COVID-19 Updates and Resources

By Healthcare Ready

Below are resources intended to provide guidance for businesses to plan and respond to the current COVID-19 outbreak - provided by Healthcare Ready

Situation Overview

Healthcare Ready is sharing existing federal and partner resources to help business partners plan and respond to the current outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by SARS-CoV-2. 

Interim guidance is based on what is currently known about COVID-19 and is being updated regularly. At this time, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends businesses refer to influenza pandemic plans as supplemental resources for COVID-19 specific planning. 

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) National Business Emergency Operations Center (NBEOC) is activated as part of the Interagency Crisis Action Task Force, supporting the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the lead federal agency for the US response to COVID-19. 

• The ESF #14 and Industry Cross Sector Coordination Call is planned for March 5 from 3:00-4:00pm ET. 
• Expect recurring meetings on Tuesdays and Thursdays at that time. 
• The Crisis Action Task Force and NBEOC are operating Monday-Friday from 8:00am - 5:00pm ET. 
• Emergency Support Function (ESF) #14 - Cross Sector Business & Infrastructure is also activated at the national level with the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) coordinating. 
• The NBEOC Dashboard is active. 

Please visit Healthcare Ready's COVID-19 event page for additional resources. 

Recommended Cleaning and Disinfection Strategies to Prevent the Spread of COVID-19

• CDC: Interim Guidance for Businesses and Employers to Plan and Respond to Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19), February 2020 
• Businesses should perform routine environmental cleaning on all frequently touched surfaces in the workplace and provide disposable wipes to employees. At this time, no additional disinfection beyond routine cleaning is recommended. 
• CDC: Infection Control Guidelines and Guidance Library
• This resource library provides basic infection prevention and control guidelines as well as setting-specific guidance. 
• Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA): COVID-19 Control and Prevention
• Employers should adapt infection control strategies based on a thorough hazard assessment and use this OSHA interim guidance to help prevent worker exposure to COVID-19. 
• North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services: Interim Guidance for Environmental Cleaning for Non-Healthcare Settings Following Exposure to a Patient with Confirmed or Suspected 2019 Novel Coronavirus Infection
• This guidance document contains recommendations for environmental cleaning practices in non-healthcare settings. 

Non-pharmaceutical Interventions (NPIs)

• CDC: Non-pharmaceutical Interventions Educational Materials
• This resource center provides fact sheets, videos, and training materials on NPIs. Managers should ensure employees are well educated on different NPIs. 
• The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH): Personal Protective Equipment
• Employers should review information materials on the proper use of PPE under different conditions and situations. 
• US Chamber of Commerce Foundation: Guidance for Employers to Plan and Respond to Coronavirus (COVID-19)
• This guidance provides strategies to prevent workplace exposure including planning for spikes in absenteeism and social distancing. 
• The World Health Organization (WHO): Non-pharmaceutical Public Health Measures for Mitigating the Risk and Impact of Epidemic and Pandemic Influenza
• Businesses should implement NPIs to delay or prevent the introduction of COVID-19 in the workplace, or reduce transmission. 

Travel Guidance

• CDC: Coronavirus Disease 2019 Information for Travel
• This page includes information about COVID-19 for travelers and travel related industries including communication resources for travelers.
• CDC: Traveler's Health Notices
• Employers should check the latest guidance and recommendations for each country to which they travel. 
• NIOSH: Small Business International Travel Resource
• This resource is designed to help small business owners anticipate and plan for safe and healthy travel abroad and helps employers understand international travel concerns. 
• US Department of State (DoS): Travel Advisories
• Employers and employees should always check travel advisories for their intended destination. You can also see the world at a glance using the DoS color-coded map. Because COVID-19 conditions are changing rapidly, it is recommended that businesses sign up to receive Travel Advisories and Alerts. 

Important Planning Considerations for the COVID-19 Outbreak

• CDC: Business Pandemic Influenza Planning Checklist
• Businesses should refer to this checklist, which identifies specific activities large businesses can do now to prepare for a pandemic. 
• CDC: Pandemic Influenza for Businesses and Employers
• This resource center provides planning checklists for businesses and other organizations to identify critical services to prepare their operations for a pandemic. 
• CDC: Pandemic Preparedness Planning for US Businesses with Overseas Operations
• This checklist provides suggestions for employers to develop a comprehensive plan to help implement pandemic business continuity. 
• CISA: Coronavirus
• Businesses should refer to CISA for important cybersecurity considerations and updates related to the COVID-19 outbreak. 

Recommendations for COVID-19 Business Response Plans

• CDC: Interim US Guidance for Risk Assessment and Public Health Management of Persons with Potential Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Exposure in Travel-associated or Community Settings
• Employees who may have been exposed to a person with COVID-19 should notify their supervisor and refer to this guidance for how to conduct a risk assessment of their potential exposure. Employees exposed to that co-worker should also conduct a risk assessment. 
• CDC: Interim Guidance for Airlines and Airlines Crew: Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
• This resource provides recommendations for managing ill travelers if COVID-19 is suspected. 
• CDC: Interim Guidance for Ships on Managing Suspected Coronavirus Disease 2019
• This document provides guidance for ships originating from, or stopping in the US to help prevent, detect, and medically manage suspected COVID-19 infections. 
• CDC: Interim Guidance for Cargo Trucking Crews for the Prevention of Pandemic Influenza
• Employers should implement these guidelines and recommendations during the beginning stages of a pandemic. 
• OSHA: Protecting Workers during a Pandemic Fact Sheet
• This document provides guidance for employers during a pandemic including training and control measures. 
• WHO: Getting your Workplace Ready for COVID-19
• Employers should use this guidance to prepare their business for COVID-19, even if COVID-19 has not arrived in the communities where they operate.