Resuming Business Toolkit
The Resuming Business Toolkit is designed to assist employers in slowing the spread of COVID-19 [1] and lowering the impact in their workplace when reintegrating employees into non-healthcare business settings. Not sure whether you’re ready to resume business? Use CDC’s decision tools [2-3] as a start.
This toolkit includes the following materials:
Employer Sheet to introduce employers to the contents of the toolkit and how to use the materials in non-healthcare workplaces
Restart Readiness Checklist to help make returning to work and resuming business operations as safe and healthy as possible for employers, employees, and the public
Worker Protection Tool for employers to identify protective measures for workers when interacting with each other and the public
Returning to Work Infographic to remind employees how to protect themselves and others from COVID-19 and address their potential concerns about returning to the workplace
Resources to easily access additional information using hyperlinks, URLs, and QR codes
Employer Sheet
Resuming Business Toolkit for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
The information in this toolkit is based on CDC’s Interim Guidance for Businesses and Employers to Plan and Respond to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) [4]. Be sure to thoroughly review this guidance for complete information.
Before resuming your non-healthcare business operations, it is important to consider how much the disease is spreading in your community and the readiness of workplace management to protect the safety and health of employees and the public. CDC’s decision tools [2-3] can help with determine if it is time.
For information about conditions in your community, contact your local health department [5].
This toolkit provides a checklist to prepare the workplace for operations and a tool to navigate protective options for workers. Revisit materials regularly as the COVID-19 situation can change in your community.
Get started with the Restart Readiness Checklist, working with others in management to identify which checklist items apply to your business. Revisit the list as you make progress on items and as conditions in your area change.
Select protective measures in the Worker Protection Tool, based on the nature of your employees’ interactions with other workers and/or the public. Consider whether multiple categories apply to your business, then work through those items.
Share the Returning to Work Infographic with employees. Depending on your business, consider the following ways of incorporating the infographic into the workplace:
- Print and post in common areas such as break rooms, hallways, elevators, or bathrooms.
- Email to employees, encouraging them to print a copy and place it where they will see it often in their office or workspace.
- Read content during team meetings, reminding employees to reach out with any questions.
Restart Readiness Checklist
for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
Use this checklist (for non-healthcare employers) as a guide to resuming business operations as safely and healthy as possible for you, your employees, and the public. Some items may need to be ongoing, so regularly revisit the checklist while COVID-19 cases exist. Only complete those items that apply to your business. See the Resources section for links and QR codes to web resources.
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Monitor federal, state, and local public health communications about COVID-19. | square icon | square icon | square icon | square icon |
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Reinforce how employees can protect themselves and others from COVID-19 by communicating the following: | square icon | square icon | square icon | square icon |
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Plan for conducting daily in-person or virtual health checks [15] (e.g., symptom and/or temperature screening) before employees enter the facility: | square icon | square icon | square icon | square icon |
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Conduct a hazard assessment of the workplace. | square icon | square icon | square icon | square icon |
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Plan for what to do if an employee is sick at work. | square icon | square icon | square icon | square icon |
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Develop an action plan for suspected/confirmed cases. | square icon | square icon | square icon | square icon |
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Identify a coordinator who will be responsible for COVID-19 issues and their impact at the workplace. | square icon | square icon | square icon | square icon |
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Implement sick leave policies and practices that are flexible and supportive. | square icon | square icon | square icon | square icon |
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Protect higher risk employees [21]. | square icon | square icon | square icon | square icon |
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Communicate supportive workplace policies. You may need to communicate with non-English speakers in their preferred languages. | square icon | square icon | square icon | square icon |
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Assess essential functions and the reliance that others have on your services or products. | square icon | square icon | square icon | square icon |
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Plan for employee absenteeism spikes. | square icon | square icon | square icon | square icon |
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Establish social distancing [23] policies and practices. | square icon | square icon | square icon | square icon |
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Delegate authority to local managers of your business locations to take appropriate actions outlined in their COVID-19 response plans based on their local conditions. | square icon | square icon | square icon | square icon |
Item | Completed | Ongoing | Not Started | Not Applicable |
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Implement controls according to the hierarchy of controls [24] to protect employees and the public. | square icon | square icon | square icon | square icon |
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Modify ventilation systems [25] | square icon | square icon | square icon | square icon |
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Ensure the safety of the water system of your building after a prolonged shutdown. | square icon | square icon | square icon | square icon |
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Supply employees, customers, and visitors with what they need to clean hands and cover coughs and sneezes. | square icon | square icon | square icon | square icon |
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Perform routine cleaning and disinfecting. | square icon | square icon | square icon | square icon |
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Limit travel and advise employees who must travel to take additional precautions and preparations. | square icon | square icon | square icon | square icon |
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Plan meetings and gatherings [13] to lower risk. | square icon | square icon | square icon | square icon |
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Worker Protection Tool
for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
Consider the exposure that your workers will have to potential sources of COVID-19 when you resume business operations. Use this tool to identify protective measures for interactions between workers and/or the public; revisit the tool on an ongoing basis while COVID-19 cases exist. Only complete items that apply to your business. See appendix for web resources.
