After months of sheltering in place, workers, customers and others have questions about safely venturing back to offices and businesses as they continue to reopen. Take a look at potential changes and guidelines for reducing virus risk in a typical city block.
The Office: Entry
1. Reception desk
Plastic partition at reception or no reception
2. Arrival
Staggered arrival times to allow for temperature checks at building entrances
3. Elevators
Fewer people allowed in elevators at the same time
1. Reception desk
Plastic partition at reception or no reception
2. Arrival
Staggered arrival times to allow for temperature checks at building entrances
3. Elevators
Fewer people allowed in elevators at the same time
The Office: Workspaces
1. Desks
Employees’ desks should not face each other, or they should be separated by partitions
2. Hallways
One-way traffic in hallways
3. Gathering spaces
Remove communal gathering spaces
1. Desks
Employees’ desks should not face each other, or they should be separated by partitions
2. Hallways
One-way traffic in hallways
3. Gathering spaces
Remove communal gathering spaces
The Office: Shared spaces
1. Cleaning
Wipe down certain areas and items hourly; some daily
2. Air dryers
Tape off or disconnect. Provide paper towels
3. Signage
Signs deter use of common areas, ensure social distancing
1. Cleaning
Wipe down certain areas and items hourly; some daily
2. Air dryers
Tape off or disconnect. Provide paper towels
3. Signage
Signs deter use of common areas, ensure social distancing
Schools and campuses
1. Desks
‘Checkerboard’ seating pattern
2. Cleaning
Students disinfect desks after class
3. Instruction
Classrooms used for hands-on projects, lectures stay virtual
4. Classrooms
Some students come to class, some stay remote; groups switch
1. Desks
‘Checkerboard’ seating pattern
2. Cleaning
Students disinfect desks after class
3. Instruction
Classrooms used for hands-on projects, lectures stay virtual
4. Classrooms
Some students come to class, some stay remote; groups switch
Places of Worship
1. Rituals
Sacraments, such as ritual washing, might change or be suspended. Digital giving urged in place of collection plates
2. Group activities
After-service coffee hours might be canceled; individual singers instead of choirs
3. Services
Virtual or live-streamed services; in-person services might have multiple time slots and fewer worshippers
1. Rituals
Sacraments, such as ritual washing, might change or be suspended. Digital giving urged in place of collection plates
2. Group activities
After-service coffee hours might be canceled; individual singers instead of choirs
3. Services
Virtual or live-streamed services; in-person services might have multiple time slots and fewer worshippers
Retail
1. Changing rooms
Keep closed, or isolate items for a period after try-ons
2. Checkout
Self-checkout; cashiers work behind plexiglass shields
3. Returns
Isolate returned items from 24 hours to 3 days
4. Curbside pickup
E-commerce and contactless pick-up outside the store encouraged
1. Changing rooms
Keep closed, or isolate items for a period after try-ons
2. Checkout
Self-checkout; cashiers work behind plexiglass shields
3. Returns
Isolate returned items from 24 hours to 3 days
4. Curbside pickup
E-commerce and contactless pick-up outside the store encouraged
Restaurants
1. Takeout and delivery
Establish curbside pickup zones, and social distancing for those awaiting orders
2. Dining room
No walk-in service and limited party sizes. Tables placed 6 feet apart
3. Self service
Utensils and condiments come prepackaged, available by request
4. Ordering and payment
Partitions and plexiglass barriers at registers, automated ordering systems and contactless payment
1. Takeout and delivery
Establish curbside pickup zones, and social distancing for those awaiting orders
2. Dining room
No walk-in service and limited party sizes. Tables placed 6 feet apart
3. Self service
Utensils and condiments come prepackaged, available by request
4. Ordering and payment
Partitions and plexiglass barriers at registers, automated ordering systems and contactless payment
Salons
1. Appointments
Clients remain in cars until notified their spot is open
2. In the stylist’s chair
Face shields to be worn or plastic partitions to be used during service
3. Seating
Nonporous chair covering or disposable covers changed between clients
4. Laundry
Place smocks and towels in plastic bags after use and treat as potentially contaminated until laundered
1. Appointments
Clients remain in cars until notified their spot is open
2. In the stylist’s chair
Face shields to be worn or plastic partitions to be used during service
3. Seating
Nonporous chair covering or disposable covers changed between clients
4. Laundry
Place smocks and towels in plastic bags after use and treat as potentially contaminated until laundered
Gyms
1. Equipment
Cardio machines and weights placed at a distance
2. Classes and personal training
No group classes or limited group size. No-touch personal training.
3. Check-ins
Blocks of gym time booked in advance; limited visits per week and contactless check-in.
4. Before and after workouts
Limited access to locker rooms, saunas and other communal rooms
1. Equipment
Cardio machines and weights placed at a distance
2. Classes and personal training
No group classes or limited group size. No-touch personal training.
3. Check-ins
Blocks of gym time booked in advance; limited visits per week and contactless check-in.
4. Before and after workouts
Limited access to locker rooms, saunas and other communal rooms
Stadiums
1. Seating
Attendees seated 6 feet apart. Suites limited to nuclear families/same household. Limits to what you can bring (e.g. ban on sports paraphernalia like pom poms/inflatables).
2. Tailgating
Cars parked farther apart. Group sizes limited. Throwing balls between groups isn’t allowed.
3. Ticketing
Digitized will-call booths; ticket pickup lines with spacing between attendees.
1. Seating
Attendees seated 6 feet apart. Suites limited to nuclear families/same household. Limits to what you can bring (e.g. ban on sports paraphernalia like pom poms/inflatables).
2. Tailgating
Cars parked farther apart. Group sizes limited. Throwing balls between groups isn’t allowed.
3. Ticketing
Digitized will-call booths; ticket pickup lines with spacing between attendees.