Last updated March 1, 2021
Business Frequently Asked Questions
What occupancy limits are applicable to my business?
What is an “event or gathering?”
Does the occupancy limit or gathering size limitations include staff and employees?
Do employees need to telework now?
May professional sports teams resume in-person activities?
Are religious institutions required to suspend to suspend in-person gatherings?
I am a manufacturer that wishes to manufacturer goods to assist in confronting this pandemic. What should I do?
Common Questions About Masks
Must my employees and customers continue to wear masks?
Does a disposable face shield suffice in lieu of a mask?
If a customer refuses to wear a mask must they be turned away or be refused service?
How do businesses avoid confrontation with customers who do not wear a mask?
As a manager, how do I handle an employee that refuses to wear a mask? Does the masking requirement mean I can refuse them entry?
Are masks required for operations where it would be unsafe to keep masks in place, or if an employee says they have anxiety and any mouth, nose covering can lead to panic attacks or other medical conditions?
Does someone working in a personal office need a mask at all times?
If social distancing can be maintained, can there be an exemption to the mandatory mask requirement?
Are masks required while driving for work?
Does the masking requirement apply to workers who are outdoors, and who engage in heavy physical activity, such as employee of solid waste companies and landscapers?
Is it acceptable for workers to remove cloth face coverings when high temperatures and humidity may create unsafe conditions for operations?
Must transit operators, bus drivers or others who operate vehicles wear masks?
Who is responsible for ensuring compliance with the masking requirement at a specific workplace?
Does the Commonwealth require a particular type of mask?
Are there recommendations on where employers can purchase masks for employees?
Do banks and financial institutions need to comply with the masking requirement if there are associated security concerns with face coverings?
Does the Business Guidance require transit riders to wear masks? What about riders participating in the Medical Assistance Transportation Program?
The commonwealth’s masking requirement differs from the CDC guidance on masking, which requires masking only when employees cannot maintain social distancing?
Is there any plan to get information about safety requirements to employees so they can ask their employer to take the necessary steps to protect them?
Is there a waiver process or exceptions to the Governor and Secretary of Health’s orders and guidance to promote worker and business safety?
Common Questions About Keeping Workers and Customers Safe
What should I do to keep employees safe?
When an employee has tested positive for COVID-19, what type of cleaning is required?
When an employee has tested positive for COVID 19 how long must a business wait before proceeding to disinfect the workspace?
Often employees notify management of their pending or confirmed COIVD-19 case several days after they have been in the office or business, in such a case does a business still need to do additional cleaning?
Retail stores with multiple checkout lanes are required to limit use to every other register and rotate registers and clean hourly. If a business adheres to the social distancing and best practices contained in the Business Guidance, can it open additional registers?
Do retailers need to designate specific shopping time for high-risk persons?
Employees are required to be sent home immediately if they become sick during the work day if exposed to a person who was a probable or confirmed case, and also requires the cleaning and disinfecting of the surfaces in that employee’s workspace. Must I wait to disinfect the workspace?
Can a life-sustaining business use a third-party vendor or third-party service for cleaning?
If a facility is regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and can’t comply because it cannot open up doors and windows in a clean room environment, what should it do?
Does an entire facility need to be shut down in order to do appropriate cleaning?
Who is responsible for cleaning costs incurred in order to maintain compliance with the cleaning requirements of the Business Guidance and Department of Health Orders?
If a business is open to the public, are they required to provide public restrooms?