Create Your Reopening Plan

Links & Resources for Reopening Your Business

Essential Issues Within Most Reopening Plans

1.  Protect Your Business

• Adopt a Reopening Plan, post in your business and website.
• Review and understand Federal and State reopening guidance.
• Create an Internal Response Team and assign roles.
• Consult with your insurance broker and lawyer to address liability issues.

2.  Protect Your Employees

• Create an office reopening plan and communicate it to employees.
• Establish employee screening and illness protocols.
• Review sick leave, telework and other HR policies to ensure compliance with Department of Labor and CDC guidelines.
• Create a strategy for employees with caregiving obligations.

3.  Protect Your Workplace

• Engage your landlord, vendors and partners in your reopening plan.
• Establish cleaning and disinfecting protocols; assign responsibility.
• Adhere to strict Social Distancing Guidelines, consider office layout modifications.
• Determine PPE usage rules.

4.  Communicate Your Plans, Practices and Policies

• Create a communications plan for your reopening strategy, utilizing your email list and social media followers.
• Develop messaging that clearly explains the safety measures your business is committed to.
• Regularly communicate and consistently repeat your health and safety plan with employees and customers.

Other Resources

• The White House’s Coronavirus Task Force reopening guidelines
• Virginia Governor Ralph Northam’s reopening strategy
• Reopening guidance from government agencies:
  1. The Center for Disease Control
  2. The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration
  3. OSHA guidance specifically for restaurants
• Reopening guidance from the private sector:
  1. The US Chamber of Commerce
  2. The Virginia Chamber of Commerce
  3. National Federation of Independent Businesses
  4. The National Restaurant Association
  5. The National Retail Federation