Gov. Ned Lamont has issued a new set of guidelines for workplaces at “essential” businesses that are allowed to keep their physical locations open during the coronavirus pandemic.
The list of essential services includes financial institutions, real estate services and construction sites.
The guidelines offer instructions on how companies should sanitize workplaces and take steps to protect their workers’ health and the health of the public.
Lamont said Tuesday there are indications the surge of COVID-19 cases in Connecticut is “flattening out,” but implored residents to remain vigilant and continue to adhere to the state’s strict social distancing measures. At the top of the list: a declaration that even if a company provides essential services, all employees who can work from home should.
“‘Hey dude – keep your distance.’ I want to hear that wherever I go,” he said.
As of Tuesday, 1,308 people were hospitalized in Connecticut with COVID-19, an increase of 87 from Monday. Lamont noted how the state has averaged 80-to-90 additional hospitalizations each day for the past five days. While Lamont admitted “five days does not make a trend,” he said “at least we can say we are flattening out.”
There have been 277 virus-related deaths in the state.
Highlights of the list include:
- Where possible, employees should take their temperature before they go to work. If they have a temperature above 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit, they should stay home.
- Clean common touch points “frequently” and reduce common touch points by opening internal doors where possible.
- Provide disposable wipes so that commonly used surfaces (for example, doorknobs, keyboards, remote controls, desks, other work tools and equipment) can be wiped down.
- Eliminate in-person meetings.
- Follow CDC guidance for wearing masks.
Construction sites have additional rules to follow:
- Clean portable bathrooms no less than every two days.
- Require employees to travel separately to, from and within worksites.
- Reschedule work to maximize the amount of work being performed outdoors, limit indoor or work “lacking significant fresh air.”
- Shift work to limit the size of the crews on the jobsite, especially indoors.
- Rotate lunch and coffee break shifts, requiring workers to follow the CDC social distancing guidelines during meals or breaks.
- Follow all safety and health protocols when using an elevator.
- Provide an adequate supply of PPE, including but not limited to masks, gloves, hand sanitizer.
Material from the Associated Press was used in this report.
