COVID-19: Guide to Reopening & Helpful Links
NY Forward - https://forward.ny.gov/
- Each business and industry must have a plan to protect employees and consumers, make the physical workspace safer and implement processes that lower risk of infection in the business
- Governor Cuomo has stated that businesses need to design a “new normal” based on these considerations:
- People: gathering size; social distance; PPE; vulnerable populations; employees & customers; mental health & wellness
- Places: frequent use; travel & transportation; access & screening; capacity requirements; cleaning & hygiene
- Processes: test, trace, & isolate; training; risk; people policies; communication
- The plan must be affirmed through the NY Portal, must be visible and public, and must be attainable. No approval is needed.
- The NY Portal and a business safety plan template are available here: https://forward.ny.gov/industries-reopening-phase?fbclid=IwAR2nkghI81SB2ZZgZQjV-eOx5x2_r8O5VJ2yiXXmRlJaXovyI-CU0ARNxAQ
- The schedule for reopening as of now is:
- Phase One: construction, manufacturing, wholesale supply chain, select retail using curbside pickup only, agriculture, forestry, fishing & hunting
- Phase Two: professional services, finance & insurance, retail, administrative support, real estate & rental leasing
- Phase Three: restaurants & food service, hotels & accommodations
- Phase Four: arts, entertainment & recreation, education
- County Executive Jason Garner’s PowerPoint from his May 12, 2020 Local Business Zoom Call is available here: http://www.gobroomecounty.com/sites/default/files/dept/exec/FINAL%20COVID-19%20Business%20Presentation.pdf
- A list of vetted vendors for PPE that Broome County has successfully contacted is available here: http://www.gobroomecounty.com/countyexec/covidbusiness
- A summary of industries reopening by phase, as well as an FAQ on NY reopening is available here: https://forward.ny.gov/industries-reopening-phase
- The NY Forward Guide Book – A Guide to Reopening New York & Building Back Better is available here: https://www.governor.ny.gov/sites/governor.ny.gov/files/atoms/files/NYForwardReopeningGuide.pdf
- The NY Regional Monitoring Dashboard is available here: https://forward.ny.gov/regional-monitoring-dashboard
- COVID-19 drive-thru testing is available through Binghamton University here: https://covid19screening.health.ny.gov/
- The Broome County COVID-19 confirmed cases map is available here: http://broomecounty.maps.arcgis.com/apps/opsdashboard/index.html#/d2a67392169942f8a2782c7d49d61c48
Federal & Other Guidance
- Considerations to continue to flatten the curve: maintain social distancing in the workplace; stagger shifts; spread out employees; limit access to or close common areas; screen employees for COVID-19 symptoms; provide PPE to employees; train employees regarding sanitation; develop a business plan regarding the various stages of reopening (i.e., opening at 25% vs 50% usual workforce)
- More information from the CDC is available here: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/guidance-business-response.html
- CDC guidance on businesses reopening is available here: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/organizations/businesses-employers.html
- The US Department of Labor has issued additional FAQs on the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, available here: https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/pandemic/ffcra-questions
- The EEOC updated their “Pandemic Preparedness in the Workplace” guidance available here: https://www.eeoc.gov/laws/guidance/pandemic-preparedness-workplace-and-americans-disabilities-act
- The World Health Organization has published information for getting your workplace read for COVID-19 here: https://www.who.int/docs/default-source/coronaviruse/advice-for-workplace-clean-19-03-2020.pdf
- The Trump Administration’s Opening Up America Again plan is available here: https://www.whitehouse.gov/openingamerica/
The Attorneys at Levene Gouldin & Thompson, LLP are available to provide advice and counsel concerning matters related to COVID-19.