Who Needs a Preparedness Plan

Employers and businesses are responsible for preventing the spread of Coronavirus in the workplace. Your business should have a plan in place for when employees come to work with symptoms, were in contact with the virus, or contract the virus at work. It is necessary that your business create a preparedness plan to handle these situations.

Under Governor Walz’s executive order, # 20-74, in paragraph 7.e., all businesses that are in operation during the peacetime emergency are required to establish a COVID-19 Preparedness Plan. This includes both critical and non-critical businesses. A business’s COVID-19 Preparedness Plan shall establish and explain the policies, practices and conditions the business will implement to meet the industry guidance for that business. The plan should have strong leadership and commitment from workers. The plan should be communicated to workers and posted amongst the workplace for workers to review.

Elements to Consider in Your Preparedness Plan

Your COVID-19 Preparedness Plan must include and describe how your business will implement the following, in compliance with the general industry guidance or the specific industry guidance applicable to your business available at the Stay Safe Minnesota website (https://staysafe.mn.gov).

1. policies and procedures that assist in the identification of sick workers and ensure sick workers stay home;

2. implementation of engineering and administrative protocols for social distancing;

3. worker hygiene and source controls, including face coverings;

4. workplace building and ventilation protocols;

5. workplace cleaning and disinfecting protocols;

6. drop-off, pick-up and delivery protections and protocols; and

7. communications and training practices and protocols.

In addition, your plan must include protocols that are specific to your industry. Some of these may include additional protections and protocols for:

• customers, clients, guests and visitors;
• face coverings and personal protective equipment (PPE);
• access and assignment;
• sanitation and hygiene;
• work clothes and handwashing;
• distancing and barriers;
• managing occupancy.

Additional protocols to limit face-to-face interaction and additional protections for receiving or exchanging payment may also be needed.

Vinna Human Resources is here to help with any questions you may have about your preparedness plan. Reach out and we can help your company approach these next steps efficiently and effectively.