Center for Public Health Workforce Development 

COVID-19 Resources for Businesses and Workplaces

General Resources

General COVID-19 Safety 

New Jersey Workplace Safety Standards – COVID-19 precautions standards that employers in NJ must comply with and links to additional sector specific standards

Protecting Workers: Guidance on Mitigating and Preventing the Spread of COVID-19 in the Workplace (OSHA) - This guidance is intended to inform employers and workers in most workplace settings outside of healthcare to help them identify risks of being exposed to and/or contracting COVID-19 at work and to help them determine appropriate control measures to implement

Control and Prevention of COVID-19 for Workers (OSHA) – OSHA’s page on steps to be taken by employers and employees, including information on higher risk and medium-low risk workers

Hazard Recognition (OSHA) – Information on how to understand and classify worker’s level of risk for exposure to COVID-19 

Small Business Development Center COVID Resources (SBDC) – Small business resources and information on assistance available to those impacted by the pandemic 

New Jersey Small Business Development Centers Training and Events – This page has trainings and events available to small and medium sized businesses in NJ including Health and Safety and COVID-19 Trainings.

COVID-19 Guidance by Industry (OSHA) – Specific guidance in preventing and mitigating the spread of COVID-19 in the workplace for several industry types

Employer Information for Office Buildings (CDC) – This page outlines what steps you can take to help protect yourself, your staff, and the public by slowing the spread of COVID-19.

CDC’s Coronavirus Disease 2019 Page (CDC) – This is the CDC’s main page on Coronavirus Disease 2019, or COVID-19. Here you can find their published guidance to help you make decisions for the health and safety of yourself, your staff, and your business. 

FAQs for Workplaces and Businesses (CDC) – FAQs built on CDC guidance for businesses and workplaces

Get Back to Work Safely – This site features webinars, posters, and industry specific guidance 

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Physical Distancing

Information Social Distancing (CDC) – This page defines social distancing and provides tips for how to practice social distancing effectively

Social Distancing at Work (OSHA) – Recommendations for practicing physical distancing at work

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Testing and COVID Exposures

3 Key Steps to Take While Waiting for your COVID-19 Test Result (CDC) – Steps to take to help protect the health of yourself and others while you are waiting for a COVID-19 test result

Expanding Testing and Contract Tracing in New Jersey (NJ) – Information on how NJ is working to increase testing and track contacts through contact tracing. This page also outlines steps you can take to help Public Health Officials in their efforts against the virus.

COVID-19 Test Site Finder (NJ) – Find a location to get tested for COVID-19

COVID-19 Testing Basics (FDA) – this page outlines the different types of COVID-19 tests and the general process for most COVID-19 diagnostic and antibody tests 

COVID-19 Testing Overview (CDC) – This page covers the types of testing, considerations and actions to take if you test positive for COVID-19 infection

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Ventilation

Ventilation (CDC) (CDC) – This page from the CDC provides guidance on ventilation recommendations, provides no-cost and low-cost strategies to implement, and answers FAQs on ventilation and airborne transmission

COVID-19 Guidance to Ventilation in the Workplace (OSHA) – This guidance from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration provides information on what you can do, including ventilation modifications, to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the workplace.

Ventilation and Coronavirus (EPA) – This page explains ventilation principles and how they can be applied to COVID-19 protection measures.

Air Cleaners, HVAC Filters, and Coronavirus (EPA) – This page offers guidance on optimizing indoor ventilation systems to help reduce the risk of viral exposure indoors.

Coronavirus Response Resources (ASHRAE) – resources for information on how optimizing ventilation systems, protection for those working on HVAC systems, technical resources

-    Also see: One-page Guidance for Reopening Buildings

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Vaccine and Distribution Information

COVID-19 Vaccines (FDA) – This page from the FDA includes info on vaccines authorized for emergency use, news and updates, vaccine basics, and media information

Vaccines (CDC) – Features information on how COVID-19 vaccines work, benefits of vaccination, which vaccines are approved, which are in clinical trials, safety processes in place for vaccines, what to expect when getting vaccinated, and FAQs

NJ COVID-19 Vaccination Webpage (NJ Department of Health) – This page has information on the vaccine, FAQs, the NJ COVID-19 Vaccination Plan, and an executive summary of the plan

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PPE and Face Coverings

Face coverings and Masks (CDC) – Find information on how to select, wear, make, and care for masks as well as information on the effectiveness and who should be wearing a mask

Face coverings and Requirements (NJ) – Information on where and when face coverings are required to be worn and why face coverings are important

NJ PPE Access Program (NJ) - The New Jersey Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Access Program is an innovative public-private partnership that helps businesses and non-profits protect the health and safety of their employees and customers.​ Through the program, all NJ-based businesses and non-profits are eligible for 10% discounts on PPE purchases made through approved online retailer

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Cleaning, Sanitizing and Disinfection

List N: COVID-19 Disinfectants (EPA) – This is a listing of the disinfectants that are effective against the virus that causes COVID-19

Detailed Disinfection Guidance (CDC) – Highlights the importance of cleaning and disinfection, the difference between cleaning and disinfecting and how to perform both properly

