5/22/20 COVID-19 UPDATE

Fresno’s New Emergency Order
Late yesterday, the City of Fresno released Emergency Order 2020-17. This emergency order provides additional details about announcements made at yesterday’s press conference.

All businesses that are not prohibited by the state from operating are authorized to open to the public. Open businesses must continue to post their Social Distancing Protocol (Appendix A), and businesses must “require their employees, customers, vendors and others to wear cloth facial coverings.”

Restaurant dining rooms may reopen as of May 21, 2020, provided they 1) notify the Fresno County Department of Public Health and 2) follow city, county, and state guidelines. To notify the County, restaurants must complete the document COVID-19 Restaurant Operating Procedures and email it to EnvironmentalHealth@fresnocountyca.gov. Businesses can contact the Environmental Health Department with questions at 559.600.3357.

What Now?
Now that businesses may reopen, it is important to have a plan in place. That plan might include:

• Background Investigations – This is not the time to take chances on applicants. Ensure you re-open effectively by hiring the right staff. Use background checks to discover what applicants haven’t told you. Sierra HR Partners provides compliant background investigation reports with a 48-hour turn-around to help you make informed decisions.
• Written Re-employment Offers – Former employees have likely been taking advantage of lucrative unemployment benefits. These benefits draw, in part, from your business account. As you reopen, document employment offers so that employees are encouraged to come back to work rather than to continue drawing on these benefits.
• Safety Plans – It is critical for your business to have a plan in place that details how you will prevent and respond to infection. Not only will this keep you and your customers safe, but failure to plan will risk government fines and penalties. Don’t be overwhelmed by the extensive state guidelines for your industry. Sierra HR Partners can help you develop an infection-specific plan, or to adapt COVID-19 safety measures into your current Injury and Illness Prevention Plan. Don’t let planning difficulties keep you from taking advantage of the reopening economy.