
There is no evidence of food or food packaging being associated with transmission of COVID-19.
Unlike foodborne gastrointestinal (GI) viruses, like norovirus and hepatitis A, that often make people ill through contaminated food, SARS-CoV-2, which causes COVID-19, is a virus that causes respiratory illness.
Foodborne exposure to this virus is not known to be a route of transmission. The virus is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person.
Talk with your workers about employee health requirements and expectations.
Perform routine environmental cleaning of frequently touched surfaces.
Take additional precautions for employees, including:
•Keep employee bathrooms stocked with soap and paper towels.
•Ensure adequate supply and convenient placement of alcohol based hand sanitizer.
•Provide extra supplies of napkins or tissues for coughing or sneezing.
•Ensure delivery drivers and other persons who provide services to the establishment abide by social distancing guidelines.
Businesses should continue to offer takeout and delivery options. If dining in, all parties must be separated by at least six feet, including in the bar area.
If tables are not movable, seat parties at least six feet apart, including in the bar area.
Spacing must also allow for physical distancing from areas outside of the facility’s control (i.e., provide physical distancing from persons on public sidewalks).
Operate and maintain operational changes that allow increased employee separation.
Promote effective hygiene practices, including frequent and proper hand washing and routine cleaning of all surfaces.