On May 18, 2020, Mayor Carlos A. Gimenez is set to commence reopening Miami-Dade County and allow non-essential business to re-open under new stringent guidelines. Part of this plan includes a color flag identification system designed to show the status of the continuum of the new normal.
RED: Most stringent closures; only essential businesses open; social distancing and facial covering requirements in place;
ORANGE: Parks and open spaces open; preparations taking place to reopen other sectors with strict capacity requirements in place; social distancing and facial covering requirements in place;
YELLOW: Limited opening of non-essential businesses and other facilities; strict capacity requirements in place; social distancing and facial covering requirements in place;
GREEN: More expansive opening of businesses and facilities; capacity requirements expanded; social distancing and facial covering requirements in place;
BLUE: New Normal is in place; all businesses and facilities open; social distancing and facial coverings encouraged.
Business that choose to open must follow some of the following strict requirements:
- Facial coverings must be worn at all times when social distancing is not possible;
- Employees must stay 6 feet away from each other;
- Common access points such as doors, handles, light switches and elevator buttons must be sanitized;
- Bathrooms must be sanitized every two to three hours;
- Virtual meetings are encouraged and employees are urged to work from home if possible;
- CDC signage on “Stop the Spread of Germs” must be posted in the workplace and employees must be trained in new operating procedures to deal with Covid-19 issues.
For a more exhaustive list of requirements and suggestions, please see The New Normal, A Guide for Residents and Commercial Establishments.
Some Concerns Moving forward under the new normal
Moving forward during these new strange and challenging times, some valid concerns are raised. For example, according to The New Normal, any business establishment which has an employee or contractor test positive for Covid-19 must close for the shorter of 14 days or the time it would take to have every employee tested and the business sanitized. Specific guidelines also exist for retail and small business. Also, staggered employee breaks, having a single point of entry and queues to pay at a cashier are strongly recommended. Merchandise that has been tried on must not be returned to shelves for 24 hours or until it has been properly sanitized.
Restaurants are also imposing special requirements to ensure that servers must maintain their masks on, social distancing markers must be placed on the ground, menus must be disposable and indoor restaurants must not operate at more than 50% capacity.
The attorneys at G&R Law are able to assist you in reviewing the new protocols of your business to ensure you are in compliance with the New Normal Guidelines. G&R Law will work with you during these trying times and within your financial means to help you and your business recover from Covid-19.
Please click on the link to contact G&R Law and set up your free of charge telephonic or video appointment.
Stay safe during these trying times.
