COVID-19 Moving Forward Workplaces

As New York State shares guidelines around a safe and coordinated reopening of communities, the Tompkins County Health Department will update information, FAQs, and local resources here.

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• Reopening Phases and NYS Guidance, click here 
• On this page
  • Local economic development partners 
  • Infection Prevention measures on the jobsite 
  • Protocols for returning to work after COVID-19 infection  

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Reopening Poster for All Workplaces
“We are Following NYS Guidance During COVID-19”

PHASED REOPENING is the NYS plan for reopening non-essential businesses. It is based on the ability of customers and workers to maintain safe distance. Detailed information on how to maximize public health safety at the workplace is provided in NYS Master Guidance and Summary Guidance documents.

A condition for your business or entity to reopen is to file an attestation with NYS, affirming that you have read and understand your obligation to operate in accordance with the guidance provided for your specific industry. To help build public confidence in your commitment to their safety, Tompkins County is providing a poster that you can use as a checklist to display at your workplace. The items in the list come directly from the Master Guidance provided by NYS. It will help visitors know what to expect when they enter your workplace.

• Legal size (8-1/2 x 14).
• Use as a fillable PDF format, or print and write in.
• Provided to all businesses that have submitted to NYS an Affirmation that they will follow Master Guidance provided for their industry.
  • Instructions for submitting your affirmation are on the last page of every Master Guidance document. Click here for links to the Master Guidance documents by industry. 
  • The County is provided with a list of all submitted affirmations. A link to download poster will be emailed to newly affirmed entities on Fridays. 
• Text of the poster and references for each list item is below.
• If you have questions, please contact one of the economic development partners listed below.
• How to file a local complaint related to Phased Reopening guidelines.
• Additional Workplace Resources 

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We are Following NYS Guidance During COVID-19

This business/ organization affirms that we understand our obligation to operate in accordance with NYS Department of Health Guidance applicable to the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency. This includes but is not limited to physical distancing, use of PPE, hand hygiene, regular cleaning and disinfecting of frequently touched and high risk areas, and daily employee health screening. Please be aware that the following measures are in effect in this space.

Affirmation submitted to NYSDOH (DATE)

Using the link at the end of Master Guidance documents, the business or entity must complete a form affirming that they have reviewed and understand the state-issued industry guidelines, and that they will implement them. Tompkins County receives notification when your form is submitted.

Maximum occupancy for safe distancing (# | NA)

No more than 50% of the maximum set by the certificate of occupancy can be in any particular area at one time. Or, no more than can be accommodated while keeping 6-foot distance.
(May not apply to some commercial or office spaces.)

Face covering required in shared areas (YES | NO)

Customers should only be allowed to enter a retail store if they wear a face covering. In other settings, employees and visitors must wear face coverings in common areas, elevators, lobbies, and between areas, and be ready to do so if another person unexpectedly comes within 6-feet.

One-way aisles/ hallways (YES | NO | NA)

Bi-directional foot traffic should be reduced in narrow aisles, hallways, or spaces, and one-way aisles or otherwise rearranging traffic flow should be considered.

Daily employee health screening (YES | NO)

Mandatory daily health screening practices must be implemented for employees, and coordinated so employees don’t intermingle before being screened. Screening may be performed remotely. A questionnaire may be used to screen for symptoms, testing, and proximity to known cases.

Site safety plan completed (YES | NO)

Completed safety plans must be conspicuously posted on the premises of the workplace.

Cleaning & disinfecting plan (YES | NO)

Cleaning logs must be maintained that include the date, time, and scope of cleaning. Hand hygiene stations must be provided and maintained. Retail hours should be adjusted as necessary to allow full cleaning procedures.

Name(s) Designated Site Safety Monitor(s)

A site safety monitor must be designated whose responsibilities include continuous compliance with all aspects of the site safety plan.

 

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Infection Prevention Measures On the Jobsite

• Standard workplace guidance applies, such as stay home if sick, wash hands often, cover coughs and sneezes, practice social distancing.
• Additional measures include reduce crew size to the extent possible while maintaining safety, minimize ride sharing, avoid sharing tools, clean and disinfect frequently all frequently touched surfaces, minimize dust and airborne contaminants, use proper PPE.
• Click here to download a posting sign with this information (letter-size PDF, 148KB).

 

Protocols for Essential Personnel to Return to Work Following COVID-19 Exposure or Infection

Essential personnel who have been exposed to a confirmed case of COVID-19 can be permitted to work in the required workplace setting if all of the following conditions are met:

1. Working from home would not be feasible for job duties;
2. Personnel are asymptomatic;
3. Personnel quarantine themselves when not at work;
4. Personnel undergo temperature monitoring and symptom checks upon arrival to work and at least every 12 hours while at work, and self-monitor (i.e. take temperature, assess for symptoms) twice a day when at home;
5. Personnel required to interact with individuals within 6 feet should wear a facemask1 while working for 14 days following the last exposure;
6. Personnel whose job duties permit a separation of greater than 6 feet should have environmental controls in place to ensure adequate separation is maintained, and do not need to wear a facemask;
7. If personnel develop symptoms consistent with COVID-19 (e.g., fever, cough, or shortness of breath) while working, they should immediately stop work and isolate at home; and
8. Testing will be arranged for any personnel with symptoms.

Essential personnel with confirmed or suspected COVID-19 can be permitted to work in the required workplace setting if all of the following conditions are met:

1. Working from home would adversely impact essential services or functions, including critical public health and public works infrastructure in New York or the response to the COVID-19 public health emergency;
2. Personnel have maintained isolation for at least 7 days after illness onset (i.e. symptoms first appeared) and have not had a fever for at least 72 hours, without the use of fever- reducing medications, and with other symptoms improving;
3. Personnel who are recovering from COVID-19, according to the above condition, must wear a facemask* for 14 days following onset of illness.

* For the purposes of this guidance, a facemask is a well-secured mask that covers the mouth and nose. No personal fit testing is necessary for a facemask.

Download

• Protocols for Essential Personnel Returning to Work (NYSDOH, Rev.2, 5/31/20, PDF)
• Revised Protocols for Personnel in Healthcare and Other Direct Care Settings to Return to Work Following COVID-19 Exposure or Infection (NYSDOH, Rev. 7/24/2020, PDF)