Holcomb wants companies to prepare now for return to work

Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb wants business leaders to be preparing now for what returning to work looks like so companies can hit the ground running when he eases social distancing restrictions.

During Tuesday’s media briefing, Holcomb said he wasn’t ready to suggest a date for when workers at retailers, restaurants or office workers could return. But he said everyone should “be prepared” for that day.

He listed several protocols and adjustments employers should be considering right now, including keeping  the workplace is clean, physically distancing employees, providing hand sanitizer, requiring gloves and face masks to be worn, limiting gatherings in break rooms and cafeterias, and recording temperatures of employees.

“Some employers are talking about doing this on a very regular basis,” Holcomb said about checking temperatures of employees.

He said some workplaces may need to be redesigned to accommodate the changes or have new barriers installed to separate people.

“Let’s not squander this opportunity to make those changes right now,” Holcomb said.

Holcomb said businesses will also need policies in place for if and when an employee tests positive for COVID-19.

His administration has requested that industry groups and trade associations submit suggestions for adjustments that can be made to get people back to work safely and keep them safe once they are there. The deadline to provide input is Wednesday, and Holcomb said his administration will use that information to form a policy for loosening the stay-at-home directive.

On Monday, Holcomb issued a new executive order extending the stay-at-home measure through May 1.

Holcomb has said he’s looking at data—including the number of cases, number of deaths, available hospital capacity and availability of personal protective equipment—to determine when businesses can start to re-open.

“I understand folks are antsy to get back to work,” Holcomb said.