Reopening After COVID-19: Three Considerations

In the waning days of the COVID-19 pandemic, hopes are high for a triumphant return to office life as we know it. A pervasive question for employees and employers now remains: what will returning to the workplace after COVID-19 look like?

The simple truth is, a return to work will look different for every organization. At Buildingstars, we have collected top guidance and identified three major considerations to focus on: determining the right time to reopen, understanding the necessary requirements for reopening, and prioritizing safety during the reopening process.

What’s the Right Time to Reopen the Facility?

Businesses must understand the conditions that need to be met before they can reassess their operations and bring employees back. External factors such as governmental rules, which vary by state, may apply before you can move people back into facilities. Planning for this return should take into account all governmental restrictions still in effect in your state – click here for a helpful interactive map from the New York Times.

Internal conditions also may apply to your reopening plan.

Internally, you may consider performing a thorough assessment of company assets. How has your facility been affected by COVID-19? How much time will it take to repair and restock in order to resume operations? What staff need to be on-site, and what staff are you keeping remote?

Once you’ve performed your detailed assessment of your facility and reviewed the legal requirements in your state, you can start to consider the next question:

What’s Needed to Reopen my Office?

Internal factors are also relevant to your timeline when reopening. Asking people to change their routines again in a major way for the second time in a year is a large ask. The way you communicate the return initiative to your employees matters – especially as they are in some ways putting their health and safety in your hands as they come back in. 

You should communicate a detailed health and safety plan to your employees for your reopening, including: 

• How you plan to limit exposure in the office
• How to handle shared spaces such as conference rooms
• What you plan to do when there is a potential exposure in the facility
• Which safety precautions are being taken to ensure employees’ health

How to Put Safety First While Reopening After COVID-19

Buildingstars Commercial Cleaning experts recommend scheduling recurring cleaning services to rid your facility of contaminants and to lower the risk for all employees. The CDC recommends fully cleaning and disinfecting your facility as a scientific defense against the COVID-19 pandemic:

“When no people with confirmed or suspected COVID-19 are known to have been in a space, cleaning once a day is usually enough to sufficiently remove virus that may be on surfaces and help maintain a healthy facility.”

Recurring cleaning services can give you and your employees peace of mind while reopening after COVID-19. If you cancelled or lowered the frequency of cleaning services due to the pandemic, now is the perfect time to reschedule. 

If your facility has remained closed for an extended period, it’s probable that dirt, dust, and other particulates have built up inside. The best way to combat messes caused by being out-of-office is a one-time Deep Cleaning – not only are you taking every precaution to keep your employees safe, but your facility will be spotless for their return. 

Learn more about our Deep Cleaning and Disinfection Process here, or click below to schedule your deep clean!