Each business MUST have a plan to protect employees and consumers, make the physical work space safer and implement processes that lower risk of infection in the business. In developing these Exposure Action Plans/Policies, businesses will need to consider three main factors:
- Protections for employees and customers. These include possible adjustments to workplace hours and shift design as necessary to reduce density in the workplace; enacting social distancing protocols, and restricting non-essential travel for employees.
- Changes to the physical workspace, including requiring all employees and customers to wear masks if in frequent close contact with others and implementing strict cleaning and sanitation standards.
- Consider implementing processes that meet our changing public health obligations, like screening individuals when they enter the workplace, or reporting confirmed positives to customers. While these processes will vary from business to business, almost everyone will have to adapt, in some way or another, to our new normal.
The North Country Chamber of Commerce is hosting several business training sessions to assist businesses in understanding the guidelines and develop the required forms and plans. To learn more about these free sessions please visit their website. Sample templates and forms are also available on their website as well as previous webinars already held.