COVID-19 Return To Operations Facility and Workforce Checklist - v1.1

Enterprise Health Security Center
COVID-19: Return to Operations: Facility and Workforce Checklist
Individual/ Planning EHSC Action Required Action

Department Category Playbook Complete
Date EHSC Resources
Responsible Task Y/N
Preparing the Review and implement all local government / health authority
Facility for directions on return to operations1:
Return to
Operations  When facility is permitted to re-open
 Which employees may return (e.g. business-critical only,
immune to COVID-19, those not in high-risk categories2)
 Number of employees allowed to return to facility
Risk  Workstation spacing requirements (e.g. 6 ft. / 2 meters
Assessment apart)
& Planning  Changes to interaction with public / clients (e.g.
restrictions on number of people allowed into a facility at a
time, modifications to commerce such as curbside pick-up
of goods and online ordering / payment)3
Consult with building owners / facility managers to ensure all

Facility facilities and equipment are properly maintained and ready for
Preparation resumption of activities.
Risk Consider taking a “virtual tour” of the facility with preparation team
Assessment to review areas and plan for re-opening tasks.
& Planning
Inspect facility for any damage or issues; verify equipment and

services supporting the building are operational. Repair any
issues prior to re-opening facility.
Facility
Preparation  Examples: Water systems, fire safety systems, electrical,
sanitation, HVAC, etc.
1
Whitehouse.gov (2020). Guidelines: Opening up America Again. https://www.whitehouse.gov/openingamerica/#phase-one
2
UK National Health Services (NHS) (2020). Who’s at Higher Risk for Coronavirus? https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/people-at-higher-risk-from-coronavirus/whos-
at-higher-risk-from-coronavirus/
3
CDC (2020). Interim Guidance for Businesses and Employers to Plan and Respond to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19).
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/guidance-business-response.html
1

Date EHSC Resources
Whenever possible (and in accordance with building safety codes)
Facility install no-contact doors, “hands free” options, etc.
Preparation
Check ventilation system: increase ventilation rates and increase  COVID-19

Facility the percentage of outdoor air intake that circulates in facility4. Cleaning
Preparation Guidelines
 COVID-19 Interim
Guide to PPE
Ensure anyone cleaning / preparing the vacated building is  COVID-19 Interim
wearing appropriate PPE such as masks, gloves, eye protection Guide to PPE
and gown before entering the facility.  Cleaning
PPE
guidelines
Check cleaning supply stocks (including disinfectants5) and COVID-19 Cleaning
Cleaning equipment to ensure adequate supply for return to operations. Guidelines
Review facility cleaning protocols and update to ensure increased COVID-19 Cleaning
Cleaning cleaning of frequently touched surfaces and use of disinfectants6. Guidelines
Ensure cleaning staff are trained on standard and enhanced COVID-19 Cleaning
Staff Training cleaning protocols for COVID-19 that will be implemented with Guidelines
return to operations.
Ensure all staff required to use PPE have adequate supplies of  COVID-19
PPE PPE for return to operations and according to their risk exposure Cleaning
(e.g. cleaning staff, entry screeners, and employees working with Guidelines
public).  Interim Guide to
PPE
4
5
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). List N: Disinfectants for Use against SARS-CoV-2. https://www.epa.gov/pesticide-registration/list-n-disinfectants-use-against-sars-
cov-2
6
World Health Organization (WHO) (2020). Getting your Workplace Ready for COVID-19. https://www.who.int/docs/default-source/coronaviruse/advice-for-workplace-clean-19-03-
2020.pdf?sfvrsn=bd671114_6
2

Date EHSC Resources
Ensure all staff using PPE (including cleaning staff) have been  COVID-19
properly trained on use and sequence of donning (putting on) and Cleaning
doffing (taking off). PPE does not replace the need for hand Guidelines
Staff Training
hygiene. Dispose of single-use PPE items immediately after use  Interim Guide to
and wash hands. U.S. CDC training document for correct PPE
sequence of donning and doffing of PPE
Install additional hand sanitizer dispensers / hand washing facilities  Hand washing
Facility as needed throughout the facility to encourage hand hygiene7. Steps Poster
Preparation  Hand Sanitizer
 Hand sanitizer must contain at least 60-85% alcohol .
8 Poster
 Procure adequate supplies for hand hygiene stations and
to distribute personal hand sanitizer supplies to
employees.
Facility Establish a plan to provide tissues to employees including in  Cover your Cough
Preparation employee areas to promote respiratory hygiene9. Procure Poster
additional tissue supply.
Facility Install additional waste bins throughout the facility for disposal of  Using Face Masks
Preparation single-use PPE, tissues, hand towels, etc. Waste bins should be Poster
“touch free” design.
If company has employee transportation vehicles (e.g. shuttles),  COVID-19

check local authority direction on transportation and accordingly Cleaning
update guidelines. Guidelines
Facility
Preparation  COVID-19 Interim
Consider10: Guide to PPE
 Increase cleaning / disinfecting of commonly touched
7
8
9
10
CDC (2020). Cleaning and Disinfection for Non-emergency Transport Vehicles. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/organizations/disinfecting-transport-
vehicles.html
3

