Coronavirus (COVID-19) Updates & Resources

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Updates & Resources

In conjunction with AGC & ABC of America, the ABA has assembled has assembled general guidance and links to information from our federal agency partners and health organizations. ABA will continue to monitor the situation and update the information on this page accordingly.

What is COVID-19?

Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that are common in people and many different species of animals, including camels, cattle, cats, and bats. Rarely, animal coronaviruses can infect people and then spread between people such as with MERS-CoVSARS-CoV, and now with this new virus (named SARS-CoV-2). The virus that causes COVID-19 is spreading from person-to-person in China and some limited person-to-person transmission has been reported in countries outside China, including the United States. However, respiratory illnesses like seasonal flu, are currently widespread in many US communities.

Symptoms of COVID-19

Reported illnesses have ranged from mild symptoms to severe illness and death for confirmed coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases.

Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure*:

– Fever
– Cough
– Shortness of breath

*This is based on what has been seen previously as the incubation period of MERS-CoV viruses.

Call your healthcare professional if you develop symptoms, and have been in close contact with a person known to have COVID-19 or if you have recently traveled from an area with widespread or onging community spread of COVID-19.

What Should Employers Do?

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is encouraging businesses to begin preparations for the spread of the Coronavirus in the United States. In order to assist you in these preparations, you are encouraged to take the following steps:

Educate your employees

What You Need to Know About the Coronavirus

What To Do When You Are Sick

– Hygiene and health is key – Practicing standard sanitation and hygiene regimens is a top priority.

–  Encourage frequent and thorough hand washing with soap and water Hand Washing Guidance.

– Hand sanitizer, with at least 60% alcohol content, is a secondary option.

– Remind everyone to keep noses and mouths covered when coughing or sneezing Coughing and Sneezing Etiquette.

– Avoid touching in and around the eyes, with unwashed hands.

– Everyone who has not yet had a flu shot should get one as soon as possible

Follow the CDC recommendations for employers: 

–  Employer Guidance: PREPARE NOW.

–  Emphasize staying home when sick, respiratory etiquette, and hand hygiene by all employees.

–  Perform routine environmental cleaning.

–  Update your absenteeism policy and communicate the requirements.

– Update your work from home policy and communicate the requirements.

Planning Considerations

–  Prepare for increased absenteeism

1.Cross train employees to handle other functions

2.Encourage employees to develop contingency plans for child care in the event there are long term closures of schools and day care centers

Prepare for business interruption

– Identify alternative suppliers

– Prioritize certain customers

– Prepare to shut down certain functions

Best Practices for Construction Jobsites

– Personal Responsibilities

– Social Distancing

– Jobsite / Office Practices

– Managing Sick Employees

– Government Resources

– Vendor Resources

Articles

Additional Resources

– AZ DHS: Thanksgiving Guidelines 
– AGC: Physical Distance vs. Social Distance: Engaging Contacts in a “Contactless” Environment 
– League of Cities and Towns: Municipal Face Covering Requirements
– ABC: Guide to Creating a Return to Work Action Plan
– US Treasury: Business Loan Program Temporary Changes; Paycheck Protection Program 
Requirements – Promissory Notes, Authorizations, Affiliation, and Eligibility
– Farnhang & Medcoff4.15.20 Coping with COVID-19 Webinar
– ABC: Protecting Your Company and Remote Workforce from Cyberthreats
– Wells Fargo: www.wellsfargo.com/com/insights/economics/ 
– ABC: HR Toolkit – The Employer’s Guide to COVID-19
– ABC: Construction Job Site Safety Plan
– AGC: How To Protect Your Workers and the Public
– CDC: Interim Guidance for Implementing Safety Practices for Critical Infrastructure Workers Who May Have Had Exposure to a Person with Suspected or Confirmed COVID-19 
– AGC: Proactive Measures to COVID-19
– AGC:  COVID-19 Toolbox Talk #3_04.05.2020
– AGC: COVID-19 Toolbox Talk #2_04.05.2020
– AGC: COVID-19 Toolbox Talk #1_04.05.2020
– CDC+AGC: Jobsite Poster COVID19 Symptoms (Spanish) 8.5×11
– CDC+AGC: Jobsite Poster COVID19 Symptoms (English) 11×17
– CDC+AGC: Jobsite Poster COVID19 Symptoms (English) 8.5×11
– CDC+AGC: Jobsite Poster COVID19 Symptoms (Spanish) 11×17
-IHME: COVID-19 Projections 
-CDC: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and you
-Bridgeworks: Generational Communication
–ABC:  Mapping the Coronavirus Impact on US Construction
– CDC: Covid Fact Sheet 
– Executive Order: Stay-Home Stay-Healthy 
– DOL: Families First Coronavirus Response Act Poster 
– CIASP: Construction Industry Alliance For Suicide Prevention
– US DOL: Employee Paid Leave Rights
– US DOL: Employer Expanded Family and Medical Leave Requirements
– US DOL: Questions and Answers
– CBIZ: www.cbiz.com/insights-resources/covid-19-resource-center
– Lovitt & Touche: A Coronavirus Update for Employers
– SmallGiants: https://aecreconnect.com/
– LinkedIn: A Crisis-era Message to Contractors from Dr. Tom Schleifer
– OSHA: Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19
– ABC: The Impact of COVID-19 on Construction Contract Issues and Obligations -PPT
– AGC: AGC Survey of State DOT Response to COVID-19
– ABC: The Economy in The Time of Coronavirus – PPT
– AGC: AGC of Washington’s Toolbox Talk on COVID-19
– CDC Website English | Spanish
– CDC: Interim Guidance for Businesses and Employers
– CDC: Information for Communities, Schools, and Businesses
– DOL: COVID-19 Resources
– DOL: Guidance for Preparing Workplaces for Coronavirus
– DOL: OSHA Resources for Workers and Employers on COVID-19

– WHO: Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Outbreak
– WHO: Get Your Workplace Ready for COVID-19
– CISA: Risk Management for COVID-19
– EPA: Disinfectants for Use Against COVID-19
– Milwaukee: Cleaning of Tools to Help Prevent Spread of COVID-19
– CDC: Environmental Cleaning and Disinfection Recommendations – Community Facilities
– Fisher Phillips: Comprehensive And Updated FAQs For Employers On The COVID-19 Coronavirus
– SBA: Small Business Guidance & Loan Resources
– Construction Contract: Sample Notice of Delay LetterGuidance on Construction Terms
– ACA: Arizona Commerce Authority COVID-19 Business Resources
– Ronstadt Insurance: -COVID-19 Resource Center
– BeachFleschman: COVID-19 Resource Center
– ARCpoint Labs of Tucson: COVID-19 Antibody Tests – Contact Colleen Edwards at 520-800-9233 to make an appointment.
– Computer Dimensions: 5 Steps To Work From Home Safely
– Computer Dimensions: Computer Dimensions COVID-19 InfoGraphic
– Computer Dimensions: Disaster Planning Checklist 4-8-2020
– Focus HR: HR Strategy Series: Leading Through Tough Times
– Kazal Fire Protection: DOD-GUIDANCE-ON-THE-USE-OF-CLOTH-FACE-COVERINGS
– Kazal Fire Protection: CDC DIY-cloth-face-covering-instructions
– ADOSH: ADOSH Update 2020 by Director Jessie Atencio
– CISC: covid-safety-response-plan (3)
– ADOSH: 2020 COVID Letter to Stakeholders
– Duck Press Media Solutions: HealthShieldinfo-Face and Tabletop Shields
– Lovitt & Touche: Risk Consulting Update – Top Ten Tips to Protect Employees 04-27-2020