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Reopening and Safe Operations Checklists

NIEHS: Workplace Checklist for Prevention of Exposure to SARS-CoV-2 Virus in Non-Healthcare Industries (NIEHS) 

NSC: NSC COVID-19 Organizational Vulnerability Assessment Tool (National Safety Council) 

CDC: Restart Readiness Checklist (CDC)

Workplace Checklist for Prevention of Exposure to SARS-CoV-2 Virus in Non-Healthcare Industries (Texas Restaurant Association)

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Industry Specific Guidance

Childcare and Early Childhood Education

CDC: Guidance for Schools and Childcare Programs: Before and During an Outbreak (CDC) – Information on how to operate with safety measures in place, prepare, and respond to outbreaks or exposures

CDC: Supplemental Guidance for Child Care Programs that Remain Open (CDC) – Additional information on best practices and safety measures for those operating during the pandemic 

COVID-19 Resources for Child Care Providers (Early Childhood Training and Technical Assistance Program) – resources for child care providers, and covers topics such as health and safety; business practices; social and emotional support; and trauma

Helping Children Cope (CDC) – Information on how to identify behavioral changes and how to support impacted children

COVID-19 Resources and Information (Childcare.gov) – A listing of additional resources for families and providers

COVID-19 Childcare (NJ Dept of Human Services) – A listing of assistance programs for both families and for childcare centers impacted by the pandemic 

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Retail Businesses 

Guidance for Cashiers in Retail Establishments (WNYCOSH) – Tips on protecting essential workers in cashier positions

Retail Workers and Employers in Critical and High Customer-Volume Environments (OSHA) – Guidance  for worker protection in essential workplaces that have frequent contact with members of the public

OSHA: COVID guidance for Retail Workers – Best  practices for retail workplaces operating during the COVID-19 pandemic 

Open for Business - A Blueprint for Shopping Safe – Tips on how to shop safely during the pandemic

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Restaurants and Food Services

COVID-19 Guidance for Restaurants Resuming Dine-In Service (OSHA) – Health and safety practices to implement for decreasing risk of exposure during indoor dining

FDA: Best Practices for Retail Food Stores, Restaurants and Food Pick-Up/Delivery Services During the COVID-19 Pandemic (FDA) – Information on managing employee health, hygiene, operations and managing pick up and delivery services 

CDC: What Grocery and Food Services Workers Need to Know About COVID-19 (CDC) – Information for food workers to protect themselves and others

FDA: Food Safety and the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) (FDA) – Resources and FAQs about how COVID-19 impacts the food supply chain and food safety

-    Also see CDC: Food and Coronavirus Disease 2019 for additional information 

CDC: Considerations for Restaurants and Bars (CDC) – Guidelines  on which activities are high risk and how to implement safety practices to better protect workers and customers

Reopening for Bars and Restaurants and Precaution Policies (NJ) – Up to date information on current opening status of bars and restaurants in NJ and required precautions that must be followed

Carbon Monoxide Exposure from Heaters in Outdoor Dining (Work Safe BC) – Safety information for restaurants using heathers in outdoor dining spaces (Note that the regulatory information on this page is specific to Canadian Occupational Safety Law – please reference applicable federal and local agencies for regulatory information in your area)

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Meetings and Events

Considerations for Events and Gatherings (CDC) – Information on determining risk level of meetings and events and what practices can help mitigate exposure risk 

FAQs for Event Planners (CDC) – Information on how to handle outbreaks and how you can implement safety practices for your event or gathering

Safe Gathering and Limits on Gathering (NJ) – Information on current restrictions on indoor and outdoor gatherings as well as what you can do to reduce risk 

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Sports, Gyms and Recreation

Considerations for Youth Sports (CDC) – This page outlines how to assess risk of different youth sports activities and suggested precautions to take to mitigate COVID-19 transmission

Gym & Fitness Center Employers – Information on how the virus spread in gym facilities as well as how you can protect your staff and member to slow spread

Organized Sports in NJ FAQ (NJ) – up to date information on regulations and restrictions on organized sports in New Jersey

Gyms in NJ FAQ (NJ) – up to date information on regulations and restrictions on gyms in New Jersey

Youth Sports and COVID-19: Understanding the Risk (Healthychildren.org) – Information on risk and which activities are higher risk to help families make informed decisions about participating in sports

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Schools 

Operating Schools during COVID-19 (CDC) – Regularly updated guidance on how to safely operate schools during COVID-19 pandemic 

COVID-19 Resources for Schools, Students and Families (Department of Education) – a listing of resources available to schools, families, and students to help support modified and safe operations during the COVID-19 Pandemic

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Other

COVID-19 Resources for the Physical Therapy Profession (ATPA) – Articles and resources to help physical therapy offices operate safely and navigate during the pandemic  

COVID-19 Control and Prevention for in home repair services – Information to help keep workers who perform in home services safe

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If you are a New Jersey business or workplace and have questions about COVID-19 or workplace safety, please contact Marie Dessanti, Program Coordinator at the Rutgers Center for Public Health Workforce Development at mdessanti@sph.rutgers.edu

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 This project is partially supported by the New Jersey Small Business Development Center.

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