The "pandemic" classification of the COVID-19 / Coronavirus has caused many questions and concerns among the business community.  

Here are some non-medical things you should should know:

WHOSE GUIDANCE DO I FOLLOW?

We do not recommend following what you heard on the news channel.  Instead ----

• In Pennsylvania, the Department of Health has responsibility to enforce the Disease Prevention and Control Law of 1955 unless there is a county level agency.

• In Allegheny County, look to the County of Allegheny Department of Health for direction.  

  •  ACDOH defers to the CDC guidance- "For all businesses and organizations, ACHD is recommending that the CDC's guidance is followed which includes actively encouraging sick employees to stay home or separating sick employees, emphasizing cough and sneeze etiquette and hand hygiene, performing route cleaning of frequently-touched surfaces and providing disposable wipes for those surfaces to be used by employees."  https://www.alleghenycounty.us/Health-Department/Resources/COVID-19/Information-for-Specific-Groups.aspx

• In Westmoreland County, look to the Pennsylvania Department of Health for direction. https://www.health.pa.gov/topics/disease/Pages/Coronavirus.aspx

• The CDC Guidance for Businesses and Employers is found here (CDC):

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    Recommended strategies for employers to use now:

    • Actively encourage sick employees to stay home:

      • Employees who have symptoms of acute respiratory illness are recommended to stay home and not come to work until they are free of fever (100.4° F [37.8° C] or greater using an oral thermometer), signs of a fever, and any other symptoms for at least 24 hours, without the use of fever-reducing or other symptom-altering medicines (e.g. cough suppressants). Employees should notify their supervisor and stay home if they are sick.

      • Ensure that your sick leave policies are flexible and consistent with public health guidance and that employees are aware of these policies.

      • Talk with companies that provide your business with contract or temporary employees about the importance of sick employees staying home and encourage them to develop non-punitive leave policies.

      • Do not require a healthcare provider's note for employees who are sick with acute respiratory illness to validate their illness or to return to work, as healthcare provider offices and medical facilities may be extremely busy and not able to provide such documentation in a timely way.

      • Employers should maintain flexible policies that permit employees to stay home to care for a sick family member. Employers should be aware that more employees may need to stay at home to care for sick children or other sick family members than is usual.

    • Separate sick employees:

      • CDC recommends that employees who appear to have acute respiratory illness symptoms (i.e. cough, shortness of breath) upon arrival to work or become sick during the day should be separated from other employees and be sent home immediately. Sick employees should cover their noses and mouths with a tissue when coughing or sneezing (or an elbow or shoulder if no tissue is available).

    • Emphasize staying home when sick, respiratory etiquette and hand hygiene by all employees:

      • Place posters that encourage staying home when sick, cough and sneeze etiquette, and hand hygiene at the entrance to your workplace and in other workplace areas where they are likely to be seen.

      • Provide tissues and no-touch disposal receptacles for use by employees.

      • Instruct employees to clean their hands often with an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60-95% alcohol, or wash their hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Soap and water should be used preferentially if hands are visibly dirty.

      • Provide soap and water and alcohol-based hand rubs in the workplace. Ensure that adequate supplies are maintained. Place hand rubs in multiple locations or in conference rooms to encourage hand hygiene.

      • Visit the coughing and sneezing etiquette and clean hands webpage for more information.

    • Perform routine environmental cleaning:

      • Routinely clean all frequently touched surfaces in the workplace, such as workstations, countertops, and doorknobs. Use the cleaning agents that are usually used in these areas and follow the directions on the label.

      • No additional disinfection beyond routine cleaning is recommended at this time.

      • Provide disposable wipes so that commonly used surfaces (for example, doorknobs, keyboards, remote controls, desks) can be wiped down by employees before each use.

    • Advise employees before traveling to take certain steps:

      • Check the CDC's Traveler's Health Notices for the latest guidance and recommendations for each country to which you will travel. Specific travel information for travelers going to and returning from China, and information for aircrew, can be found at on the CDC website.

      • Advise employees to check themselves for symptoms of acute respiratory illness before starting travel and notify their supervisor and stay home if they are sick.

      • Ensure employees who become sick while traveling or on temporary assignment understand that they should notify their supervisor and should promptly call a healthcare provider for advice if needed.

      • If outside the United States, sick employees should follow your company's policy for obtaining medical care or contact a healthcare provider or overseas medical assistance company to assist them with finding an appropriate healthcare provider in that country. A U.S. consular officer can help locate healthcare services. However, U.S. embassies, consulates, and military facilities do not have the legal authority, capability, and resources to evacuate or give medicines, vaccines, or medical care to private U.S. citizens overseas.

    • Additional Measures in Response to Currently Occurring Sporadic Importations of the COVID-19:

      • Employees who are well but who have a sick family member at home with COVID-19 should notify their supervisor and refer to CDC guidance for how to conduct a risk assessment of their potential exposure.

      • If an employee is confirmed to have COVID-19, employers should inform fellow employees of their possible exposure to COVID-19 in the workplace but maintain confidentiality as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Employees exposed to a co-worker with confirmed COVID-19 should refer to CDC guidance for how to conduct a risk assessment of their potential exposure.

• How to conduct a risk assessment?  Click here: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/php/risk-assessment.html
  

INSURANCE ISSUES

Many businesses also ask who will pay for the extra measures to protect employees and customers?  What about cancelled events, travel, lost revenue opportunities, etc.? 

Does the pandemic qualify for coverage of your losses? 

Does government action trigger your policy?  

Now is  good time to check your insurance policy BEFORE you take any action.