Date EHSC Resources
surfaces – handles, buckles, seats, etc. (wear PPE:
gloves, masks, goggles, gowns when cleaning)
 Ensure thorough cleaning / disinfecting vehicle after
transporting any symptomatic people
 Drivers / vehicle staff should practice enhanced hand
hygiene, avoid touching their face, and wear face mask
 Passengers should wear face masks / coverings
 Reduce volumes of passengers / increase number of
trips to promote maintenance social distance of 6 ft. (2
m) when possible
Preparing for Cleaning Conduct a thorough cleaning / disinfecting of the facility, including COVID-19 Cleaning
Opening Day all workstations, restrooms, break rooms, meeting spaces, and Guidelines
eating areas prior to re-opening.
Cleaning Align plans for employee work shifts with cleaning staff plans for COVID-19 Cleaning
increased / enhanced cleaning of facility (with focus on high-touch Guidelines
surfaces).
 Cover your Cough
Facility Distribute tissues, hand sanitizer and disinfecting wipes and place
Poster
Preparation in employee workstations for self-cleaning of personal work items.
 Hand Sanitizer
Poster
 Stay Well Poster
Install posters / educational material on hygiene and social
distancing throughout the workplace; especially in employee areas,
Employee Poster
kitchens, and restrooms11.
Communication  Hand washing
& Education Poster
 Hand Sanitizer
Poster
 COVID-19
Precautions Poster
 Look out for Signs
of Stress Poster
 Workplace Social
Distancing Poster
11
4

Date EHSC Resources
Screening Review Entry Screening models and select screening model to be COVID-19 Screening Set up
implemented for re-opening of facility. Kit
Staff Training Select and train staff who will conduct point of entry screening COVID-19 Screening Set up
Kit
Prepare entry way(s) designated for point of entry screening.  COVID-19

Screening Kit
Screening  Arrange workstation(s) for entry screeners; ensure layout
 Active Screening
allows them to maintain 6 ft. (2 m) social distance from
Alert Poster
people being screened
 Passive Screening
 Procure and store PPE, questionnaires, forms, and
Alert Poster
temperature screening equipment for entry screeners in
designated location
 Install posters / education material for entry screening
Identify and set up isolation room for employees / visitors  COVID-19 Isolation
displaying symptoms. Ensure isolation room procedures are Room Preparation
Facility reviewed and staff designated to assist symptomatic people are
Preparation trained and provided appropriate PPE.
Employee Establish a communication plan to notify management / employees  COVID-19

Communication if an employee / visitor to facility is confirmed with COVID-19 Case/Contact
& Education infection12. Communication to
Employees
Workplace zoning: arrange work stations and foot-traffic patterns to  COVID-19

promote social distancing Workplace Zoning
 COVID-19 Guide
Consider:
to Social
Workplace
 Re-arranging workstations to 6 ft.(2 m) apart Distancing
Zoning &
Social  Assigning employees at higher risk for serious illness to  Workplace Social
12
5

Date EHSC Resources
Distancing work tasks that allow them to work from home or maintain Distancing Poster
social distance of 6 ft. (2 m) in the workplace at all times13
 Restricting access to areas of the workplace to ensure
volumes of employees in each area do not impact ability
to maintain social distance
 Ensure all workplace safety / building regulations are not
violated in new layouts
 Close meeting and large gathering spaces; consider using
instead to accommodate additional spaced workstations
or for other purposes
 Post signs / floor markings to direct traffic flow in
corridors, stairs, entries
 Consider one-way paths for foot-traffic in facility
 Consider managing volumes in elevators / staircases
 If there are any areas where lines form (e.g. point of entry
screening area, cafeteria) mark floor to visually
demonstrate 6 ft. social distance
Food and beverage services: check local regulations on whether to  COVID-19

suspend food / beverages services. If offering food/beverage Workplace Zoning
services, review and rearrange services to reduce employee  COVID-19 Guide
volumes and sharing of objects. to Social
Distancing
Consider:
 Encouraging employees to bring food and beverage items Distancing Poster
Facility from home and store in designated areas
Preparation  Remove / close shared coffee pots, water coolers
fountains; consider providing self-serve individual
servings or designating food service staff to distribute
 Remove shared eating utensils and replace with
disposable utensils, napkins, etc.
 Eliminate open food items in kitchen / cafeteria settings
 Provide prepackaged items in containers
 Increase frequency of cleaning appliances such as
13
6

