Many of our customers are small businesses that are uncertain if they can or should continue working and going into customers’ homes during this COVID-19 pandemic.  Some States have implemented “Stay-at-Home” executive orders.  What are you to do?  Obviously, if you are a business owner, it is up to you to make these decisions and follow executive orders in your State and any CDC recommendations.  However, with our experience, we have implemented a few policies for our own companies:

• If a service tech is feeling sick or has a temp, they must not report to work until they have been well and fever free for at least 24 hours. If they have systems of COVID-19, they must follow guidance of the CDC and local authorities to determine if they should get tested.  If tested, they must wait for a negative test result before they can report back to work.

• If a service tech has a household member that is sick with fever, the service tech should not report to work until the household member is feeling well and fever free for at least 24 hours. If the household member has systems of COVID-19, they must follow guidance of the CDC and local authorities to determine if they should get tested.  If tested, the service tech must wait for a negative test result of the household member before they can report back to work.  If the household member tests positive, the service tech must also get a negative COVID-19 test result and be well, before the service tech may report back to work.

• All service techs are required to ask the customer before entering the house or establishment whether anyone in the customer’s household is feeling sick or unwell. If yes, it doesn’t matter if it is a cold, the flu, or whatever, the service tech is not allowed to enter and do the job.  They must reschedule.

Again, some States have issued “Stay-at-Home” executive orders.  We cannot speak for all States, however, many states have a clause defining “Essential Businesses,” and in many States, cleaning companies are considered an “Essential Business” and may continue to operate.  You will have to find out if this is the case for your State order.

We have implemented the above policies during this time of uncertainty.  Some may seem extreme.  However, we believe extra caution is necessary to protect the health & safety of our customers and employees.  There are multiple policies that can be enacted to help limit exposure for customers and employees.  To be honest, policies can even change based upon location and time.  So, be aware, educate yourself on the situation, and be prepared to change policies on a moments notice.

Here are a couple links to help you in your policy making decisions:

COVID-19 Awareness:  https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/index.html

COVID-19 Risk Assessment:  https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/php/risk-assessment.html