COVID-19 Information & Resources

We are living through a very difficult time right now as our country struggles to contain the COVID-19 virus. One of the most important things to all of us right now is access to reliable information about closures, public orders, and other directives.

The Chamber is working hard to make sure we convey that information as quickly and accurately as possible. As fast as things are moving the best place for you to access that information is on our website or by friending Monte Chamber on Facebook.

At this point most events and meetings in our community have been postponed or canceled, that goes for our Chamber meetings as well.

The following settings will remain at the current level of guidance, with no changes: 

·         Retail shops will remain open, with social distancing required. 

·         Salons, barbershops, and personal services remain at existing restrictions. 

·         Childcare and youth programs whose primary goal is childcare remain open. 

·         Schools continue to operate under the Safe Learning Plan, which moves between distance, in-person, and hybrid models depending on the severity of the virus at the local level. 

·         Places of worship – with appropriate social distancing, masking, and other mitigation measures – remain at the same capacity. 

·         Outdoor recreation with members of your household is allowed. In certain activities i.e. skiing, you may go indoors to rent skis, but you will not be able to eat, drink or lounge indoors.  

 EXECUTIVE ORDER (EO) 20-96

EXECUTIVE ORDER 20-81

(Updated November 11, 2020)

The Montevideo Area Chamber of Commerce stands in support of Governor Tim Walz’s statewide masking requirement.

COVID-19 has impacted every corner of our state and every aspect of our lives. As Minnesotans so often do, we’ve come together to protect ourselves, our loved ones, and our neighbors. We’ve done it in many ways – some simple, some more onerous. We’ve worked from home, grappled with e-learning for our children, forgone trips to the gym, and dealt with isolation and loneliness. We’ve missed milestones of all types – celebrations like graduation and birthday parties, as well as sadder occasions like funerals and good-byes. We did all this together, with the hopes that our shared sacrifice would spare thousands more from illness and death.

We’ve made progress in slowing the spread of COVID-19 here in Minnesota. But as we watch other states deal with rising numbers, we know the threat is still very real. We must continue to come together.

Doctors and researchers have told us that wearing a mask or other face covering is a simple and effective step we can take to slow the spread of the virus. It is something that many of us are able to do – and something that everyone who is able should do. The simple act of grabbing your mask as you leave your home can have enormous impact, protecting yourself and those around you.

We applaud Governor Walz for issuing a mask requirement, taking the onus off of individual business owners, restaurant and retail workers, and cities and counties to require and monitor on their own. Wearing a mask helps keep our businesses open.

We ask all Minnesotans to do the right thing and wear a mask when necessary. The shared sacrifice of wearing a mask is most certainly worth the reward of getting back to our lives.

FAQ-‘Mask Required’ Sign PDF’s

https://mn.gov/covid19/media/share-message/for-businesses/index.jsp

FAQ-Requirement to Wear Face Coverings

https://mn.gov/tourism-industry/assets/FAQ.Masks.07.21.20_tcm1135-441087.pdf

What are the requirements for face coverings at work? 

Generally, workers are required to wear a face covering at all times when indoors, when outdoors in situations where social distancing cannot be maintained, or when specific industry guidance has stricter requirements. Please see Stay Safe Guidance for Businesses and Organizations to find information about specific work industries. Industry-specific requirements that differ from or impose greater requirements than the Executive Order are also summarized at Face Covering Requirements and Recommendations under Executive Order 20-81. Businesses are responsible for clearly communicating the applicable requirements to their workers.

The Executive Order also identifies a number of situations where a face covering may be temporarily removed, such as when a worker is working alone (for example, when in a closed office, a cubicle with walls above face height when social distancing is maintained, or other enclosed space with no other individuals present). In addition, if a worker cannot wear a face covering due to a medical condition, mental health condition, or disability, a business must provide an accommodation to the worker if possible.

Are businesses responsible for requiring that workers, customers, and visitors wear a face covering?  

Yes, it is the responsibility of the business to require that its workers, customers, and visitors are wearing face coverings consistent with the provisions of Executive Order 20-81.

Businesses must update their COVID-19 Preparedness Plan to align with the requirements of Executive Order 20-81. Businesses must also communicate to workers and customers that face coverings must be worn when required by the Executive Order—meaning, when indoors, for both customers and workers, and also when outdoors for workers, when social distancing cannot be maintained—unless circumstances allow for the temporarily removal of the face covering. At a minimum, businesses must communicate face covering requirements by clearly posting signage in places that are visible to all workers, customers, and visitors. A best practice would be for businesses to notify customers about face covering requirements through communication while they are making reservations, appointments, or placing orders for pickup.

Where can business owners find masking materials for their storefront?

Digital and print materials related to the #MaskUpMN campaign are available for download on the State of Minnesota’s COVID-19 website.

