HR News

COVID-19 Update: 5/4/20

On Friday, 1 May, Fresno City Manager Wilma Quan issued Emergency Order 2020-16. This order supersedes prior orders, including the order issued 10 April. The new order is effective at 12:01 a.m. Thursday, May 7, (just after midnight Wednesday evening) and will remain in effect through 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, May 31, 2020.

This order is largely similar to the prior Emergency Order, with the following changes:

• The use of facial coverings is required when visiting businesses and public places, except for children under age two or those with a preventive medical condition. (3.3)
• City parks are to be closed the weekends of Mother’s Day and Memorial Day. (3.5.8.2)
• The category “authorized businesses” is added to “essential businesses” and “non-essential businesses.” Authorized businesses are those which are not essential but which are “still important to the economic and social well-being of the community.” (2.2)

While there are not yet specific details on what constitutes an authorized business, the City of Fresno will provide a phased plan for authorized businesses to begin reopening. The first phases will allow low- and lower-risk businesses to reopen, and later phases will allow higher-risk businesses to reopen.

In order to reopen, authorized businesses will be required to comply with Social Distancing Protocol outlined in 3.6 (section 2.5 in the previous order). This includes:

• Limiting the number of people in the facility (3.6.1)
• Marking six-foot increments where individuals form lines (3.6.2)
• Providing hand-sanitizer or soap/water near entrances and throughout the facility (3.6.3)
• Providing contactless payment systems or disinfecting devices after each use (3.6.4)
• Disinfecting high-touch surfaces regularly (3.6.5)
• Screening employees and visitors, but not customers, as directed by Fresno County (3.6.6)
• Requiring employees to wear protective facial coverings (3.6.7)

Additionally, authorized businesses must post their social distancing protocol, using Appendix A (or something similar), before they will be certified and authorized to reopen. This posting must be at least 11×17 inches.

A more detailed list of essential and non-essential businesses is available on this page at fresno.gov. That page should be updated this week with more information on authorized businesses.

News Release

Emergency Order 2020-16

COVID-19 UPDATE: 4/10/20

Today, Fresno City Manager, Wilma Quan, issued a new Emergency Order 2020-13, which supersedes the prior Emergency Order of March 18, 2020. The new Order is effective Saturday, April 11, 2020 (Friday, just after midnight) and will remain in effect through 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday, May 6, 2020.
 
The intent of this Order is to ensure the maximum number of people self-isolate at home to slow the spread of COVID-19, and preempt critical strain on healthcare services.
 
Significant business changes include:

• Essential Businesses are directed to maximize the number of employees who telework. (2.3)
• “Businesses that include an Essential Business component at their facilities alongside non-essential components must, to the extent feasible, scale down their operations to the Essential Business component only; provided, however, that mixed retail and wholesale businesses that are otherwise under this order may continue to stock and sell non-essential products.” (2.4, emphasis added)
• Essential businesses must post their Social Distancing Protocol (Appendix A) as a notice by Wednesday night. The posting size must be at minimum 11×17 inches. Businesses may be asked to provide proof of implementation. (2.5)
• Specifically, Essential Businesses must (as applicable):
  • Limit the number of people in the facility (2.5.1)
  • Mark 6-foot increments where there are lines (2.5.2)
  • Provide hand sanitizer, soap/water, etc. near the entrance and at other locations (2.5.3)
  • Provide contactless payment systems or disinfect after each use (2.5.4, emphasis added)
  • Disinfect high-touch surfaces regularly (2.5.5)
  • Screen employees and visitors as directed by Fresno County (2.5.6)
  • Require employees to wear protective facial coverings (2.5.7)
• A more detailed list of essential and non-essential businesses is posted on the City of Fresno’s website at www.fresno.gov)

The timing of this order also coincides with restricting multi-household gatherings this Easter weekend. As per Section 2.6: “All public and private gatherings of any number of people occurring outside a single household or living unit are prohibited, except for the limited purposes as expressly permitted herein. Nothing in this Order prohibits members of a household or living unit from engaging in Essential Activities together.”

The penalties for non-compliance with this Emergency Order may result in business closure.  As per Section 2.8.23: “For repeated or egregious violations of the required closure, limitations, or social distancing requirements at a business location or facility, a police officer, with the approval of the Police Chief, or designee, or a code enforcement officer, with the approval of the City Attorney, or designee, may summarily order a business to terminate operations and close until further notice, or for the duration of the emergency.”

Recognizing Our Community Heroes

A hero could be defined as a person or organization that goes beyond what is normally expected of them in order to make a difference in others’ lives. The healthcare workers and first responders throughout our country are certainly heroes in the fight against COVID-19. No doubt you have heard stories or seen social media posts about other everyday people who are doing what they can to help those in need. 

At Sierra HR Partners, we want to recognize and appreciate our clients who have adapted their systems, started new programs, and found other creative ways to support our community in this challenging time. For example, Snowflake Designs, a Clovis-based manufacturer of gymnastics leotards and apparel, has shifted to sewing masks for healthcare professionals. Vino Grille & Spirits, a Fresno restaurant, is offering grocery shopping services to local residents who are not able to get to stores themselves. These examples of ingenuity and human-kindness make us even more proud to support these companies throughout the year.

If your business has shifted gears in response to Coronavirus concerns, we want to publicly recognize and appreciate YOU! 
Please send us an e-mail letting us know how you’re being a hero to our community, or have adapted your services to weather this difficult time.  We would welcome the opportunity to feature your story in upcoming newsletters.
THANK YOU so much for all you are doing. We know that your efforts are keeping your workers employed, providing vital services, and saving lives.   

UPCOMING WEBINAR

Thursday, April 9, 2020
9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. 
$25 / a person, 3 or more attendees for / $20 per person
Register Via E-Mail | Pre-Pay and Register Online 

The COVID-19 pandemic and the government measures enacted to curb it’s spread have caused us to consider the ways we’ve always worked. Join us for a discussion of important factors to consider as we continue to work, on-site and virtually.

This interactive webinar will teach participants about:

• Adopting safety measures to protect employees and keep the workplace safe
• Navigating virtual work/telecommuting
• Complying with reimbursement requirements

Note: Group discount is not available through EventBrite. Please e-mail Kayla for group discount. 
An RSVP is a commitment to pay. All registered attendees will be billed, regardless of failure to log-on. No refunds or cancellations. Substitutions will be accepted.
Webinar log-on information and handout will be provided via e-mail 24 hours prior to the event.