The long wait has come to an end, and Governor Baker has unveiled the plans for reopening Massachusetts so businesses can begin to take the necessary steps to prepare. The State provided many resources to help guide businesses as they move forward.  Following, you will find these and a few other resources to help your business be ready to comply with the requirements.   If you are looking for something specific to help you during this transition, reach out to us, and we would be happy to try and assist.

Sample Facilitator Workshop Guide This facilitator guide provides planning considerations and discussion questions to help guide internal conversations and decisions around reconstituting operations that will result in an actionable road-map tailored to your organization’s unique needs and missions. Read more Employer Presentation Template Communication is key to the success of a business plan and with this transition, it will be critical to help reduce employee fears and keep them safe. Employers can use this PowerPoint presentation to educate employees on their post COVID-19 return to work action plan. This presentation is a template that should be customized to your operations. Review

MA Reopening Plan and Business Tools

Key Plan Components Four Phase Plan: There are four phases to the plan - "Start," "Cautious," "Vigilant," and "New Normal" Each phase will last at least three weeks each Progression between the phases will be determined by state officials and will be based on health metrics such as decrease of new COVID-19 cases, the decrease of hospitalization rates, and the increase of testing capacity. Phase 1 - "Start" May 18th: Essential employers, manufacturing, construction, and houses of worship are permitted to reopen with certain restrictions and capacity limitations. May 25th: Lab space, office space (with the exception of office space in the City of Boston), hair salons/barber shops, car washes, pet grooming, limited retail operations, and other specific types of businesses June 1st: office space in Boston is permitted to open To find out what phase your business may be allowed to reopen visit "When Can My Business Reopen?" Employer Requirements: Those businesses deemed essential must comply with requirements by May 25th. All other businesses must meet before they can open: Written Control Plans: Develop a written control plan outlining how they will comply with the mandatory safety standards before they reopen. The guidance provides information including templates and posters that can be used to satisfy this requirement. (See below for links) These plans do not need to be submitted for approval, but must be kept on premise and made available in the case of an inspection or outbreak.

Following are links to documents provided by the State to help you meet the requirements: COVID-19 control plan template – Template that satisfies the written control plan requirement for self-certification Compliance attestation poster – Poster that customer facing businesses are required to print, sign, and post in an area within the business premises that is visible to workers and visitors Employer and Worker posters – Posters that businesses can print and display within the business premises to describe the rules for maintaining social distancing, hygiene protocols, and cleaning and disinfecting

Sector Specific Protocols: Mandatory safety standards and recommended best practices have been released for the above business sectors of Phase 1. Visit the following for details. Link Purchasing Hygienic or Protective Supplies for the Workplace The State also provided resources to help inform employers and employees about supplies needed to return to workplaces, and connect businesses with manufacturers and distributors. In order to operate in Reopening Phase 1 and all future phases, certain supplies are required. Visit the website to review You can view the entire Reopening MA Report

What to Do After Receiving a PPP Loan

If your business secured a PPP loan, you may be wondering what your next steps should be. This article provides a general overview of PPP loans and what employers should do if they receive an approved PPP loan. Read more Visit the SBA for full details on the program.

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