What should a business do when a worker, customer, or visitor claims to be exempt from the face covering mandate? 

The Executive Order contains exemptions to the face covering mandate, including for certain medical and mental health conditions and disabilities. When a customer or visitor claims to be exempt due to a medical or mental health condition or disability, businesses may not require proof of the condition or disability or require customers or visitors to explain the nature of their condition or disability. When possible, businesses must provide accommodations to customers and visitors who are unable to wear a face covering (for example, by offering curbside pick-up) and mitigate worker and customer exposure to individuals who are unable to wear a face covering.

If a worker claims to be exempt from face covering requirements, businesses must follow the requirements of applicable laws (including civil rights laws like the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Minnesota Human Rights Act) that relate to verification of a worker’s condition or disability. The business should also provide any exempt worker an accommodation to the extent possible. For example, if the worker will interact with customers, visitors, or other workers, the employer could offer the worker the option of wearing a face shield as an alternative. The employer should also consider taking steps to mitigate the worker’s interaction with other workers and, if the business is customer-facing, with customers as well.

What should a business do when customers or workers refuse to comply with face covering requirements? 

When an employee does not claim a legitimate exemption from face covering requirements (for example, due to a disability) but still refuses to wear a face covering, businesses should take appropriate disciplinary action.

If a customer who does not claim a legitimate exemption refuses to comply with face covering requirements, businesses should assess the situation and determine how best to proceed, using normal procedures for dealing with a difficult customer. Because businesses have an obligation to protect their workers from hazards—including COVID-19 infection—businesses must take steps to mitigate or eliminate the risks posed by a person who refuses to wear a face covering.

Here are some best practices to consider:

·         If a customer (or visitor) enters or attempts to enter without a face covering, communicate face covering requirements to the customer, offer the customer a face covering, and request that they put it on.

·          If a customer continues to refuse to wear a face covering, decline services to the customer, or request that the customer not enter the premises or leave the premises.

·         The business may also offer the customer service alternatives, if available, including curbside pick-up, home delivery, or retrieving merchandise for the customer.

·         Based on its assessment of the situation, the business may also determine that there is a need to engage law enforcement to assist.

Nothing in the Executive Order provides businesses with the right to physically restrain or remove a noncompliant person when it would not otherwise be legal to do so. Employees and management should avoid direct enforcement in situations that would put themselves or others at risk of harm and instead consider engaging law enforcement.

Can a worker refuse to perform job duties if a customer is not wearing a face covering?

If workers, acting in good faith, have a reasonable belief that they have been assigned to work in an unsafe and unhealthy manner, they may refuse to perform the job duties assigned if they have requested that the business correct the hazardous conditions.

It is the responsibility of businesses to provide their workers with a safe and healthy workplace. If a customer refuses to wear a face covering, a business needs to take action to mitigate workers’ exposure to the customer, while making reasonable efforts to obtain the customer’s compliance.

Who provides and pays for the face covering if workers have to wear them?

Businesses are encouraged to provide face coverings for all workers to ensure compliance with the Executive Order. If an employer requires that all workers wear the same uniform face covering, such as one with their business logo on it, they will likely purchase the face covering and provide it to workers. However, the law provides that an employer can deduct from a worker’s wages the cost of a uniform so long as it does not reduce the worker’s pay below the minimum wage for hours worked. The amount of the deduction for a face covering may not exceed the cost of the face covering to the employer. The maximum deduction for all items that are part of a uniform allowed by law is $50. If the employer provides the face covering and deducts the cost of the face covering from the worker’s wages, the employer must reimburse the worker the full amount deducted for the face covering when the worker’s employment ends and the worker returns the face covering to the employer.

If an employer chooses not to provide the face covering, workers are responsible for acquiring their own face covering and wearing it while at work to comply with the Executive Order.

Does a face covering need to meet an employer’s “appropriate attire” requirements?

Appropriate attire requirements are developed and enforced by the business and, in some instances, by law. Employees should speak with their employer and review the employer’s COVID-19 Preparedness Plan as well as any employee handbook or applicable employer policy.

Can a worker be disciplined by an employer if they wear a face covering even if a wearing a face covering is not required?

No, Executive Order 20-54 provides that an employer cannot discriminate or retaliate against a worker for wearing a face covering that the worker has personally acquired as long as the face covering does not violate industry standards or existing employer policies related to health, safety, or decency.

How will authorities determine if my business is compliant with the face covering mandate? 

The Executive Order states that a business is in compliance with the Executive Order if:

1.       The businesses’ workers are wearing face coverings as required by the Executive Order;

2.       The business has updated their COVID-19 Preparedness Plan to address the face covering requirements to align with the requirements of the Executive Order;

3.       The business has posted one or more signs visible to all workers, customers, and visitors instructing them to wear face coverings as required by the Executive Order—meaning when indoors (all persons) and, outdoors (workers only) in situations where social distancing cannot be maintained; and

4.       The business makes reasonable efforts to enforce the face covering requirements with respect to customers and visitors.

