Businesses/Workplace

More

COVID-19 Employer Playbook

State released an employer playbook for a safe reopening - New!

Information for businesses with a COVID positive employee

Download this information to learn more about what to do if you have a positive or potentially positive employee in your workplace.

FAQs about COVID positive employees - English

FAQs about COVID positive employees -Spanish

COVID Update Mailer to Businesses

This mailer was sent to all businesses. If you did not get a copy, you can download it here.

Business mailer - English

Business mailer - Spanish

Information for businesses that have been closed

If you are reopening your business, please take note of the important information below:

Thoroughly flush stagnant water lines prior to restoring full operation if you have closed or had reduced water usage. Buildings and large service connections that have shut down or significantly reduced water use have an increased risk of Legionella growth and leaching of lead and copper. For more information contact your local water supplier if you have one, and/or find more information here:
United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Guidance for Building Water Systems
Washington State Department of Health, COVID-19 Guidance for Legionella and Building Water System Closures

Information for businesses that are open

If your business is open, you should take steps to ensure the safety and health of your workers
Direct sick employees to stay home.
Establish routine cleaning throughout the workplace. Learn more about disinfection practices.
Reduce travel. Encourage video conferencing and limit gatherings.
Consider family-friendly policies.
See Cal/OSHA Interim Guidance for General Industry.
Follow CDC guidance on keeping the workplace safe (pdf)
See our reopening page for business and sector specific guidance.

CDC recommended strategies for employers

Direct sick employees to stay home:

Employees who have symptoms of acute respiratory illness are recommended to stay home and not come to work until they are free of fever (100.4° F [38.0° C] or greater using an oral thermometer), signs of a fever, and any other symptoms for at least 24 hours, without the use of fever-reducing or other symptom-altering medicines (e.g. cough suppressants). Employees should notify their supervisor and stay home if they are sick.
Ensure that your sick leave policies are flexible and consistent with public health guidance and that employees are aware of these policies.
Talk with companies that provide your business with contract or temporary employees about the importance of sick employees staying home and encourage them to develop non-punitive leave policies.
Do not require a healthcare provider’s note for employees who are sick with acute respiratory illness to validate their illness or to return to work, as healthcare provider offices and medical facilities may be extremely busy and not able to provide such documentation in a timely way.

Separate sick employees:

CDC recommends that employees who appear to have acute respiratory illness symptoms (i.e. cough, shortness of breath) upon arrival to work or become sick during the day should be separated from other employees and be sent home immediately. Sick employees should cover their noses and mouths with a tissue when coughing or sneezing (or an elbow or shoulder if no tissue is available).

Emphasize staying home when sick, respiratory etiquette and hygiene by all employees:

Place posters that encourage staying home when sick, cough and sneeze etiquette, and hand hygiene at the entrance to your workplace and in other workplace areas where they are likely to be seen.
Provide tissues and no-touch disposal receptacles for use by employees.
Instruct employees to clean their hands often with an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60-95% alcohol, or wash their hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Soap and water should be used preferentially if hands are visibly dirty.
Provide soap and water and alcohol-based hand rubs in the workplace. Ensure that adequate supplies are maintained. Place hand rubs in multiple locations or in conference rooms to encourage hand hygiene.
Visit the coughing and sneezing etiquette and clean hands webpage for more information.
Employees who are well but who have a sick family member at home with COVID-19 should notify their supervisor and refer to CDC guidance for how to conduct a risk assessment of their potential exposure.
If an employee is confirmed to have COVID-19, employers should inform fellow employees of their possible exposure to COVID-19 in the workplace but maintain confidentiality as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Employees exposed to a co-worker with confirmed COVID-19 should refer to CDC guidance for how to conduct a risk assessment of their potential exposure.

Perform routine cleaning:

Routinely clean all frequently touched surfaces in the workplace, such as workstations, countertops, and doorknobs. Use the cleaning agents that are usually used in these areas and follow the directions on the label.
Provide disposable wipes so that commonly used surfaces (for example, doorknobs, keyboards, remote controls, desks) can be wiped down by employees before each use.

Advise employees before traveling to take certain steps:

Check the CDC’s Traveler’s Health Notices for the latest guidance and recommendations for each country to which you will travel. Specific travel information for travelers going to and returning from China, and information for aircrew, can be found at on the CDC website.
Advise employees to check themselves for symptoms of acute respiratory illness before starting travel and notify their supervisor and stay home if they are sick.
Ensure employees who become sick while traveling or on temporary assignment understand that they should notify their supervisor and should promptly call a healthcare provider for advice if needed.
If outside the United States, sick employees should follow your company’s policy for obtaining medical care or contact a healthcare provider or overseas medical assistance company to assist them with finding an appropriate healthcare provider in that country. A U.S. consular officer can help locate healthcare services. However, U.S. embassies, consulates, and military facilities do not have the legal authority, capability, and resources to evacuate or give medicines, vaccines, or medical care to private U.S. citizens overseas.

Financial Assistance

The Small Business Administration (SBA) and the Department of Treasury have begun releasing the information that will guide the programs created through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.

Learn more at the Small Business Owner's Guide to the CARES Act

Guidances for Food Facilities

More Resources

Guidance for disinfecting in English and Spanish

Learn more about Physical Distancing here

Learn more about Impacted Services here

Learn more about what to do If You Are Sick here

Learn more about the County Health Officer's guidance on face coverings here.

PPE for Businesses

The state has launched a website for specific business sectors reopened in California.

Please note that at this time, they are filling orders based on a two week supply and the entity must include justification for their order.

www.safelymakingca.org

PPE Suppliers

Local Assistance Programs

Businesses/Workplace More