Resuming Business TOOLKIT

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) 

CS 317193-A May 27, 2020 2:07 PM
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INFORMATION 
3

Contents

Employer Sheet 5

Restart Readiness Checklist 6

Prevent and reduce transmission among employees 6

Maintain healthy business operations 9

Maintain a healthy work environment 12

Worker Protection Tool  .

Worker Protections . 

Keep yourself and others safe from COVID-19 when returning to work 17

Resources referred to throughout the Toolkit . 

Additional Resources 21
The Resuming Business Toolkit is designed to assist employers in slowing 

the spread of COVID-19 [1] and lowering the impact in their workplace 

when reintegrating employees into non-healthcare business settings. Not 

sure whether you’re ready to resume business? Use CDC’s decision tools 

[2-3] as a start.

This toolkit includes the following materials: 

Employer Sheet to introduce employers to the 

contents of the toolkit and how to use the materials in 

non-healthcare workplaces

Restart Readiness Checklist to help make returning to 

work and resuming business operations as safe and healthy as 

possible for employers, employees, and the public 

Worker Protection Tool for employers to identify protective 

measures for workers when interacting with each other 

and the public 

Returning to Work Infographic to remind employees how 

to protect themselves and others from COVID-19 and address 

their potential concerns about returning to the workplace 

Resources to easily access additional information using 

hyperlinks, URLs, and QR codes 

4
5

Employer Sheet

Resuming Business Toolkit for Coronavirus Disease 

The information in this toolkit is based on CDC’s Interim Guidance for Businesses 

and Employers to Plan and Respond to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) [4]. 

Be sure to thoroughly review this guidance for complete information. 

Before resuming your non-healthcare business operations, it is important to consider 

how much the disease is spreading in your community and the readiness of workplace 

management to protect the safety and health of employees and the public. CDC’s 

decision tools [2-3] can help with determine if it is time.

For information about conditions in your community, contact your local health department [5].

This toolkit provides a checklist to prepare the workplace for operations and a tool to navigate protective 

options for workers. Revisit materials regularly as the COVID-19 situation can change in your community. 

1. Get started with the Restart Readiness Checklist, working 

with others in management to identify which checklist items 

apply to your business. Revisit the list as you make progress on 

items and as conditions in your area change.

2. Select protective measures in the Worker Protection Tool, 

based on the nature of your employees’ interactions with other 

workers and/or the public. Consider whether multiple categories 

apply to your business, then work through those items.

3. Share the Returning to Work Infographic with employees.

Depending on your business, consider the following ways of 

incorporating the infographic into the workplace: 

✔ Print and post in common areas such as break rooms, hallways, 

elevators, or bathrooms.

✔ Email to employees, encouraging them to print a copy and 

place it where they will see it often in their office or workspace.

✔ Read content during team meetings, reminding employees to 

reach out with any questions.
6

Restart Readiness Checklist 

For Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)

Use this checklist (for non-healthcare employers) as a guide to resuming business 

operations as safely and healthy as possible for you, your employees, and the public. Some 

items may need to be ongoing, so regularly revisit the checklist while COVID-19 cases 

exist. Only complete those items that apply to your business. See the Resources section for 

links and QR codes to web resources.

1. Prevent and reduce transmission among employees

Monitor federal, state, and local public health communications about COVID-19. 

Item Completed Ongoing Not 

Started

Not 

Applicable

Ensure workers have access to current information. 

Check local public health information [5] and the CDC COVID-19 

website [1] daily, or as needed depending on local conditions.

Reinforce how employees can protect themselves and others from COVID-19 by 

communicating the following:

Item Completed Ongoing Not 

Started

Not 

Applicable

If you have symptoms [6], notify your supervisor and 

stay home.

If you are sick, follow CDC-recommended steps [7], and 

do not return to work until you meet criteria to discontinue 

home isolation [8]. 

If you are well, but have someone in your household 

who has COVID-19, notify your supervisor and follow 

CDC recommended precautions [9].

Wash hands [10] often with soap and water for at least 20 

seconds, or use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol if soap 

and water are not available. 

Avoid touching eyes, nose, and mouth.

