TO: All Georgia Businesses and Local Chambers of Commerce
RE: Business Guidance Regarding State and Local Ordinances
DATE: March 25, 2020 @ 1:00PM
The following is based upon regulations as of March 25, 2020 at noon.
As local governments begin implementing a variety of COVID-19 response ordinances, the Georgia Chamber is working with local chambers to clarify intent and to provide guidance for local business. Based on current information, here are our recommendations:
1. Every Georgia business should implement their plans to protect the health and safety of their employees and customers.
2. Every Georgia business should follow the CDC social distancing guidelines. All businesses should make every effort to ensure adequate social distancing occurs by maintaining at least six feet of personal space or as otherwise recommended by the CDC, and providing a station(s) to wash hands with warm water and antibacterial soap, hand sanitizer containing at least 60 percent alcohol, or both, according to the ordinance.
3. Businesses operating in localities that have not implemented restrictions should follow the Governor’s direction to limit public gatherings to 10 or fewer and, if they decide to remain operational, should strictly enforce social distancing. For example, if your manufacturing facility employees 400 you should ensure that they remain 6 feet apart or seek further guidance from the Department of Public Health. We also recommend providing employees with masks, gloves and other health personal protection equipment (PPE) as needed.
4. Essential businesses and services are not considered to be social gatherings
.
5. If your community has implemented an “Essential Business and Services Only” order, we have strongly recommended that they follow the pre-approved Department of Homeland Security (DHS) list of critical industries for national continuity. That list can be found here: https://www.cisa.gov/publication/guidance-essential-critical-infrastructure-workforce. Those companies operating as “essential” should also continue to prioritize the safety of their employees.
6. If your community has implemented a “shelter in place” order without an “Essential Business and Services Only” order, we recommend you reach out to your local chamber or elected officials to comply with their specific order and continue to follow Governor Kemp’s Executive Order noted in (3) above.
The impact from COVID-19 continues to change by the hour and we will work to provide the best information possible in real-time as we communicate with our partners around the state and country. For real-time COVID-19 updates out of the Georgia Chamber, please visit our website at www.gachamber.com/covid19.
See full document here GA Chamber Business Guidance
