The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has released a guide on how to safely reopen schools, bars, and restaurants and other establishments after lawmakers have repeatedly called on the agency to give clear instruction.
The “decision tools” that the CDC unveiled recommends that all establishments hold off on reopening unless they can properly protect employees, especially those who are considered high risk for severe complications due to COVID-19. This would include employees who are 65 and older and those with underlying medical conditions. If an establishment is able to meet protection criteria, the agency recommends that they ramp up cleaning and sanitation efforts.
The flowchart-like document states that schools, child care centers, and camps should not open their doors unless they are able to properly evaluate employees and children for symptoms on a daily basis, implement coronavirus screening practices, and identify potential past exposures to COVID-19. Mass transit agencies are also asked not to increase services unless they can implement protection measures for high-risk workers as well. Restaurants and bars, which have been a hot topic in terms of reopenings as of late, are encouraged to implement similar symptom monitoring for their employees. All establishments that plan to reopen are asked to be sure that they are adhering to state and local stay-at-home orders.
“It is important to check with state and local health officials and other partners
to determine the most appropriate actions while adjusting to meet the unique needs and circumstances of the local community,” the document states.
The next phase of these guidelines being accepted and implemented by establishments will depend upon whether or not the Trump administration and state officials promote the guidelines.
