Reopening CT – What You Need to Know

Reopening CT

With the health and safety of employees coming first, the state of Connecticut has just released the regulations for offices to open safely on May 20^th.

You can read and print out the full document compiled by the state by clicking here or by visiting the state’s COVID-19 response page.

Here are the big takeaways everyone should be paying attention to as the reopen date approaches:

• Capacity limit of 50% for businesses that reopen.
• Strict cleaning and disinfection protocols in all settings.
• Those who can work from home should continue to do so.
• Those in high-risk groups and over 65 should continue to stay safe & stay home.
• Face-masks should continue to be worn in public at all times.
• Install touch-less appliances wherever possible.
• Social gatherings will be restricted to a maximum of 5 people.
• Post clear signage that reinforces new policies and includes the state hotline (211) for employees and customers to report potential violations of these rules.
• Install visual social distancing markers to encourage employees to remain 6 ft. apart (e.g., in the lobby, in workspaces).
• Encourage social distancing while using elevators.
• Use partitions between employees where a 6 ft. distance cannot be maintained, where possible.
• Rearrange space to maintain 6 ft. of distance between employees and stagger the position of desks so employees can avoid sitting opposite each other. This may require keeping some desks empty and/or marking desks that should not be used.
• Where possible, segment the workspace into discrete zones, prevent movement between zones, and close spaces where employees congregate (e.g., individuals stay on a single floor, or single part of the office).
• Ensure employees do not share equipment to the extent possible. If shared, clean after each use.
• Increase ventilation rates and increase the percentage of outdoor air that circulates into the system where possible.
• Close or remove amenities non-essential to businesses’ main function.

Now what? 

Reopening CT

Infinity Group has 5 tips to give you a jump-start on the important work ahead.

1. Identify an internal Fit For Work committee today, focused on office and operations enhancements.
2. Find a trustworthy partner for the design and construction work needed for compliance. Infinity Group does both.
3. Understand that every employee or tenant will have a different experience and level of comfort with the return and safety measures taken.
4. Remain flexible with employee schedules and work from home requests.
5. Once open, check in weekly with your Fit For Work committee to gauge the success of safety measures in place and discuss additional enhancements.

We get it. There is a lot of new information coming out, sometimes daily, about the next right move for businesses looking to reopen. This new set of comprehensive guidelines from the state, while clear, is still a lot to implement if you want to reopen soon.

Infinity Group has been designing and building offices for more than a decade, and we can help you now. At the beginning of this crisis we moved quickly to develop Fit For Work. The program helps companies navigate this new normal in a comprehensive way. You can download your free Fit For Work checklist right now to see where you stand.

Also, visit our website to learn more about how Fit For Work can get you ready in the short-term and set your office up for long-term success.

Reopening CT

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