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Reopening a business in Michigan? Here are the minimum regulatory requirements
May 19, 2020
May 19, 2020
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed an executive order Monday laying out extensive workplace safety requirements for businesses to adhere to as they reopen after the two-month coronavirus pandemic shutdown.
Businesses that have already reopened are required to submit a COVID-19 preparedness and response plan by June 1 to the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity that's consistent with Occupational Health and Safety Administration regulations, Whitmer said Monday.
Northern Michigan restaurants, bars, retail stores and offices reopening Friday will have two weeks to develop a written plan that "must be made readily available to employees, labor unions and customers" online or a printed copy, according to Whitmer's Executive Order No. 91.
All other businesses will have to create a similar plan within two weeks of reopening for in-person activities, Whitmer said.
Here are 10 requirements spelled out in Whitmer's executive order that all businesses must adhere to:
Restaurants Restaurants in 17 counties in the northern Lower Peninsula and the Upper Peninsula that are permitted to reopen Friday at 50 percent capacity will have to close their waiting areas and "ask customers to wait in cars for a call when their table is ready."
Self-serve salad bars have to remain closed and hosts and servers are required to wear face masks inside the dining room of each restaurant or bar, according to Whitmer's order.
The order also requires restaurants to close "immediately if an employee shows multiple symptoms of COVID-19 (fever, atypical shortness of breath, atypical cough) and perform a deep clean, consistent with guidance from FDA and the Center for Disease Control." The deep cleaning can occur overnight, according to the order.
In the officeIn office workplace settings, water fountains must be turned off and face-coverings will be required for in-person meetings and in restrooms and hallways, according to the order.
Manufacturing facilities must implement additional work shift schedules to reduce the number of people in a facility at one time, as well as stagger break times and lunch hours.
The order also requires manufacturers to "reduce congestion in common spaces wherever practicable by, for example, closing salad bars and buffets within cafeterias and kitchens, requiring individuals to sit at least six feet from one another, placing markings on the floor to allow social distancing while standing in line, offering boxed food via delivery or pick-up points, and reducing cash payments."
When a worker in a manufacturing facility tests positive for COVID-19, the company is required to "maintain a central log for symptomatic employees or employees who received a positive test for COVID-19" and "send potentially exposed individuals home upon identification of a positive case of COVID-19 in the facility."
Businesses that have already reopened are required to submit a COVID-19 preparedness and response plan by June 1 to the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity that's consistent with Occupational Health and Safety Administration regulations, Whitmer said Monday.
Northern Michigan restaurants, bars, retail stores and offices reopening Friday will have two weeks to develop a written plan that "must be made readily available to employees, labor unions and customers" online or a printed copy, according to Whitmer's Executive Order No. 91.
All other businesses will have to create a similar plan within two weeks of reopening for in-person activities, Whitmer said.
Here are 10 requirements spelled out in Whitmer's executive order that all businesses must adhere to:
- Businesses have to provide training workplace infection-control practices, reporting unsafe work conditions, how to properly use personal protective equipment (PPE) and steps for notifying supervisors that they have symptoms of COVID-19 or have a suspected or confirmed diagnosis.
- Businesses must have protocols in place for cleaning and disinfecting a workplace in the event that an employee or contractor tests positive for COVID-19.
- They also must make cleaning supplies "available to employees upon entry" and "provide time for employees to wash hands frequently or to use hand sanitizer."
- When an employee tests positive for COVID-19, the employer is required to contact the local health department and "any coworkers, contractors or suppliers who may have come into contact with the person."
- All employees or contractors entering a workplace are required to go through a daily self-screening of their current health conditions and whether they've had a "suspected or confirmed exposure to people with possible COVID-19." Employers are required to keep records of the daily health screenings, according to the order.
- Employers must provide non-medical grade masks to all employees. Surgical and N95 masks remain reserved for health care professionals to preserve PPE supplies for front-line workers.
- Employers also are required to encourage employees to wear gloves, masks and use hand sanitizer when using public transportation to get to work.
- Employers are to keep workers at least 6 feet apart "to the maximum extent possible." When they can't be more than 6 feet apart, employees are required to wear face masks. When workers have to be within 3 feet of each other, employers should "consider" providing face shields, according to the governor's order.
- Businesses are to restrict business-related travel for "essential" purposes only and "promote" remote working.
- Employers are prohibited from firing, disciplining "or otherwise retaliating against employees who stay home or who leave work when they are at particular risk of infecting others with COVID-19."
Restaurants Restaurants in 17 counties in the northern Lower Peninsula and the Upper Peninsula that are permitted to reopen Friday at 50 percent capacity will have to close their waiting areas and "ask customers to wait in cars for a call when their table is ready."
