COVID-19 Update
UPDATED: Coronavirus Business Continuity
Plan – Considerations Business Closure
and Exemption by Government

This GAWDA Safety Alert is issued to inform GAWDA members of current Considerations when forming COVID-19 Business Continuity Plan and CISA Guidance for Critical Workers with exposure/suspected exposure.

Safety – Coronavirus Update 

The Cyber Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has issued “Implementing Safety Practices for Critical Infrastructure Workers Who May Have Had Exposure to a Person with Suspected or Confirmed COVID-19” which states: “critical infrastructure workers may be permitted to continue work following potential exposure to COVID-19, provided they remain asymptomatic and additional precautions are implemented to protect them and the community.”

CISA defines Potential exposure means having close contact (<6 ft.) with anyone in a household that is confirmed or suspected to have COVID-19. Additional practices/precautions prior to and during their work shift:

• Pre-Screen: Employers should measure the employee’s temperature and assess symptoms prior to them starting work. Ideally, temperature checks should happen before the individual enters the facility.
• Regular Monitoring: As long as the employee doesn’t have a temperature or symptoms, they should self-monitor under the supervision of their employer’s occupational health program.
• Wear a Mask: The employee should wear a face mask at all times while in the workplace for 14 days after last exposure. Employers can issue facemasks or can approve employees’ supplied cloth face coverings in the event of shortages.
• Social Distance: The employee should maintain 6 feet and practice social distancing as work duties permit in the workplace.
• Disinfect and Clean workspaces: Clean and disinfect all areas such as offices, bathrooms, common areas, shared electronic equipment routinely.

If the employee becomes sick during the day, they should be sent home immediately. Surfaces in their workspace should be cleaned and disinfected. Information on persons who had contact with the ill employee during the time the employee had symptoms and 2 days prior to symptoms should be compiled. Others at the facility with close contact within 6 feet of the employee during this time would be considered exposed.

If you choose to follow these guidelines, please train your employees on the guidelines, document the training and post the  Dos-and-Don’ts poster at your locations.

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Attached to this Safety Alert is the document “Considerations for COVID-19 Business Continuity Plan.” This document is being provided to GAWDA members as guidance for consideration since each member’s business is unique.

The business continuity plan has four stages of response with assignments for Leadership, Customer/Suppliers, Employees and Facilities. The first stage establishes an overall plan, including communication and training. The second stage considers the business response to a reported infection from a customer site. The third stage is designed for a presumptive positive test at the worksite and the fourth is a confirmed case of COVID-19 on site. This guidance is by no means all-encompassing but provides the basic elements for a business continuity plan.

This plan has been updated to reflect necessary changes during this urgent time.

You will find the changes highlighted in yellow on this document. Please click here to download the document.