Ask the Experts: Protecting Guests + Employees During Vacation Season
By: Michael Dauphinais | Honigman
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Q: With vacation season approaching, how can I protect my employees and my guests from
travel-related COVID-19 infections? A: Winter is finally ending, and COVID-19 fatigued travelers are itching to get out and enjoy what promises to be a warm tourist season. Yet, with COVID-19 still very present in our state, increased travel creates risks for employees who seek to get away from home. Moreover, employees contracting COVID-19 while traveling also create risks for other employees and your guests. Similarly, guests may come from areas with high infection rates. With this all of this in mind, the state of Michigan and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) have issued guidance on how to travel safely, as well as best practices for businesses whose employees engage in travel themselves. Some of this guidance is summarized below. |
Employees traveling to vacation destinations.
The Michigan Occupational Safety & Health Administration (MiOSHA) recently extended its COVID-19 emergency rules through October 14, 2021. MiOSHA has advised that employers should restrict non-essential business travel. For employees who engage in essential business travel, or out-of-state travel for personal reasons, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) advises:
Encouraging employees to follow Michigan and CDC guidance will help protect your workers, as well as the guests who visit your establishment, from COVID-19 infections.
The Michigan Occupational Safety & Health Administration (MiOSHA) recently extended its COVID-19 emergency rules through October 14, 2021. MiOSHA has advised that employers should restrict non-essential business travel. For employees who engage in essential business travel, or out-of-state travel for personal reasons, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) advises:
- It is safest to avoid out-of-state travel at this time.
- If you are eligible, get fully vaccinated for COVID-19.
- Avoid travel until two weeks after getting your second vaccine dose.
- If you must travel before being fully vaccinated, get tested for COVID-19 one to three days before you travel. Keep a copy of your test results in case it is needed by your destination. If you test positive, do not travel.
- Be sure to research your destination’s local COVID-19 travel restrictions and comply with them, as well as CDC guidance.
- When you return, get tested 3-5 days after you get home. Stay home for at least 7 days total if you test negative; if you don’t get tested, self-quarantine for 14 days.
- If you are fully vaccinated, there is no need to be tested after domestic travel.
Encouraging employees to follow Michigan and CDC guidance will help protect your workers, as well as the guests who visit your establishment, from COVID-19 infections.
Protecting employees from high-risk travelers.
Your employees also should be protected from travelers visiting your business. MiOSHA’s extension of the COVID-19 emergency rules requires restaurants and bars to continue requiring facial coverings for both guests and employees, as well as social distancing. Businesses are encouraged to keep most common areas closed, and post signage explaining why. This signage should explain these changes and ask guests not to enter if they are or have recently been sick or exposed to COVID-19—clear signs are especially important if your business sees a number of guests who visit from out-of-state, where local COVID-19 rules may be different or less protective.
Restaurants may wish to continue to focus on takeout business and curbside pick-up as well, especially as capacity restrictions continue to limit the number of guests at any one time. Using a pick-up window or area, and requiring employees and guests to wear facial coverings while using the pick-up area, is an easy way to limit potential exposure.
Above all, be sure to keep apprised of the ever-changing COVID-19 restrictions and requirements. Stay on top of the guidance available from the State of Michigan and the CDC, communicate that guidance to your employees and guests, and listen to their feedback for ways to make their experience better. With everyone working together, we can have a safe, joyous, and profitable vacation season, despite the challenges presented by the coronavirus.
Your employees also should be protected from travelers visiting your business. MiOSHA’s extension of the COVID-19 emergency rules requires restaurants and bars to continue requiring facial coverings for both guests and employees, as well as social distancing. Businesses are encouraged to keep most common areas closed, and post signage explaining why. This signage should explain these changes and ask guests not to enter if they are or have recently been sick or exposed to COVID-19—clear signs are especially important if your business sees a number of guests who visit from out-of-state, where local COVID-19 rules may be different or less protective.
Restaurants may wish to continue to focus on takeout business and curbside pick-up as well, especially as capacity restrictions continue to limit the number of guests at any one time. Using a pick-up window or area, and requiring employees and guests to wear facial coverings while using the pick-up area, is an easy way to limit potential exposure.
Above all, be sure to keep apprised of the ever-changing COVID-19 restrictions and requirements. Stay on top of the guidance available from the State of Michigan and the CDC, communicate that guidance to your employees and guests, and listen to their feedback for ways to make their experience better. With everyone working together, we can have a safe, joyous, and profitable vacation season, despite the challenges presented by the coronavirus.