Date EHSC Resources
refrigerators and microwaves
 Consider installing physical barriers, such as clear plastic
sneeze guards around food service areas
 Place floor markings to visually demonstrate 6 ft. social
distance in areas where lines may form (e.g. vending
machines, checkout lines)
 Space out / stagger dining tables / chairs to maintain
social distance 6ft. (2 m)
 All food service workers must continue to adhere to food
safety and hygiene practices, with particular focus on
proper hand hygiene, respiratory hygiene, cleaning /
disinfecting of work surfaces, maintaining social distance14
Workplace supplies and equipment management: establish a plan

for storage and management of supplies and equipment to
minimize touching shared objects.
Facility Consider:
Preparation
 Designating a staff member(s) as point of contact for
supply requests / distribution
 Management and stationing of shared equipment (e.g.
printers) to reduce traffic and touching shared surfaces
(e.g. add more printers, designate a staff member to
manage all printing / copying so they are the only one
touching the equipment)
 Removal of all speakerphones / shared phones /
conferencing equipment; encourage employees to use
their personal phones and computers15.
14
World Health Organization (WHO) (2020). COVID-19 and Food Safety: Guidance for Food Businesses. https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/331705/WHO-2019-nCoV-
Food_Safety-2020.1-eng.pdf
15
7

Date EHSC Resources
Risk Establish and implement a plan on how to monitor workplace social  Workplace Social
Assessment distancing measures and ensure compliance when facility re-opens Distancing Poster
& Planning
Preparing  Stay Well Poster

Review existing employee policies, roles and operations
Staff for procedures and update as needed with regard to COVID-19
Return to HR Policies precautions.
Operations
 Examples: PTO / sick leave / caregiver policies, flexible
schedules, telecommuting, re-arrangement of
workstations in facility, point of entry screening
procedures
Ensure policies actively encourage sick employees to stay
home16 (consider expanding sick leave pay / benefits).
 Using Face Masks
Consider whether to direct ALL employees to wear face masks /
poster
coverings in the workplace. Base your decision on local authority
PPE guidance at the time of re-opening and whether employees can
maintain 6 ft. (2m) of social distance at all times in work duties17.
Establish and implement a plan for monitoring absenteeism and

how to operate if absenteeism spikes18.
HR Policies
Consider / establish staggered arrival times and work shifts / work
16
17
CDC (2020). Cloth Face Coverings: Questions & Answers. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/cloth-face-cover-faq.html
18
8

Date EHSC Resources
HR Policies, days to reduce the volume of employees in one area19.

Workplace
Zoning & Examples:
Social
Distancing  Group 1 employees arrive at facility between 8:00 – 8:30
a.m., Group 2 employees arrive at facility between 9:00 –
9:30 a.m.
 Employees with last names starting with A – K work in
facility Monday / Wednesday / Friday and work from home
other days; employees with last names starting with L-Z
work in facility Tuesday / Thursday and work from home
other days
Establish a schedule of return to work dates / times / shifts for

employees based on risk status and operational needs20.
HR Policies,
Screening,  Level 1: Essential staff, no interaction with public in
Workplace workplace, able to maintain social distance in workplace,
Zoning &
only staff who are healthy / low-risk / immune, staff who
Social
Distancing are able / willing continue to work from home
 Level 2: Level 1 PLUS non-essential healthy / low-risk /
immune staff who do not interact with public in workplace
19
20
9

Date EHSC Resources
and cannot work from home

 Level 3: Levels 1-2 PLUS staff in jobs with limited public
contact but able to maintain social distance
 Level 4: Levels 1-3 PLUS staff in jobs with public contact
without maintaining social distance; working from home
becomes optional for those willing / able
 Level 5: All staff return to workplace (consider allowing
work from home for employees willing / able)
Review the different modes of employee transportation to the work

facility and local regulations. Plan communications / education to
employees to ensure they are prepared for commute when facility
re-opens.
Consider:
 Commute via personal vehicle:
o Are there any parking changes / entrance
updates that should be communicated to
employees?
o Are there any road closures or directions from
local authorities on road travel that should be
Employee considered? Example: are only essential
Communication workers allowed to travel on roads and do they
& Education need a letter from their employee verifying status
for checkpoints?
 Commute via public transport:

o Is public transport available in location?
o If available, are there any changes to schedule,
pick-up/drop-off locations?
o Are there any restrictions on passenger volumes
or requirements for face masks/covering while
on public transport?
10

