COVID-19 Exposure Reduction Recommendations for Oroville Businesses

COVID-19 Exposure Reduction Recommendations for Oroville Businesses

The City of Oroville supports a strong, vibrant and healthy business community.  In order to reduce virus exposure, businesses and every resident are crucial partners who can voluntarily implement appropriate exposure reduction measures within the community.  Implementing does not exempt a non-essential business from having to comply with the Governor’s orders.  

The Centers for Disease Control provides guidance for businesses at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/guidance-business-response.html to plan and respond to the virus. 
    
The City desires to partner with businesses and encourage prudent protective behaviors, with the goal of avoiding further restrictions having to be leveled from government authorities.  Thus, for Oroville businesses and individuals, it is recommended that the following measures be implemented.

1. Social Distancing – To safeguard the public health and minimize virus spread, all persons are strongly encouraged to stay at least 6 feet from other people, not to gather in groups, to stay out of crowded places and to avoid mass gatherings;

1. Face Covering – To minimize exposure when social distancing is difficult to maintain and to further slow the spread of the virus, all persons are strongly encouraged to wear a nose and mouth covering when in public settings, especially in areas of significant community-based transmission;

1. Exposure Reduction Protocol –any business operating within the City of Oroville is strongly encouraged to implement an Exposure Reduction Protocol.  Only essential businesses are authorized to be open, and any opened business is asked to implement these Exposure Reduction Protocols.   Elements within the protocol include:

1. Priority Measures
   1. Signage
      1. Signage at each public entrance of the facility to inform all employees and customers that they should: 
         1. avoid entering the facility if they have a cough or fever 
         2. maintain a minimum six-foot distance from one another 
         3. not shake hands or engage in any unnecessary physical contact
         4. to please only touch what you intend to buy
      2. Posting completed, City-approved Exposure Reduction Protocol at each business entrance visible to employees and customers;
   2. Measures to Protect Employee Health
      1. All employees have been told not to come to work if sick or feeling sick;
      2. All desks, individual workstations, or workspaces are separated by at least six feet;
      3. Break rooms, bathrooms, and other common areas are being disinfected frequently;
      4. Disinfectant and related supplies are available to all employees;
      5. Hand sanitizer effective against COVID-19 is available to all employees;
      6. Soap and water are available to all employees; 
      7. Copies of the Exposure Reduction Protocol have been distributed to all employees;
   3. Measures to Increase Sanitization
      1. Disinfecting wipes that are effective against COVID-19 are available near shopping carts and shopping baskets;
      2. Employee(s) assigned to disinfect carts and baskets regularly;
      3. Hand sanitizer, soap, and water, or effective disinfectant is available to the public at or near the entrance of the facility, at checkout counters, and anywhere else inside the store or immediately outside where people have direct interactions; and
      4. Disinfecting all payment portals, pens, and styluses after each use; and
      5. Disinfecting all high-contact surfaces frequently.

1. 1. Additional Measures, if applicable to specific business
      1. Measures to Prevent Crowds from Gathering
         1. Limit the number of customers in the store at any one time to a specified number which allows for customers and employees to easily maintain at least six-foot distance from one another at all practicable times;
         2. Placing per-person limits on goods that are selling out quickly to reduce crowds and lines;
      2. Measures to Keep People at Least Six Feet Apart
         1. Placing signs outside the store reminding people to be at least six feet apart, including when in line;
         2. Placing tape or other markings at least six feet apart in customer line areas inside the store and on sidewalks at public entrances with signs directing customers to use the markings to maintain distance;
         3. Separate order areas from delivery areas to prevent customers from gathering;
         4. All employees have been instructed to maintain at least six feet distance from customers and from each other, except employees may momentarily come closer when necessary to accept payment, deliver goods or services, or as otherwise necessary;
      3. Measures to Prevent Unnecessary Contact
         1. Preventing people from self-serving any items that are food-related
            1. Lids for cups and food-bar type items are provided by staff; not to customers to grab, and
            2. Bulk-item food bins are not available for customer self-service use.
         2. Not permitting customers to bring their own bags, mugs, or other reusable items from home;
         3. Providing for contactless payment systems or, if not feasible, sanitizing payments systems regularly.