Engineering | Administrative | Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) |
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Facilities and Equipment
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Management and Communications
Cleaning and Disinfection
Training
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PPE
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- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds especially after you have been in a public place, after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing, and after using others’ or shared equipment.
- If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
Avoid close contact
- Put distance (at least 6 feet) between yourself and other people.
- Wear cloth face coverings (if appropriate) when social distancing is difficult to maintain.
- Avoid using other employees’ phones, desks, offices, or other work tools and equipment, when possible. Clean and disinfect between employees if sharing occurs.
- Remember that some people without symptoms may be able to spread virus.
If you are at increased risk for severe illness…
- Contact management to request special accommodations that will allow you to perform your job duties safely.
Protect yourself and others from COVID-19 by taking everyday preventive actions.
- Coronavirus (COVID-19)
go.usa.gov/xvHEE
- Directory of local health departmentsexternal icon
bit.ly/LHDDirectory
- Symptoms of Coronavirus
go.usa.gov/xvHmR
- What to do if you are Sick
go.usa.gov/xvHsF
- Caring for Someone Sick at Home
go.usa.gov/xvHew
- When and How to Wash Your Hands
go.usa.gov/xvz7T
- Cleaning and Disinfecting Your Facility
go.usa.gov/xvzH2
- Gatherings and Community Events
go.usa.gov/xvHeJ
- Use of Cloth Face Coverings to Help Slow the Spread of COVID-19
go.usa.gov/xvzH8
- General Business Frequently Asked Questions
go.usa.gov/xvHtY
- Americans with Disabilities Actexternal icon
go.usa.gov/xvHtF
- Public Health Recommendations for Community-Related Exposure
go.usa.gov/xvHz3
- People Who Are at Higher Risk for Severe Illness
go.usa.gov/xvHJ8
- People Who Need to Take Extra Precautions
go.usa.gov/xvHSR
- Social Distancing
go.usa.gov/xvHhV
- HIERARCHY OF CONTROLS
go.usa.gov/xvHhM
- ASHRAE’s Guidance for Building Operations During the COVID-19 Pandemicexternal icon
bit.ly/ASHRAECOVID19
- Coughing and Sneezing
go.usa.gov/xv6qN
- Handwashing: Clean Hands Save Lives
go.usa.gov/xv6qJ
- Print Resources
go.usa.gov/xv6qa
- Health Promotion Materials
go.usa.gov/xv6q4
- List N: Disinfectants for Use Against SARS-CoV-2external icon
go.usa.gov/xv635
- CDC’s Travel Health Notices
go.usa.gov/xv63R
Additional Resources
COVID-19 Factsheets for Businesses and Employers
go.usa.gov/xv63M
Personal Protective Equipment
go.usa.gov/xv63h
U.S. Department of Laborexternal icon
go.usa.gov/xv6da
U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commissionexternal icon
go.usa.gov/xv6dY
Coping with Stress
go.usa.gov/xv6dg
Hazard Identification and Assessmentexternal icon
go.usa.gov/xv6dT
How to Protect Yourself and Others
go.usa.gov/xv6dV
OSHA Ten Stepspdf iconexternal icon
go.usa.gov/xv6dd
State & Territorial Health Department Websites
go.usa.gov/xv6dG