The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (“CDC”) has released expansive guidelines (“Guidelines”) titled “CDC Activities and Initiatives Supporting the COVID-19 Response and the President’s Plan for Opening America Up Again.” The Guidelines can be found HERE, or on our Coronavirus Alert Page HERE.

The Guidelines provide detailed plans for businesses, schools, restaurants, childcare facilities, and transits on the important categories to consider before reopening. The Guidelines layout a three-phased approach that is meant to slowly reduce community mitigation measures while also protecting vulnerable populations. Notably, the Guidelines provide that the same may be implemented statewide or on a community-by-community basis. Thus, it is important to remain aware of statewide and your county/municipal guidance and rules.

The CDC lists a “gating criteria” of six indicators, which provide thresholds signaling that the country is ready to move from one phase to the next (Page 7). These indicators include:

• Decreases in newly identified COVID-19 cases;
• Decreases in emergency department and/or outpatient visits for COVID-like illness;
• Decreases in emergency department and/or outpatient visits for influenza-like illness;
• Decreases in percentage of positive COVID-19 tests;
• Ability to treat all patients without crisis care; and
• A robust testing program.

The Guidelines also provide links to further guidance for certain industries. For business owners in particular, there is a link to interim guidance for businesses and employers to plan and respond to COVID-19, which can be found HERE. Further, there is a link to the CDC’s guidance to assist small businesses to prepare for the impact of COVID-19, which can be found HERE.

In the event a business owner’s employee, customer, or visitor contracts COVID-19 at their places of business, business owners are faced with the possibility of potential litigation. Therefore, business owners’ familiarity and compliance with these Guidelines are vital.

As our country’s guidance on COVID-19 rapidly changes, Hunter Business Law remains committed to keeping up to date on new guidance that impacts business owners. Follow our Coronavirus alerts HERE, or contact us today to discuss your options HERE.

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This Blog was written by Hunter Business Law Attorney Stephanie Boussias.

DISCLAIMER: This blog is for educational purposes only and does not offer nor substitute legal advice. Additionally, this blog does not establish an attorney-client relationship and is not for advertising or solicitation purposes. Any of the content contained herein shall not be used to make any decision without first consulting an attorney. The hiring of an attorney is an important decision not to be based on advertisements or blogs. Hunter Business Law expressly disclaims any and all liability in regard to any actions, or lack thereof, based on any contents of this blog.