Cover mouth and nose with a tissue or inside of the elbow 

when coughing or sneezing, immediately throw tissue in trash, 

then wash hands. 
7

Item Completed Ongoing Not 

Started

Not 

Applicable

Develop a cleaning and disinfecting plan [11]

Clean and disinfect [12] frequently touched objects and 

surfaces at the beginning and end of each shift. 

Avoid using other employees’ phones, desks, offices, or other 

work tools and equipment. Clean and disinfect between 

employees if sharing occurs. 

Avoid large gatherings, [13] and stay at least 6 feet from others 

when possible. 

Use cloth face coverings (if appropriate) [14] when social 

distancing is not possible, and especially in areas of with high 

levels of cases.

Plan for conducting daily in-person or virtual health checks [15] (e.g., symptom and/or temperatur

screening) before employees enter the facility:

Item Completed Ongoing Not 

Started

Not 

Applicable

Use social distancing (about 6 feet distance), barriers or 

partitions, and/or personal protective equipment (PPE) to 

protect screeners.

If taking temperatures, use touchless thermometers.

Consider providing multiple screening entries.

Consider designating doorways as “entry only” or “exit only.”

Make employee health screenings as private as possible. 

Do not determine risk based on race or country of origin; be 

sure to maintain confidentiality of each individual’s medical 

status and history [16].
8

Conduct a hazard assessment of the workplace.

Item Completed Ongoing Not 

Started

Not 

Applicable

Identify potential hazards that might expose workers to 

COVID-19.

Use the Worker Protection Tool to identify appropriate 

engineering, administrative, and personal protective 

equipment (PPE) options for your workplace.

Plan for what to do if an employee is sick at work.

Item Completed Ongoing Not 

Started

Not 

Applicable

Immediately separate employees who appear to have 

symptoms [6] from others in the workplace.

Have a procedure for safe transport of a sick employee to home 

or a healthcare facility. 

Develop an action plan for suspected/confirmed cases. 

Item Completed Ongoing Not 

Started

Not 

Applicable

If it has been fewer than 7 days since the sick employee has 

been in the facility:

Close off areas that have been used by the sick person for long 

periods of time (e.g., their desk or workstation).

Wait 24 hours (or as long as possible), then clean and disinfect 

[12] the area. 

Open outside doors and windows to increase air circulation 

during the waiting period.

Item Completed Ongoing Not 

Started

Not 

Applicable

If it has been 7 days or more since the sick employee used 

the facility, additional cleaning and disinfection beyond 

routine efforts is not necessary.

Continued
9

Item Completed Ongoing Not 

Started

Not 

Applicable

Determine which employees may have been exposed to the 

virus and may need to take additional precautions.

Inform employees of their possible exposure 

to COVID-19 in the workplace, but maintain 

confidentiality [17].

Most workplaces can follow the Public Health 

Recommendations for Community-Related Exposure [18].

Critical infrastructure [19] workplaces can follow 

appropriate safety practices [20]. 

2. Maintain healthy business operations

Establish a COVID-19 coordinator. 

Item Completed Ongoing Not 

Started

Not 

Applicable

Identify a coordinator who will be responsible for COVID-19 

issues and their impact at the workplace.

Inform employees who this person is and how to communicate 

with that person.

Implement sick leave policies and practices that are flexible and supportive. 

Item Completed Ongoing Not 

Started

Not 

Applicable

Ensure sick leave policies and practices are consistent with 

public health guidance, follow state and federal workplace laws 

and policies, and are shared with employees. 

Allow employees to stay home, without penalty, to care for a 

sick family member or take care of children due to closures. 

If you do not offer sick leave, consider implementing 

non-punishing “emergency sick leave” policies.

Do not require a COVID-19 test result or a healthcare provider’s 

note for employees who are sick to validate their illness, qualify 

for sick leave, or to return to work. 
10

Protect higher risk employees [21].

Item Completed Ongoing Not 

Started

Not 

Applicable

Support and encourage telework, if available.

Consider offering vulnerable workers [22] duties that minimize 

their contact with customers and other employees (e.g., 

restocking shelves).

Communicate supportive workplace policies. You may need to communicate with non-English speakers in 

their preferred languages

Item Completed Ongoing Not 

Started

Not 

Applicable

Train workers on how new policies to reduce the spread of 

COVID-19 may affect existing health and safety practices. 

