COVID-19 is sweeping across the world. Nowhere has been worse hit than the US. Following two record-breaking days of new cases in states that were in the process of reopening, businesses need to reassess to ensure they are following the rules. Here how to make sure your business is following the rules during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Following the rules regarding the coronavirus is tough, says law firm Davis, Saperstein & Salomon P.C., because states have very different rules on how to tackle the pandemic.
It’s vital that you prep your business for the pandemic to stay open and avoid potentially damaging lawsuits later.
Davis, Saperstein & Salomon P.C. say that the two most important factors to prevent the spread of the virus through your workplace is the use of masks and social distancing policies.
Masks, in particular, have the potential to reduce the spread of the coronavirus by up to 85%, so these should be worn at all times during business hours.
Preferably, you should have medical grade masks available. The N95 mask is one of the best masks available for blocking virus particles. These are more expensive, however, conventional cloth masks washed regularly are still extremely effective at stopping the virus. You can also use a hayfever mask as they are more likely to be surgical masks, which provide good particle filtration.
Social distancing is something else that must be enforced to the best of your abilities. Obviously, six feet is best, but if your business isn’t large enough to guarantee this, do your best.
If your business does nothing else, do what you can to regulate mask usage and social distancing.
The virus spreads through close proximity between people. Reducing the number of ‘contacts’ per day can reduce the potential entry of the virus.
One method of doing this is staggered work hours. Bringing people into your business in ten to fifteen-minute increments can stop people from congregating in entranceways and staff rooms. Likewise, allowing people to go home at slightly different times will reduce the number of contacts.
You may also want to consider preventing third-parties from entering your workplace, unless absolutely necessary.
If a visitor does need to come to your place of work, ensure they’re wearing a mask. Plus, if you run a retail business you may want to consider glass screens in front of the counters to add another layer of protection.
It’s essential for you to know the law when it comes to the coronavirus. For this reason, you should always have a lawyer by your side. You can contact Davis, Saperstein & Salomon, P.C. to help you if you’re struggling with prepping your business for reopening during the coronavirus pandemic.
Remember, you have a duty to protect your workers from harm. With the amount of confusion regarding rules in different states, you need a professional who can run through what you need to do.
Of course, if your employees don’t follow the rules there’s little you can do. But the point is you’re protected in a legal sense if you’ve made an effort to provide a safe, sterile working environment free of the virus.
What have you done to create a safe working environment for your workforce? And what are you doing to make sure your business is following the rules during the COVID-19 pandemic?