The previous four sections discuss the steps that businesses can take to ensure compliance with the Executive Order.

When assessing a situation involving potential violation of the Executive Order, a local law enforcement agency or state regulatory agency should consider the seriousness of any non-compliance. Factors relevant to the seriousness of the non-compliance include but are not limited to: the number of workers and customers not requiring face covering as required by the Executive Order; how long and how often workers and customers are not wearing face coverings; the consequences of workers and customers not wearing face coverings, including indications the business is associated with the transmission of COVID-19; and the actions taken by the business to prevent and respond to their workers’ and customers’ non-compliance with face covering requirements.

The objective of any enforcement action will be to achieve compliance with the Executive Order to protect the health of Minnesotans.

RESOURCES FOR BUSINESSES 

The completed business preparedness plan is not required to be submitted to Department of Labor & Industry  for approval, but needs to be made available upon request.

Non-Critical Sector industrial and office-based businesses that are non-customer facing are allowed to reopen as long as they have created a COVID-19 Preparedness Plan.

Businesses that were included on the Critical Sector list are required to comply with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) COVID-19 guidelines and OSHA standards, but they are not at this time required to have a written COVID-19 Preparedness Plan.

Employer Checklist for Preparedness Plan

A Few Important Reminders about Coronaviruses and Reducing the Risk of Exposure:

• Coronaviruses on surfaces and objects naturally die within hours to days. Warmer temperatures and exposure to sunlight will reduce the time the virus survives on surfaces and objects.
• Normal routine cleaning with soap and water removes germs and dirt from surfaces. It lowers the risk of spreading COVID-19 infection.
• Disinfectants kill germs on surfaces. By killing germs on a surface after cleaning, you can further lower the risk of spreading infection. EPA-approved disinfectantsexternal icon are an important part of reducing the risk of exposure to COVID-19. If disinfectants on this list are in short supply, alternative disinfectants can be used (for example, 1/3 cup of bleach added to 1 gallon of water, or 70% alcohol solutions).  Bleach solutions will be effective for disinfection up to 24 hours.
• Store and use disinfectants in a responsible and appropriate manner according to the label.  Do not mix bleach or other cleaning and disinfection products together–this can cause fumes that may be very dangerous to breathe in. Keep all disinfectants out of the reach of children.
• Do not overuse or stockpile disinfectants or other supplies.  This can result in shortages of appropriate products for others to use in critical situations.
• Always wear gloves appropriate for the chemicals being used when you are cleaning and disinfecting. Additional personal protective equipment (PPE) may be needed based on setting and product. For more information, see CDC’s website on Cleaning and Disinfection for Community Facilities.
• Practice social distancing, wear facial coverings, and follow proper prevention hygiene, such as washing your hands frequently and using alcohol-based (at least 60% alcohol) hand sanitizer when soap and water are not available.

MCDC emergency loan 2020 

CONSIDERATIONS FOR EMPLOYERS & EMPLOYEES

• U.S. Chamber guide for employers – Outlines how to work with and communicate to employees, make a business continuity plan before and after employees become sick.
• Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines for business – Health and workplace details and suggestions for COVID-19 impacts on different types of businesses and employee activity.
• Department of Homeland Security (DHS) travel advisories – Ongoing updates on travel advisories within the United States and abroad.
• Minnesota Council – Society of Human Resource Management (MNSHRM) – Resources for HR professionals (login required).
• U.S. Department of Labor guide to FMLA in public health emergencies
• Information about business interruption insurance – A FAQ developed by the Insurance Federation to provide answers on business interruption coverage.

SMALL BUSINESS RESOURCES

      CORONA VIRUS Emergency Loans

• Small Business Guide & Checklist for Emergency Loans

KEEPING WORKPLACES SAFE AND HEALTHY

• U.S. Chamber guide to healthy habits – Background on COVID-19 and best practices to stay healthy and deal with employee diagnosis.
• Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updates – Ongoing updates on the disease, how it is spread, where is exists and testing.
• Minnesota Department of Health resources – Updates on cases in Minnesota, best practices to prepare and prevent spread in workplaces.
• National Institutes of Health (NIH) COVID-19 health updates – Detailed updates on risk factors, symptoms, treatment.
• Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) guide for workplaces – Specific to federal standards for preventing spread in workplaces.
• Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) COVID-19 resource page (English) – Daily updates on the number and nature of Coronavirus cases in Minnesota and best practices for citizens to remain safe and healthy.
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    F.A.Q. about Executive Order 20-04: Providing for the Temporary Closure of Bars, Restaurants, and Other Places of Public Accommodation

• https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/MNMDH/bulletins/2825423