Communicate to contractors or on-site visitors about changes 

to help control the spread of COVID-19. 

Create and test communication systems that employees can 

use to self-report if they are sick that you can also use to notify 

employees of exposures and closures.

Assess essential functions and the reliance that others have on your services or products.

Item Completed Ongoing Not 

Started

Not 

Applicable

Prepare to change your business practices, if needed, to 

maintain critical operations.

Identify alternate supply chains for critical goods/services. 

When resuming onsite business operations, prioritize job 

functions for continuous operations. Resume business 

operations in phases.
11

Plan for employee absenteeism spikes. 

Item Completed Ongoing Not 

Started

Not 

Applicable

Monitor absenteeism at work. 

Implement plans to continue essential business functions.

Cross-train employees to perform essential functions.

Establish social distancing [23] policies and practices. 

Item Completed Ongoing Not 

Started

Not 

Applicable

Implement flexible worksites, work hours, and meeting and 

travel options.

Modify the workplace to increase physical space between 

employees, and between employees and customers, to 6 feet 

or more, where feasible.

Use signs, tape marks, or other visual cues to indicate where to 

stand when physical barriers are not possible. 

Have employees and customers wear cloth face coverings (if 

appropriate) [14] when physical barriers or social distancing is 

not possible.

Discourage handshaking or other close contact.

Deliver services remotely.

Move the electronic payment terminal/credit card reader 

farther away from the cashier, if possible.

Shift primary stocking activities to off-peak or after hours, 

when possible. 
12

 Delegate authority to local managers of your business locations.

Item Completed Ongoing Not 

Started

Not 

Applicable

Take appropriate actions outlined in their COVID-19 response 

plans based on their local conditions.

3. Maintain a healthy work environment

Implement controls according to the hierarchy of controls [24] to protect employees and the public.

Item Completed Ongoing Not 

Started

Not 

Applicable

Use the Worker Protection Tool to identify appropriate 

engineering, administrative, and personal protective 

equipment (PPE) options for your workplace.

Modify ventilation systems [25] 

Item Completed Ongoing Not 

Started

Not 

Applicable

Work with building maintenance staff to determine if the 

ventilation system can be modified to increase ventilation rates 

or the percentage of outdoor air that circulates into the system.

Ensure ventilation systems operate properly and provide 

acceptable indoor air quality.

Disable demand-controlled ventilation (DCV).

Further open minimum outdoor air dampers (as high as 100%) 

to reduce or eliminate recirculation. 

Improve central air filtration to MERV-13, or the highest 

compatible with the filter rack, and seal edges of the filter to 

limit bypass.

Ensure the safety of the water system of your building after a prolonged shutdown

Item Completed Ongoing Not 

Started

Not 

Applicable

Follow the CDC Guidance for Building Water Systems [26].
13

Supply employees, customers, and visitors with what they need to clean hands and 

cover coughs and sneezes.

Item Completed Ongoing Not 

Started

Not 

Applicable

Provide tissues, no-touch trash cans, and touchless hand 

sanitizer stations.

Provide soap and water. If soap and water are not readily 

available, provide alcohol-based hand sanitizer that is at least 

60% alcohol. 

Direct employees to visit CDC’s coughing and sneezing 

etiquette [27] and clean hands webpage [28].

Place posters that encourage cough/sneeze etiquette and 

hand hygiene [29-30] at the entrance to and throughout your 

workplace (e.g., bathrooms and kitchens). Include signs for 

non-English speakers, as needed.

Perform routine cleaning and disinfecting. 

Item Completed Ongoing Not 

Started

Not 

Applicable

Follow CDC’s Guidance for Cleaning and Disinfecting [11] to 

develop, implement, and maintain a plan.

Clean all frequently touched surfaces at the beginning and end 

of each shift, at minimum.

Clean dirty surfaces using a detergent or soap and water 

before you disinfect them. 

Disinfect using EPA-registered disinfectant that is 

effective against SARS-CoV-2 [31]. 

Provide disposable disinfecting wipes so employees can wipe 

down commonly used surfaces before each use. 

Store and use disinfectants in a responsible and appropriate 

manner according to the label. 

Do not mix cleaning and disinfection products together. 

