CDC’S Top Considerations for Reopening Your Office

Create a COVID-19 Workplace Health and Safety Plan

A written policy provides workers a sense of comfort knowing that the business owner has assessed the physical structure to see if it’s ready for occupancy and provides guidance on who should return to work and how they should act once there.

The plan should address:

• Mechanical and life safety systems
• Any hazards that could have arisen with a prolonged shutdown such as mold growth, pests or stagnant water
• Ways to increase circulation of outdoor air and to increase total airflow supply to occupied spaces
• Water systems safety
• Hazard identification that could increase risks of COVID-19 transmission
• Communication plans for how to act in common areas and meeting rooms
• Seats, furniture and workstation placement and/or transparent shields installation that helps maintain social distancing
• Signage, tape marks or other visual cues to encourage distancing
• Replacement of high-touch communal items with pre-packaged, single-serving items
• Encouraging workers to take responsibility to stay home if sick or exposed to COVID-19
• Staggered shifts, start and break times to reduce number of employees in common areas
• Policies for visitors such as cloth face coverings and/or notification of visit
• Increased disinfection rotation for high-touch surfaces

For more information about these and other ideas, please visit the CDC’s Employer Information for Office Buildings website.