Return to normal operations: COVID-19 mitigation strategies for workplaces

Abstract

As spikes and resurgences of COVID-19 cases continue to increase in different geographical regions across the United States, more and more companies are left with numerous questions about reopening or restarting their operations. The current pandemic in the United States poses unique challenges unlike any other for businesses and employers as they begin to reopen. Businesses and employers are forced to ensure that they are not only in compliance with federal guidances but also with state and local guidances. In addition to the complex and ever evolving guidances, we are still learning about and adapting best practices during these reopening phases. Therefore, it is crucial for businesses to stay up-to-date not only with the released guidances but also with the latest understanding and information about SARS-CoV-2. As part of reopening, it is crucial for businesses to have comprehensive reopening plans prior to restart of operation. These plans must be clear, concise, and flexible enough to include updated guidances and information. In this publication, we describe reopening frameworks, considerations, and strategies that can be used as a starting point for businesses to further optimize and tailor to their unique operations.

Keywords

COVID-19 SARS-CoV-2 occupational health pandemic planning

Get full access to this article

View all access options for this article.

References

American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA) (2020) Back to work safely. American Industrial Hygiene Association. Available at: https://www.backtoworksafely.org/ (accessed 13 August 2020).

The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) (2020) ASHRAE position document on infectious aerosols. The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers. Available at: https://www.ashrae.org/file%20library/about/position%20documents/pd_infectiousaerosols_2020.pdf (accessed 4 September 2020).

Beaubien

(2020) Singapore wins praise for its COVID-19 strategy. The U.S. does not. National Public Radio (NPR). 12 March 2020. Available at: http://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2020/03/12/814522489/singapore-wins-praise-for-its-covid-19-strategy-the-u-s-does-not (accessed 13 August 2020).

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) (2020a) Rodent control after a disaster. U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/disasters/rodents.html (accessed 13 August 2020).

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) (2020b) Guidance for reopening buildings after prolonged shutdown or reduced operation. U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/php/building-water-system.html (accessed 13 August 2020).

Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) (2020) COVID-19 and press freedom. Committee to Protect Journalists. Available at: https://cpj.org/covid-19/ (accessed 13 August 2020).

European Commission (2020) A European roadmap to lifting coronavirus containment measures. Available at: https://ec.europa.eu/info/live-work-travel-eu/health/coronavirus-response/european-roadmap-lifting-coronavirus-containment-measures_en (accessed 13 August 2020).

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) (2016) National Disaster Recovery Framework. US Federal Emergency Management Agency 2nd ed. Available at: https://www.fema.gov/media-library-data/1466014998123-4bec8550930f774269e0c5968b120ba2/National_Disaster_Recovery_Framework2nd.pdf (accessed 4 September 2020).

National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) (2017) Strengthening the Disaster Resilience of the Academic Biomedical Research Community: Protecting the Nation’s Investment. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. Washington, DC: National Academies Press.

10.

National Governors Association (NGA) (2020) Roadmap to Recovery: A Public Health Guide for Governors. National Governors Association. Available at: https://www.nga.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/NGA-Report.pdf (accessed 5 September 2020).

11.

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) (2020) Guidance on returning to work. U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Available at: https://www.osha.gov/Publications/OSHA4045.pdf (accessed 13 August 2020).

12.

The White House and CDC (2020) Opening Up America Again. Available at: https://www.whitehouse.gov/openingamerica/ (accessed 13 August 2020).