Advise employees to always wear gloves and other PPE 

appropriate for the chemicals being used. 
14

Limit travel and advise employees who must travel to take additional precautions and preparations

Item Completed Ongoing Not 

Started

Not 

Applicable

Minimize non-essential travel.

Check the CDC’s Traveler’s Health Notices [32]. 

Advise employees to check for symptoms of COVID-19 [6] 

before travel.

Ensure employees who become sick while traveling or on 

temporary assignment know what to do.

Call a healthcare provider for advice, if needed. 

Notify their supervisor. 

Follow company policy for obtaining medical care when 

traveling outside the United States

Plan meetings and gatherings [13] to lower risk. 

Item Completed Ongoing Not 

Started

Not 

Applicable

Use videoconferencing or teleconferencing, when possible. 

Cancel, adjust, or postpone large work-related meetings or 

gatherings. 

If videoconferencing or teleconferencing is not possible:

Hold meetings in open, well-ventilated spaces. 

Continue to maintain 6 feet between people. 

Wear cloth face coverings (if appropriate) [14].
15

Worker Protection Tool 

For Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)

Consider the exposure that your workers will have to potential sources of COVID-19 

when you resume business operations. Use this tool to identify protective measures 

for interactions between workers and/or the public; revisit the tool on an ongoing 

basis while COVID-19 cases exist. Only complete items that apply to your business. 

See appendix for web resources.

Worker Protections

Engineering

Facilities and Equipment Completed N/A

Assess job hazards for potential benefit of engineering protections.

Ensure ventilation and water systems operate properly.

Alter the workspace to maintain social distancing [23]. Examples include:

Arrange partitions as a barrier shield.

Move electronic payment reader away from cashier.

Use verbal announcements, signs, and visual cues to promote social distancing.

Remove/rearrange furniture.

Provide remote shopping alternatives (e.g., delivery, pick-up).

Administrative—three catagories

Management and Communications Completed N/A

Monitor state and local public health communications about COVID-19.

Encourage sick workers to report symptoms, stay home, and follow CDC guidance.

Consider conducting daily in-person or virtual health checks [15] (e.g., symptom and/

or temperature screening) before employees enter the facility:

Develop strategies to communicate with workers and manage concerns.

Remind workers of available support services.

Communicate to partners, suppliers, and contractors on policies and practices.

Encourage social distancing and use of cloth face coverings (if appropriate) [14] for 

both employees and customers.

Use technology to promote social distancing (e.g., telework, virtual meetings).

Cancel group events.

Continued
16

Management and Communications Completed N/A

Close/limit use of shared spaces.

Ask sick customers to stay home; post signs asking them not to enter if they are sick.

Consider policies that encourage flexible sick leave and alternative work schedules.

Schedule stocking during off-peak hours.

Cleaning and Disinfection Completed N/A

Develop a plan for cleaning and disinfecting [11].

Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces (e.g., counters, shelving, displays).

Provide employees with disposable disinfectant wipes, cleaner, or sprays that are 

effective against the virus that causes COVID-19.

Training Completed N/A

Provide training on:

Policies to reduce the spread of COVID-19

General hygiene

Symptoms, what to do if sick

Cleaning and disinfection

Cloth face covers

Social distancing

Use of PPE

Safe work practices

Stress management

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

PPE Completed N/A

Conduct a workplace hazard assessment.

Determine needed PPE for workers’ job duties based on hazards and existing 

protections.

Select and provide appropriate PPE to workers at no cost.
17

Keep yourself and others safe from 

COVID-19 when returning to work

✔ Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds 

especially after you have been in a public place, after blowing 

your nose, coughing, or sneezing, and after using others’ or shared 

equipment.

✔ If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that 

contains at least 60% alcohol.

✔ Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.

Protect yourself and others from COVID-19 by taking 

everyday preventive actions.

cdc.gov/coronavirus

6 ft

Clean your hands often 

Avoid close contact

✔ Put distance (at least 6 feet) between yourself and other people.

✔ Wear cloth face coverings (if appropriate) when social distancing is 

difficult to maintain. 

✔ Avoid using other employees’ phones, desks, offices, or other work 

tools and equipment, when possible. Clean and disinfect between 

employees if sharing occurs.

✔ Remember that some people without symptoms may be able to 

spread virus.

If you are at increased risk for severe illness...

