Page 4 THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRiDAy, MAy 15, 2020 MASKS | FROM PAGE 2 erett. In the meantime, any face covering works,” said DeMaria. “A scarf, bandana, or even a makeshift covering can and will reduce the spread of the virus.” The city government is working tirelessly to ensure that Everett’s most vulnerable population, senior citizens, receive masks. Through Everett’s home outreach program, volunteers are calling residents to ensure they are equipped with what they need to remain safe. Through this program, State Representative Joseph McGonagle has made hundreds of calls while following up with everything from mask delivery to prescription delivery. “During this time, it is vital that we check on our residents. The health, safety, and welfare of our community is imperative,” said McGonagle. “By providing a mask or assisting a resident who is homebound get a prescription, we will overcome this together.” For any and all issues, residents can visit www. CityofEverett.com or call 311 within city limits. Governor announces four-phase plan to reopen state's economy T he Baker-Polito Administration recently announced a four-phase approach to reopening the Massachusetts economy amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, and it published Mandatory Workplace Safety Standards that will apply across all sectors and industries once reopening begins. The goal of the phased reopening, which is based on public health guidance, is to methodically allow certain businesses, services and activities to resume, while protecting public health and limiting a resurgence of new COVID-19 cases. Phase 1 will be “Start’: Limited industries resume operations with severe restrictions. Phase 2 will be “Cautious”: Additional industries resume operations with restrictions and capacity limits. Phase 3 will be “Vigilant”: Additional industries resume operations with guidance. Phase 4 will be the “New Normal”: Development of vaccine and/or therapy enables resumption of new normal. Businesses and activities that provided “COVID-19 Essential Services,” per Governor Charlie Baker’s March 23 order, will continue to operate. Certain businesses and activities with a lower risk of COVID-19 transmission will open in earlier phases. Decisions and timing will be influenced by public health metrics for when the first phase of reopening begins, as well as when it is safe to move into concurrent phases. Additionally, the Department of Public Health (DPH) and the COVID-19 Command Center, in consultation with the Reopening Advisory Board and based on feedback from industry, labor and community coalitions, has developed Mandatory Workplace Safety Standards to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission as employees and customers begin to return to workplaces during the first phase of reopening. These Mandatory Workplace Safety Standards are applicable to all sectors and industries that will be open in Phase 1 and create new workplace requirements for social distancing, hygiene, staffing and operations and cleaning. These standards are being released to give workplaces time to plan and prepare for reopening. Social distancing • All persons, including employees, customers and vendors, should remain at least six feet apart to the greatest extent possible, both inside and outside workplaces • Establish protocols to ensure that employees can practice adequate social distancing • Provide signage for safe social distancing • Require face coverings or masks for all employees Hygiene • Provide handwashing capabilities throughout the workplace • Ensure frequent handwashing by employees and adequate supplies to do so • Provide regular sanitization of high-touch areas, such as workstations, equipment, screens, doorknobs and restrooms, throughout work site • Provide training for employees regarding the social distancing and hygiene protocols • Employees who are displaying COVID19-like symptoms do not report to work • Establish a plan for employees getting ill from COVID-19 at work, and a return-to-work plan Cleaning and disinfecting • Establish and maintain cleaning protocols specific to the business • When an active employee is diagnosed with COVID-19, cleaning and disinfecting must be performed • Disinfection of all common surfaces must take place at intervals appropriate to said workplace In addition to these Mandatory Standards which apply to all workplaces, the Reopening Advisory Board is developing Sector Specific Safety Protocols and Best Practices that will detail how particular industries should operate after reopening. The Reopening Advisory Board is scheduled to provide its full report to the governor on Monday, May 18.
5 Publizr Home