Date EHSC Resources
 Commute via company vehicle:

o Have all updates to passenger guidelines (e.g.
face masks/coverings, passenger volumes,
social distancing in vehicle) been communicated
to employee passengers?
o Are there any changes to schedules,
pick-up/drop-off locations that should be
communicated to employees?
 COVID-19 Home
Determine if / how / when to pre-screen employees for fitness to
Guide
return to facility. Note: in most locations, employees are not
 COVID-19
required to disclose personal health information; employees
Screening Set up
should be made aware their disclosure is voluntary and will be
Kit (questionnaire)
collected / stored in accordance with privacy regulations.
Ensure all employee health discussions, decisions for return
to work, and data collection are reviewed by HR / Legal prior
to implementation.
Consider:
 How will pre-screening be conducted?

o Phone interview
HR Policies,
o Online survey / App
Screening
o In-person during entry screening
 Ensure pre-screening procedures and information
collecting is aligned with privacy regulations.
 How data collected will be stored and how employees will
be informed of their return to work status and scheduling /
operational implications.
Pre-screening information:
11

Date EHSC Resources
 Has employee contracted COVID-19, recovered, and met

isolation guidelines to safely return to workplace21?
 Has employee had a high-risk exposure (e.g. household
contact) to COVID-19 in the past 14 days?
 Is employee in a high-risk group (underlying conditions22,
65 or older, etc.)?
 Is employee willing and able to return to workplace
facility?
 Does employee have any other considerations that may
affect return to work status such as dependent care as or
transportation issues?
Designate and train staff to fulfill the following roles:  COVID-19 Interim
Guide to PPE
 Return to Operations team: designate staff (ideally HR /  Isolation Room
management) to answer / address all RTO questions and procedures
concerns; establish 1 phone / email address for team that
Staff Training is continuously monitored
 PPE Champions: can provide training to other
employees on correct PPE use and disposal, monitor and
maintain PPE supplies
 First Aiders: designate staff on each floor / unit who are
trained to assist any employees who become ill /
symptomatic to isolation room (staff assisting ill
employees must use PPE)
 Delivery / mail reception staff: staff trained to accept
and safely handle all mail / deliveries / food orders in
designated delivery area
21
CDC (2020). Discontinuation of Isolation for Persons with COVID-19 not in Healthcare Settings. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/disposition-in-home-patients.html
22
UK National Health Services (NHS) (2020). Who’s at Higher Risk for Coronavirus? https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/people-at-higher-risk-from-coronavirus/
whos-at-higher-risk-from-coronavirus/
12

Date EHSC Resources
Ensure all employees are aware of these staff resources and how
to contact these individuals if needed.
Establish and Implement and health promotion campaign for  COVID-19 Toolbox
employees23. Designate staff responsible for ongoing delivery. Talk & Participant
Employee Hand out
Communication
& Education
Communicate the return to operations plan to employees  COVID-19 Toolbox

Talk & Participant
 Ensure employees know what to expect and what to do Hand out
when they return to the facility:  Stay Well Poster
o When facility will be open  Cover your Cough
o Who to call if they are sick (and stay home if Poster
sick!)  COVID-19
o Facility hours of operation Precautions Poster
 Provide each employee their specific  Look out for Signs
work dates and time of shifts of Stress Poster
o Which employees may return and when (e.g.  Workplace Social
business-critical only, immune to COVID-19, Distancing Poster
Employee those not in high-risk categories)
o Number of employees allowed to return to facility
Communication
o Workstation spacing / locations changes
& Education (employee knows where to go when they arrive)
o Changes to interaction with public / clients and
working procedures (e.g. restrictions on number
of people allowed into a facility at a time,
modifications to commerce such as curbside
23
13

Date EHSC Resources
pick-up of goods and online ordering / payment)
o Point of entry screening procedures
o Food & beverage items and services availability
and changes
o Where to store personal items
o Social distancing procedures
o Updates to cleaning protocols
o Where to seek emotional health support
o How to report any change in return to work
status with regard to COVID-19 (e.g.
symptomatic, caring for sick family member,
high-risk exposure)
 Encourage employee discussions / questions on specific

policies and procedures to provide support, ensure
awareness and compliance
 Provide information in a variety of formats (e.g. webinar

sessions, videos, direct phone calls to employees, emails,
posts to intranet sites / social media)
o Translate procedures into additional languages
as needed
Review and update visitor policies.
Consider:
HR Policies,
 Restricting access to work facility for non-essential visitors
Screening,
and the public (if possible)
Workplace
 Limiting access to designated areas of facility for visitors,
Zoning &
vendors, contractors, deliveries, etc.
Social
 Create communications materials and distribute to visitor
Distancing
ahead of arrival with information on point of entry
screening, facility social distancing procedures, etc.
 Communicate plan for ongoing operations with vendors /
14

