The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) has had devastating effects on the American economy. Large franchises have filed bankruptcy. Small businesses have shut down permanently. Millions have lost their jobs. Banks aren’t getting paid – it goes on. As such, it’s understandable why President Donald Trump and the American people are eager to see America “get back to work.” Of course, it has to be done in a safe and cautious manner.
The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) has published re-opening guidance for businesses continuing to operate or on the path to starting back up. As such, DHEC stresses that it’s critical to the state’s public and economic health that all individuals continue to follow guidelines that will minimize the virus’ spread.
What Employees Can Do
Here’s what all South Carolina employees can do:
- Wear masks or cloth face coverings, especially in cases where social distancing is not practical.
- Wear cloth face coverings if they have an underlying respiratory illness and if worn, they still have to practice social distancing.
- Continue working from home if it’s feasible for the business.
- Engage in an alternating work schedule if they’re a shift employee who works on site.
- Stay home when they have symptoms of COVID-19 that aren’t resolving. An employee should consider themselves sick if they have shortness of breath, coughing, or a fever of 100.4 degrees or higher.
- Continue social distancing (at least 6 feet apart from others).
- Continue washing hands frequently.
- Regularly clean frequently-touched surfaces.
“Businesses and employers can prevent and slow the spread of COVID-19 within the workplace. Employers should respond in a way that takes into account the level of disease transmission in their communities and revise their business response plans as needed.
“Employers should follow the White House Guidelines for Opening Up America Again, a phased approach based on current levels of transmission and healthcare capacity at the state or local level, as part of resuming business operations. Business operation decisions should be based on both the level of disease transmission in the community and your readiness to protect the safety and health of your employees and customers,” according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
To learn more, visit the CDC’s FAQs for Small Businesses page.