The Government of Alberta recently announced Alberta’s Relaunch Strategy. This staged COVID-19 recovery plan is designed to gradually re-open business and get people back to work.
The length of the pandemic is unknown and there are multiple stages of this plan, however, we have already begun the first stage, with the next tentatively set to begin on May 14. The timing of the stages will depend on the health conditions of the province and the use of resources, so it is important to follow all official health orders and guidelines.
Employers must be prepared to relaunch their business, working to new conditions while remaining flexible enough to adapt to ongoing changes. To help you prepare to open your doors, we have created a toolkit that outlines some of the steps and resources necessary to move forward.*
We’re #Here4YEG.
Step 1: Create a back-to-work task force
Create a task force of cross-functional stakeholders to address human resources, legal obligations, facilities, and operations. This team should be limited in size and should work remotely until all policies and procedures are established and it is safe to return to work.
THIS TEAM WILL:
- Be responsible for developing and communicating the COVID-19 prevention strategy to staff
- Consult with and advise on any human rights or legal requirements
- Be responsible for implementing the guidelines and best practices, ensuring they are followed by the staff and the public
- Assess the current workspace and make recommendations on any necessary changes to comply with current restrictions
- Identify critical resources and perform a risk assessment
- Need to remain informed on changing provincial and federal guidelines
- Meet regularly to assess status and make any revisions
- Make plans to deal with potential second wave
YOUR PLAN SHOULD TAKE INTO ACCOUNT:
- Integration of flexible work policies, identifying who needs to return to work and who can operate remotely (if possible)
- How you bring back staff and what timeframe
- The associated guidelines for your type of business
- Policies for meetings and gatherings, internally and externally
- What to do if an employee calls in sick, especially if they are diagnosed with COVID-19
- What happens as restrictions are relaxed or tightened
- What happens if you are forced to close temporarily
STEPS:
- Define the appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) for your workplace and follow any provincial guidelines
- Establish suitable cleaning and sanitization protocols, especially in high traffic areas
- Develop screening protocols and order any necessary supplies
- Create proper distancing arrangements
- Assess shared equipment or supplies and examine options to reduce or eliminate them
- Replace HVAC air filters or clean/disinfect existing filters
- Post internal signage outlining your policies, procedures, and protocols to keep staff alert
- Ensure you are limiting gatherings of people to the current maximum guidelines
- Keep entry points clear to prevent congestion
- Provide hand sanitizer for staff and guests
TIPS:
- Consider hiring a professional cleaner to perform a deep clean
- Mark floors with tape to indicate safe distancing
- Temporarily move employees that normally share spaces or work in close proximity
- Have a designated single entry and exit point
- Temporarily close or limit occupancy in common areas
- Ensure there are adequate supplies in washrooms at all times
- Encourage teleconferencing even after restrictions are relaxed
- Flush water lines to remove stagnant water
STEPS:
- Provide information and training on all changes to policies and procedures
- Educate your employees on physical distancing, proper hygiene, and correct PPE usage
- Provide PPE for all employees. This includes masks, hand sanitizer with a minimum 60% alcohol, masks and face shields if necessary
- Provide cleaning products so employees can keep their workspaces clean and disinfected. This includes disinfecting wipes, hand soap, paper towels, and hand sanitizers
- Screen employees before every shift to ensure they are healthy and they have not been in contact with anyone with COVID-19. Employees who are exhibiting any COVID-19 symptoms must stay home and follow quarantine guidelines.
- Stop handshaking or other physical forms of contact
- Discourage and limit the use of shared equipment
- Limit the number of employees in the office at any given time
- Check the mental health of your employees and provide them with options to talk with professionals
- Keep the lines of communication open and adapt/refine your plan as needed
TIPS:
- Create a rotating schedule of team members who are in the office and working from home
- Consider closing reception at lunch rather than having another employee cover the desk
- Provide electronic documents on new policies and procedures for easy reference
- Ensure employees have up-to-date contact information for all staff
- Encourage staff to download the Alberta Trace Together App to be aware of possible contact with COVID-19
- Remember, PPEs are only effective if worn and used correctly
STEPS:
- Update your website and social media, clearly identifying any new operational changes
- Post signage at the entrance of your business outlining changes and expectations of your customers
- Require customers to use hand sanitizer upon entering
- Post signage inside your business identifying areas, procedures or policies that are new
- Ensure sales registers are at least six feet apart
- Install screens between staff and customers
- Mark high traffic areas with tape or signage to keep customers and staff six feet apart
- Limit the number of people in your business to the current guidelines
- Disinfect the transaction area after each purchase, including payment machines, counter, bagging area, etc.
- Routinely clean and disinfect all surfaces
- Consider curbside pick-ups, delivery, take-out or drive-through options
TIPS:
- Clearly outline what you expect of your customer. It’s only fair to let them know what is expected of them and what your business is doing to keep everyone safe
- Create disposable menus or post them online
- Discourage the use of common pens or sanitize them between each use
- Encourage customers to use electronic payments and tap functions whenever possible, avoiding the use of cash
- Place garbage cans near entrances to safely contain disposables and reduce litter
- Create a routine cleaning schedule or checklist of frequently touched surfaces. This includes tables, doorknobs, switches, countertops, handles, desks, keyboards, phones, toilets, faucets, sinks, etc.
Following these steps will allow you to safely open your doors for business and remain open. Remember, the pandemic is not over, but we can get through this if we all work together.
Additional resources:
UPDATED 5/7/2020
*The information contained in this page may not apply to some businesses or places of work and may not include all the information necessary for certain businesses and places of work. This document does not attempt to address any health, safety, and/or other workplace requirements in place before COVID-19. As the pandemic continues to evolve, so will the public health and safety recommendations and requirements, and as a result, this document may not include all current governmental or health expert requirements and recommendations. We strongly advise that before implementing any of the practices and procedures contained herein, you carefully evaluate all and consult with your legal counsel and other advisors regarding the legality, applicability and potential efficacy of this information in your place of business and to determine what, if any, other recommendations or requirements may apply to your business. The Edmonton Chamber of Commerce bears no responsibility for any circumstances arising out of or related to the adoption, or decision not to adopt, any of the practices or procedures contained in this guide.