This news item expired on Monday, March 9, 2020 so the information below could be outdated or incorrect.
Posted March 13, 2020
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) has new recommendations for employers and employees:
- Use teleworking technologies to the greatest extent possible.
- Stagger work schedules.
- Consider canceling non-essential travel.
Businesses should also:
- Hold larger meetings virtually, to the extent possible.
- Arrange the workspace to optimize distance between employees, ideally at least six feet apart.
- Urge high risk employees to stay home.
- Urge employees to stay home when they are sick and maximize flexibility in sick leave benefits.
- Follow NCDHHS guidance for gatherings of 100 people or under. It is recommended that gatherings of more than 100 people be postponed or canceled.
Other tips for businesses:
- Reinforce good hand hygiene tips and other common-sense precautions with employees and patrons.
- Review policies and procedures for remote or teleworking where possible.
- Cross-train employees for key functions so that daily schedules can continue relatively uninterrupted by potential employee absences.
- Review absenteeism policies to make sure employees are not being encouraged to come to work if they are sick.
- Establish a relationship with your local health department and communicate with them if you have any questions or concerns about coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
- Review recommendations for cleaning practices.
- Work to make sure fear and anxiety don't lead to social stigma toward any employees.
- Make sure you are getting reliable information from sources like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and NCDHHS.
More information is available from the CDC on how businesses can plan and respond.
If you have nonmedical questions about preparing your business or organization, contact ready@buncombecounty.org.