✔ Contact management to request special accommodations that will 

allow you to perform your job duties safely. 
18

Resources referred to 

throughout the Toolkit 

1. Coronavirus (COVID-19)

go.usa.gov/xvHEE 

2. Workplaces During the 

COVID-19 Pandemic

go.usa.gov/xvucp

3. Restaurants and Bars During the 

COVID-19 Pandemic

go.usa.gov/xvuc7 

4. Interim Guidance for Businesses 

and Employers to Plan and 

Respond to Coronavirus Disease 

2019 (COVID-19) 

go.usa.gov/xvHma 

5. Directory of local health 

departments

bit.ly/LHDDirectory 

6. Symptoms of Coronavirus

go.usa.gov/xvHmR 

7. What to Do If You Are Sick

go.usa.gov/xvHsF

8. Discontinuation of Isolation for 

Persons with COVID -19 Not in 

Healthcare Settings 

go.usa.gov/xvHem 

9. Caring for Someone Sick at 

Home 

go.usa.gov/xvHew 

10. When and How to Wash Your 

Hands

go.usa.gov/xvz7T 
19

11. Reopening Guidance for 

Cleaning and Disinfecting Public 

Spaces, Workplaces, Businesses, 

Schools, and Homes

go.usa.gov/xvz7R 

12. Cleaning and Disinfecting Your 

Facility

go.usa.gov/xvzH2 

13. Gatherings and Community 

Events 

go.usa.gov/xvHeJ 

14. Use of Cloth Face Coverings to 

Help Slow the Spread of COVID19

go.usa.gov/xvzH8 

15. General Business Frequently 

Asked Questions 

go.usa.gov/xvHtY 

16. EEOC’s What You Should 

Know About the ADA, the 

Rehabilitation Act and the 

Coronavirus 

go.usa.gov/xvHt5 

17. Americans with Disabilities Act

go.usa.gov/xvHtF 

18. Public Health 

Recommendations for 

Community-Related Exposure 

go.usa.gov/xvHz3 

19. CISA’s Guidance on the Essential 

Critical Infrastructure Workforce 

go.usa.gov/xvHuV 

20. Implementing Safety Practices 

for Critical Infrastructure 

Workers Who May Have Had 

Exposure to a Person with 

Suspected or Confirmed COVID19 

go.usa.gov/xvHus 

21. People Who Are at Higher Risk 

for Severe Illness

go.usa.gov/xvHJ8 

22. People Who Need to Take Extra 

Precautions 

go.usa.gov/xvHSR 
20

23. Social Distancing 

go.usa.gov/xvHhV 

24. Hierarchy of Controls 

go.usa.gov/xvHhM 

25. ASHRAE’s Guidance for 

Building Operations During the 

COVID-19 Pandemic

bit.ly/ASHRAECOVID19 

26. Guidance for Reopening 

Buildings After Prolonged 

Shutdown or Reduced 

Operation 

go.usa.gov/xvHhh 

27. Coughing and Sneezing 

go.usa.gov/xv6qN 

28. Handwashing: Clean Hands 

Save Lives 

go.usa.gov/xv6qJ 

29. Print Resources 

go.usa.gov/xv6qa 

30. Health Promotion Materials 

go.usa.gov/xv6q4 

31. List N: Disinfectants for Use 

Against SARS-CoV-2 

go.usa.gov/xv635 

32. CDC’s Travel Health Notices 

go.usa.gov/xv63R 
21

Additional Resources 

COVID-19 Factsheets for Businesses 

and Employers 

go.usa.gov/xv63M

Personal Protective Equipment 

go.usa.gov/xv63h 

Occupational Safety and Health 

Administration (OSHA) Standards

go.usa.gov/xv6ph 

U.S. Department of Labor 

go.usa.gov/xv6da 

U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity 

Commission 

go.usa.gov/xv6dY 

Coping with Stress 

go.usa.gov/xv6dg 

Hazard Identification and 

Assessment 

go.usa.gov/xv6dT 

How to Protect Yourself and Others 

go.usa.gov/xv6dV 

OSHA Ten Steps

go.usa.gov/xv6dd 

State & Territorial Health 

Department Websites 

go.usa.gov/xv6dG 
cdc.gov/coronavirus