Self-serve salad bars have to remain closed and hosts and servers are required to wear face masks inside the dining room of each restaurant or bar, according to Whitmer's order.
The order also requires restaurants to close "immediately if an employee shows multiple symptoms of COVID-19 (fever, atypical shortness of breath, atypical cough) and perform a deep clean, consistent with guidance from FDA and the Center for Disease Control." The deep cleaning can occur overnight, according to the order.
In the officeIn office workplace settings, water fountains must be turned off and face-coverings will be required for in-person meetings and in restrooms and hallways, according to the order.
Manufacturing facilities must implement additional work shift schedules to reduce the number of people in a facility at one time, as well as stagger break times and lunch hours.
The order also requires manufacturers to "reduce congestion in common spaces wherever practicable by, for example, closing salad bars and buffets within cafeterias and kitchens, requiring individuals to sit at least six feet from one another, placing markings on the floor to allow social distancing while standing in line, offering boxed food via delivery or pick-up points, and reducing cash payments."
When a worker in a manufacturing facility tests positive for COVID-19, the company is required to "maintain a central log for symptomatic employees or employees who received a positive test for COVID-19" and "send potentially exposed individuals home upon identification of a positive case of COVID-19 in the facility."
America is beginning to consider what it will take to restart the economy after a lengthy shutdown.
It’s increasingly clear that the most likely approach is a gradual, phased reopening linked to regional conditions. But any effort to bring millions of people back to work comes with lots of big, complicated questions.
It’s increasingly clear that the most likely approach is a gradual, phased reopening linked to regional conditions. But any effort to bring millions of people back to work comes with lots of big, complicated questions.
Detroit Regional Chamber Resources - The Return to the Workplace
1. Michigan Work Share Program Alternative to Layoffs, Tool to Bring Employees Back From Unemployment
2. Q&A: Government Relations VP Brad Williams Breaks Down What is Happening in Lansing
3. 3 Most Important Conversations the Chamber Had this Week with Public Officials, Including Construction to Open May 7
4. Chamber, Michigan Economic Recovery Council Advises Gov. Whitmer on Reopening Based on Risk, Workplace Environment, Geography
5. Resources for a Successful Restart, Clark Hill Offers Guidance on Bringing Employees Back
6. 7 Keys to Engaging Government Officials Amid COVID-19
1. Michigan Work Share Program Alternative to Layoffs, Tool to Bring Employees Back From Unemployment
2. Q&A: Government Relations VP Brad Williams Breaks Down What is Happening in Lansing
3. 3 Most Important Conversations the Chamber Had this Week with Public Officials, Including Construction to Open May 7
4. Chamber, Michigan Economic Recovery Council Advises Gov. Whitmer on Reopening Based on Risk, Workplace Environment, Geography
5. Resources for a Successful Restart, Clark Hill Offers Guidance on Bringing Employees Back
6. 7 Keys to Engaging Government Officials Amid COVID-19
Bringing employees back and internal operations
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The US Chamber has created great resources
to help individuals navigate the return to the workplace
in the following weeks
www.uschamberfoundation.org/path-forward
to help individuals navigate the return to the workplace
in the following weeks
www.uschamberfoundation.org/path-forward
As public health authorities across the United States work to control the spread of COVID-19, the country is beginning an important conversation about responsible ways to restart the economy that requires planning and novel support.
From barriers to reopening, to big questions about immunity and liability, to ways employers can incorporate innovative approaches to safety into the workplace, the U.S. Chamber Foundation’s program series Path Forward fosters dialogue on helping America prepare to restart the economy and get millions of people back to work. Featuring deep-dive conversations with a cross-sector of experts led by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce President Suzanne Clark, Path Forward airs twice-weekly on Mondays and Thursdays at 3:00 p.m. EST to explore the complex issues that must be considered as part of a responsible reopening strategy. |
America is beginning to consider what it will take to restart the economy after a lengthy shutdown. It’s increasingly clear that the most likely approach is a gradual, phased reopening linked to regional conditions. But any effort to bring millions of people back to work comes with lots of big, complicated questions.
Path Forward, a new program from the U.S. Chamber Foundation, is designed to help business and community leaders find the answers they need to develop a responsible reopening strategy. When will it be safe to reopen? How do we protect employees and customers from the coronavirus? Where will my staff get COVID-19 tests? Masks? Gloves? Who’s going to pay for all this? Each episode features conversations between the U.S. Chamber of Commerce President Suzanne Clark and experts with practical recommendations for businesses of all sizes. |
Michigan State Extension
Tourism Impact Information 4-23-2020
Tourism Impact Information 4-23-2020