The Ross County Health District is tasked with handling complaints about businesses who are currently open, but not complying with the social distancing requirements as specified in the state's Public Order (page 8, number 15) and issued information and a checklist (page 8, number 18).
The health district assures me they are indeed getting complaints, but does not want to take action against businesses who don't comply with the requirements.
The best practice is to have a written policy in place detailing how your business qualifies and how you intend to be compliant.
As Lt. Gov. Jon Husted said in today's press conference, even after the stay-at-home order is lifted, businesses will still need to comply with the social distancing requirements for an unspecified period of time. Also, from the state:
These are complex times and there is no one answer to most questions. The Governor and Director of Health want to promote and protect the health of Ohioans. To that end, it is important to keep the following in mind:
The Governor’s and Director’s Orders establish the spirit and parameters of Ohio’s response.
- It impossible to anticipate all possible situations.
- The Orders are meant to be adaptable.
- It is important you consider the Orders in the spirit with which they are written.
- The LHDs are empowered to interpret the Orders and enforce those interpretations.
- As the needs of each situation vary across the state, so will the response.
Keeping within the spirit of the Orders when considering the business’ situation.
- The list of essential businesses and operations in the March 22, 2020 “Stay at Home” Order is extensive.
- The business needs to engage and discuss matters with its team, including its lawyer and any trade associations.
- Each business needs to make a good-faith determination of whether the business or operation, in whole or in part, is essential.
- Regardless of whether the business is essential or not, if work can be done from home, then have it done from home.
- Each business needs to make a good-faith effort to reduce its on-site staff to the minimum necessary to keep the location operational.
- If work needs to be done on-site, businesses need take all precautions to protect employees (6 foot distance from one another, frequent sanitation, etc.)
In this unprecedented time, management decisions will have serious consequences for all.
