By CBJ News Staff
news@corridorbusiness.com
Linn County Public Health has released new guidance aimed at helping businesses and organizations reopen while also protecting the health of employees, patrons and the general public.
The agency has provided general guidance for all groups, as well as more detailed guidelines for specific sectors such as campgrounds, health clubs, malls, restaurants and bars, and more. Those can be found here.
In general, LCPH is recommending a three-phase reopening, in which each phase’s progress is determined by 10 key disease and resource metrics, categorized under epidemiology, health care and public health. Each of those metrics must be met before moving to the next phase of the reopening process, according to the department.
Under Phase One, businesses and organizations are encouraged to limit their operations until:
- The number of positive tests, COVID-19 cases and deaths falls for at least 14 days
- There is sufficient personal protective equipment (PPE) for all health care workers and face masks for all patients, even if cases double
- Hospitals report more discharges than admissions for COVID-19 within a seven day period
- LCPH is able to contact, interview and test all people who are symptomatic
Phase Two can be entered once the sustained reduction in cases extends for an additional 14 days, while Phase Three is reserved for when all previous criteria are met and a COVID-19 vaccine is available.
The agency has also offered general health protocols for businesses, including screening employees for temperatures higher than 100.4, promoting telework and remote work as long as possible, staggering employee work stations and discouraging the use of communal items.
Data associated with each phase and phase status can be found on Linn County Public Health’s COVID-19 response page. CBJ
