COVID-19 and the Business Community
As a local organization committed to maintaining a positive business climate we want our members to know that we hear your frustration and concern for unknown factors such as duration, intensity, threat to health and livelihood, impact on availability of seasonal workforce, and potential economic impact associated with the spread of COVID-19. Please reach out to us if you have specific concerns or input; we will do our best to find answers to your questions.
To protect the community and provide assurance to visitors, we ask and encourage all member businesses to take the following precautions in the workplace to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and any other viral illness:
- Strive to adhere to all guidelines and precautions advised by the Center for Disease Control, as well as recommendations from state and local officials.
- Require sick employees to stay home. Employees who have symptoms of acute respiratory illness should not be permitted to come to work until they are 24 hours free of fever.
- Grant an abundance of flexibility to employees and enact non-punitive sick leave policies until the threat level diminishes. As conditions worsen health professionals may not be able to accommodate requests for a healthcare provider’s note to validate illness.
- Enact flexible policies that permit employees to stay home to care for a sick family member. Be aware that more employees may need to stay at home to care for sick children or other sick family members than is usual. Be understanding as parents work to find accommodation for children who may be required to stay home from school unexpectedly.
- Emphasize staying home when sick, respiratory etiquette, and hand hygiene by all employees.
- Provide tissues, sanitizer, hand washing facilities, and no-touch disposal receptacles for use by employees; ensure adequate supplies are maintained.
- Perform routine environmental cleaning of all frequently touched surfaces daily, or more often as needed.
Also, please remember that it is illegal to make determinations of risk based on race or country of origin, and it is an employer's responsibility to maintain confidentiality of employees with confirmed COVID-19 (or any illness).
A few helpful resources for you to review:
We will keep you updated if conditions change. Again, your questions and suggestions are always encouraged and appreciated.
Thank you,
Jamie Westfall
Executive Director
