COVID-19 Update: CDC Guidelines on Re-Opening & More 

By Theo Smith, Associate, Marketing & Communications

On Wednesday, May 26, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued new guidelines outlining how office buildings can begin to reopen during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The CDC urges caution to employers looking to reopen. The National Health Council (NHC) is currently developing its own framework for reopening, taking the CDC guidelines into consideration.

The CDC guidelines emphasize the importance of creating a “safe and healthy workplace to protect workers and clients.”

In order to prevent the spread of illness, the CDC recommends:

• Modifying or adjusting seats, furniture, and workstations to maintain social distancing of 6 feet between employees.
• Increasing total airflow supply to occupied spaces, if possible.
• Possibly conducting daily in-person or virtual health checks (e.g., symptoms and/or temperature screening) of employees before they enter the work site.
• Using methods to physically separate employees in all areas of the facilities including work areas and other areas such as meeting rooms, break rooms, parking lots, entrance and exit areas, and locker rooms.
• Employees who appear to have symptoms upon arrival at work or who become sick during the day should immediately be separated from others, provided a face mask if they are not using one, and sent home with instructions and guidance on how to follow-up with their health care professional.
• Performing enhanced cleaning and disinfection after anyone suspected or confirmed to have COVID-19 has been in the workplace.

For the past few months public health officials have urged residents to stay at home and practice social distancing to prevent overwhelming the health care system and slow the spread of the virus. However, all 50 states will be reopening in some way in the next few weeks. During this time, it is important to wear a face mask in public spaces and wash your hands often.

Learn more: 

Find updates, resources and more information on our COVID-19 Awareness Issue Page.

Visit the CDC’s website to learn more about COVID-19.