Date EHSC Resources
contractors / delivery services, etc.
 COVID-19 Traveler
Review and update employee travel policies24: Document
Risk Level 1 – Level 2: Essential travel only with monitoring  Instructions for
Assessment Level 3 – Level 5: Business travel with monitoring Travelers
& Planning, Whenever possible, use teleconferencing for meetings and Returning from
Affected Areas
HR Policies gatherings25.
 COVID-19 Home
Review and update plans to continue support of employees Guide
working from home:  Look out for Signs
HR Policies, of Stress Poster
 Ensure employees have equipment / supplies that are  Stay Well Poster
Employee
maintained for home workstations  Take Time to
Communication
 Provide employee and education and support for working Relax
& Education  Work from Home
from home considerations:
Infographic
o Ergonomic work station arrangement
o Tips for managing stress
o Tips for productivity
o Tips for working with virtual teams
o Tips for remaining healthy and active
Ongoing Risk Hold Daily / weekly meetings with management team to review
Monitoring / Assessment progress and any adjustments to new operational model as
Support & Planning needed
 COVID-19 Toolbox
Risk Solicit employee feedback via surveys, interviews, “virtual town
Talk & Participant
Assessment hall” meetings, etc. Continuously incorporate employee feedback
Hand out
& Planning,
24
CDC (2020). COVID-19 Travel Recommendations by Country. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/map-and-travel-notices.html#travel-1
25
15

Date EHSC Resources
Employee and suggestions into operational model.

Communication
& Education
Employee
 COVID-19 Toolbox
Continue with employee education and awareness programs about Talk & Participant
Communication COVID-19 precautions and pandemic updates Hand out
& Education
 Stay Well Poster
Poster
 COVID-19
Precautions Poster
 Look out for Signs of
Stress Poster
Distancing Poster
Risk Continue to monitor and incorporate all local government / health
Assessment authority directions into operational plans - including scaling back
& Planning operations in response to future “waves” of pandemic26.
Document information:
Version: 1.1
Last modification: April 28, 2020
26
16

COVID-19 Return To Operations Facility and Workforce Checklist - v1.1

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Enterprise Health Security Center

COVID-19: Return to Operations: Facility and Workforce Checklist

Individual/ Planning EHSC Action Required Action

Consult with building owners / facility managers to ensure all

Inspect facility for any damage or issues; verify equipment and

Individual/ Planning EHSC Action Required Action

Check ventilation system: increase ventilation rates and increase  COVID-19

Individual/ Planning EHSC Action Required Action

If company has employee transportation vehicles (e.g. shuttles),  COVID-19

Individual/ Planning EHSC Action Required Action

Individual/ Planning EHSC Action Required Action

Prepare entry way(s) designated for point of entry screening.  COVID-19

Employee Establish a communication plan to notify management / employees  COVID-19

Workplace zoning: arrange work stations and foot-traffic patterns to  COVID-19

Individual/ Planning EHSC Action Required Action

Food and beverage services: check local regulations on whether to  COVID-19

Individual/ Planning EHSC Action Required Action

Workplace supplies and equipment management: establish a plan

Individual/ Planning EHSC Action Required Action

Preparing  Stay Well Poster

Establish and implement a plan for monitoring absenteeism and

Consider / establish staggered arrival times and work shifts / work

Individual/ Planning EHSC Action Required Action

HR Policies, days to reduce the volume of employees in one area19.

Establish a schedule of return to work dates / times / shifts for

Individual/ Planning EHSC Action Required Action

and cannot work from home

Review the different modes of employee transportation to the work

 Commute via public transport:

Individual/ Planning EHSC Action Required Action

 Commute via company vehicle:

 How will pre-screening be conducted?

Individual/ Planning EHSC Action Required Action

 Has employee contracted COVID-19, recovered, and met

Individual/ Planning EHSC Action Required Action

Communicate the return to operations plan to employees  COVID-19 Toolbox

Individual/ Planning EHSC Action Required Action

 Encourage employee discussions / questions on specific

 Provide information in a variety of formats (e.g. webinar

Review and update visitor policies.

Individual/ Planning EHSC Action Required Action

contractors / delivery services, etc.

Individual/ Planning EHSC Action Required Action

Employee and suggestions into operational model.

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