OSHA has developed new guidance to assist employers and workers in safely returning to work and reopening businesses deemed by local authorities as “non-essential businesses” during the evolving COVID-19 pandemic. Employers can use this guidance to develop policies and procedures to ensure the safety and health of their employees.

This guidance is intended to supplement Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19 and Guidelines for Opening up America Again, and focuses on developing and implementing strategies for:

  • Basic hygiene (hand hygiene, cleaning and disinfection)
  • Social distancing
  • Identification and isolation of sick employees
  • Workplace controls and flexibilities
  • Employee training

The updated guidance also includes information on planning for reopening, applicable OSHA standards and required protections in the workplace, employer FAQs and OSHA assistance and services.

Reopening should align with the lifting of stay-at-home or shelter-in-place orders and other specific requirements of the Federal Government and state, local, tribal and/or territorial (SLTT) governments, as well as with public health recommendations from the CDC and other federal requirements or guidelines. Employers should continually monitor federal, state, territorial, tribal and local government guidelines for updated information.

To learn more read OSHA’s Guidance on Returning to Work. For additional information about the COVID-19 pandemic, visit the CDC COVID-19 webpage, OSHA’s COVID-19 webpage and the National Governors Association state-by-state summary of public health criteria in reopening plans.