COVID-19 Businesses

Click Here for information on COVID-19 Policy & Regulations

5-16-22: Due to rising rates of new COVID-19 cases, SMCHD recommends that community members age 2 and older wear a mask when in crowded indoor public settings. Masking is especially important for those who may be at higher risk for severe illness, such as seniors, those with chronic medical illnesses, and high-risk worker (healthcare, first responders, food service, retail/grocery, etc.).

Recommendations for Local Businesses

Local businesses/employers can do their part to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in our community by following these public health recommendations:

• When the COVID-19 Community Level is high, require customers and employees to wear a mask in shared indoor spaces
  • Example Signage: Masks Required｜Masks Recommended 
• Offer incentive programs to encourage employees and/or customers to get a COVID-19 vaccine
  • Implement policies requiring employee vaccination
• Make improvements to building ventilation and use HEPA air purifier units/filtration systems
• Make handwashing or hand sanitizer readily available to employees and customers
• Offer delivery or curbside service options

The best way to protect yourself and others is by getting a COVID-19 Vaccine. 

Additional Resources & Information for Businesses

• St. Mary’s County Department of Economic Development
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Additional Business Strategies

Businesses and employers can play a key role in preventing and slowing the spread of COVID-19 within the workplace. Consider the following recommendations, especially when the COVID-19 Community Level is high.

Environmental Recommendations

• Make improvements to building ventilation
  • Keep windows open as feasible
  • Use HEPA air purifier units/filtration systems
  • Increase percentage of outdoor air that circulates into the ventilation system
• Provide tissues and no-touch disposal receptacles
• Provide soap and water for regular hand washing
• Place hand sanitizers (at least 60% alcohol) in multiple locations
• Post signs encouraging hand hygiene in high visibility areas
• Regularly clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces (workstations, keyboards, telephones, handrails, doorknobs, etc.)
  • Click here for a list of products that are EPA-approved for use against the virus that causes COVID-19
  • Provide disposable wipes for commonly used surfaces (for example, doorknobs, keyboards, remote controls, desks, other work tools and equipment) 

Strategies to Protect Employees

• Require customers and employees to wear a mask in shared indoor spaces when the COVID-19 Community Level is high
• Offer vaccine incentive programs to encourage employees to get a COVID-19 vaccine
• Implement policies requiring employee vaccination
• Screen employees for symptoms and fever prior to each shift
• Encourage sick employees to stay home
  • Implement flexible sick leave and supportive policies
• If possible, implement flexible worksites (e.g., telework), work hours (e.g., staggered shifts) and meeting options (e.g. phone, video, or web)
• Increase physical space between employees required to be at the worksite
• Increase physical space between employees and customers (e.g., drive-thru, partitions, etc.)
• Discourage workers from sharing phones, desks, offices, or other work tools and equipment, when possible – If necessary, clean and disinfect them before and after use

Physical Distancing

Distancing measures can to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Consider implementing the following when the COVID-19 Community Level is high:

• Increase capacity to offer curbside pick-up and delivery services
• Mark floors to ensure adequate distance between customers
• Limit the number of people allowed in the facility at one time
• Establish zones within the facility (such as aisles or sections) that only allow a certain number of people at a time
• Establish customer flow patterns to avoid contact between customers (e.g., times or days designated for certain age groups)
• Ensure that customers are not congregating in lines (mark 6 feet distancing for lines)
• These practices require employee monitoring and enforcement for successful implementation

Communications to Local Businesses

• 1-10-22: Letter to Business Owners on Local COVID-19 Prevention Measures for Businesses
• 11-6-20: Updated FAQs – Governor’s Order for Masks & Distancing
• 6-4-20: Tips for Flushing Your Building’s Water System and Devices
• 5-20-20: Food Service Facilities – Reopening Guidance & Temporary Outdoor Seating Application
• 4-17-20: Updated FAQs – Governor’s Order for Masks & Distancing
• 4-14-20: FAQS for Public Health Order for Enhanced Consumer & Employee Safety (superseded by Governor’s Order #20-04-15-01)
• 4-13-20: Public Health Order for Enhanced Consumer & Employee Safety
• 4-7-20 Letter to Local Businesses on Social Distancing Requirements
• 3-31-20: Letter to Local Businesses from St. Mary’s County Department of Economic Development
• 3-23-20: Statewide Order Closing Non-Essential Businesses – Interpretive Guidance
• 3-16-20: Statewide Restrictions Announced for Bars, Restaurants, Movie Theaters and Gyms Related to COVID-19 
• 3-10-20: Letter to Food Service Facilities
• 3-4-20: Letter to Businesses/Employers on COVID-19

BACK TO COVID-19 HOME PAGE

Additional Resources

• OSHA COVID-19 Vaccine & Testing FAQs
• CDC: COVID-19 Information
• Maryland COVID-19 Dashboard & Information
• Maryland Coronavirus Rumor Control Website
• State of Maryland Executive Orders
• EPA List of Cleaning Products for Use Against Novel Coronavirus

Updated: 5/17/2022