As Minnesota businesses get ready to reopen, state issues instructions for mandatory preparedness plans

Minneapolis — The Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry has published a template, instructions and checklist guidelines for a COVID-19 preparedness plan – a requirement for nonessential businesses that intend to reopen during the pandemic.

Under an emergency Executive Order signed by Gov. Tim Walz (D) on April 23, noncustomer-facing industrial and office-based businesses can reopen as long as they have a preparedness plan in place. A completed plan is not required to be submitted to DLI for approval, but it must be made available upon request.

Plans must include and describe how employers will implement:

• Infection prevention measures
• Prompt identification and isolation of sick individuals
• Engineering and administrative controls for physical distancing
• Customer controls and protections for drop-off, pickup and delivery
• Housekeeping measures, including cleaning, disinfecting and decontamination
• Communication and training for managers and employees necessary to implement the plan
• Provision of management and supervision necessary to ensure effective ongoing plan implementation

Establishments that are on the state’s “critical sectors” list – announced in a previous emergency Executive Order signed by Walz on March 25 – and were already open before April 27 are not required to have a plan.