Medical & Educational Facilities

GUIDANCE ON PREPARING WORKPLACES FOR COVID-19


Medical Facilities

Health and medical facilities, such as hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, rehabilitation centers, and other health-related settings, must take extra care in treating and preventing the spread of COIVD-19. We have reviewed, vetted, and organized governmental policies, recommendations, and best practices, for broad use in public spaces and as well as workspace-specific information.

Facility-Specific Guidelines

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Worksite preparation and safety:

      • Provide workers access to PPE
      • Create system for screening employees
      • Train employees on new health and safety protocols
      • Disinfect frequently touched equipment and surfaces
      • Post signage for directional flow and spacing
      • Follow general social distancing guidelines
      • Patients/visitors
          • Offer virtual/telehealth options, when possible
          • Develop screening and testing protocol for patients
              • Screen over the phone and again in person
          • Develop protocol for allowing and screening visitors
          • Post educational signage for patients/visitors
          • Create physical barriers for separation, if necessary
          • Develop system to prevent congregating in waiting areas
          • Remove extra furniture to maintain social distancing
          • Make sanitizers available to patients/visitors

      For detailed guidelines, review the Lt. Gov.’s Texans Back to Work Task Force report.

DRC Member Expertise & Examples

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Facility-Specific Resources

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GENERAL FUTURE-OF-WORK RESOURCES

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Educational Facilities

Early childhood, elementary, secondary, and higher education institutions are developing plans for a return to in-person learning. We have reviewed, vetted, and organized governmental policies, recommendations from the Texas Education Agency (TEA) and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB), and best practices, for broad use in school settings.

Facility-Specific Guidelines

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PUBLIC PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SYSTEMS

Reopening

Summary of TEA Recommendations

Review the TEA’s COVID-19 resources page  for detailed information for schools, parents, and students.  

      • On-campus learning: Districts may establish a phased-in return to on-campus instruction for up to the first three weeks of the school year
      • Remote instruction: Parents have the option to select remote instruction for a full grading period
      • Parental and Public Notices: School systems must post their plan one week prior to the start of on-campus activities and instruction
          • Train employees and students on new health and safety protocols
          • Post educational signage on campus
          • Communicate regularly with parents and students
      • Health and Safety Procedures:
          • Screen students, teachers, staff, and visitors before being allowed on campus
          • Keep individuals confirmed or suspected to have COVID-19 at home
          • Separate students who show COVID-19 symptoms until they can be picked up; notify local health department if case confirmed
          • Require masks while in school buildings, with certain exceptions made, as noted in Governor Abbott’s executive order
          • Provide access to hand sanitizers and supervise handwashing
          • Disinfect worksites, classrooms, common spaces, and shared objects areas to comply with CDC requirements and county health department guidelines
          • Increase ventilation and make HVAC adjustments
          • Follow general social distancing guidelines
          • Schools should consider:
              • Entry and exit plans to limit density; staggered pick-up and drop-off times, and recess schedules
              • Dividers between cafeteria tables or having students eat lunch at their desks
              • Limiting school assemblies and large gatherings
              • Reduce in-person staff meetings
              • Pre-packaged meals and snacks for students who do not bring lunch
      • Transportation: Thoroughly clean and disinfect after each bus trip; increase air flow; encourage use of sanitizers upon boarding
      • Educational Extracurricular Activities: The Texas University Interscholastic League (UIL) released a Modified UIL Activities Calendar and COVID-19 Guidelines for the 2020-21 School Year for PK-12 educational, academic, athletic and music activities.  Consult their 2020-21 COVID-19 Risk Mitigation Guidelines.

TEA Resources

 

HIGHER EDUCATION

Reopening

Housing

      • Enhance cleaning procedures in dorms and other housing to comply with CDC requirements and county health department guidelines

Student Life

Resources

DRC Member Expertise & Examples

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Facility-Specific Resources

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GENERAL FUTURE-OF-WORK RESOURCES

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These recommendations do not supersede current and future government policies or executive orders.

Businesses are welcome to use these guidelines as general best practices. However, each business assumes responsibility and liability for its own workplace policies and procedures.