Re-Opening Virginia Guidelines
On Monday, Virginia Governor Northam announced a tentative plan to re-open Virginia and it’s economy. Look for specific guidelines for various business sectors in the next few days, hopefully.
The Governor’s Three Phases for reopening Virginia (each phase ranges 2-4 weeks)
Phase 1 for reopening in Virginia would mean: (Estimated start date 5.15.2020)
- Policies to keep customers and workers separate at in-person businesses
- Conferences and trade shows limited, as short as possible
- No social gatherings of more than 10 individuals
- Short breaks for workers to wash hands
- Lower capacities in gyms, restaurants, and shops.
Phase 2 for reopening in Virginia would mean:
- Stay-at-home for vulnerable populations only
- No social gatherings of more than 50 people
- Continued social distancing
- Face coverings recommended in public
- Further easing of business limitations
Phase 3 for reopening in Virginia would mean:
- Safer at home for vulnerable populations
- Remove the ban on social gatherings
- Remove capacity limits on establishments
- Continue heightened cleaning and disinfection
- Possible other measures
If you have been closed or business activities have been curtailed, now is the time to start planning re-opening.
- Plan for your business operations
- Plan for your staff
- Plan for financial reality
For businesses dependent on in-person customers, start thinking about social distancing, customer capacity and crowd control. Every business needs a plan for sanitation and employee and customer protection. Don’t forget your marketing message, and be aware, one bad social media post or moment will spread like a virus. The opening is coming, eventually, so use the next week or weeks productively to look ahead.