Reopening Business After COVID-19: What to Prepare For

After more than a year since COVID-19 began, there seems to be a clear path forward for business owners looking to get back to more normalcy. Learn how to reopen your business, whether you’re considering opening up an office or starting to offer services you’ve put on hold.

We’ve been through shelter in place orders, mask mandates, multiple variants and a lot of back and forth since the pandemic began. Dr. Anthony Fauci has said, reopening the country won’t be like flipping on a light switch or a one-size-fits-all approach. The same goes for your business. Though the pandemic isn’t over yet, some business owners may feel it’s a good time to reevaluate how they’ve been operating business for the past few months.

As of late 2021, the Delta Variant has started to slow its pace in the U.S., letting everyone take another (yet hesitant) sigh of relief. If you’re like most independent business owners, you may have had summer reopening plans that had to get put on hold again. Now that we’re seeing another downturn, it’s time to reevaluate your business plan for the rest of the year. 

Consider how you reopened last year and the current state of your local community to decide how to move forward. Beyond case rates, reopening your business is also about you and your clients’ comfort level.

Should I Reopen in a Phased Approach?

Remember when we all eagerly checked our state news to find out which phase of reopening we were in? Though that was over a year ago, the phased approach was a great way to start boosting business again without vaccines to rely on. 

Now that we have vaccines, we don’t need to exercise the same level of caution, but a phased reopening plan could still be the best approach for your business. Consider the following phases– modified to suit the current state of COVID. Keep in mind that these phases are no longer required through state mandates, but they can help offer guidelines for independent business owners.

Phase 1

In the past, this phase required specific state/regional gating criteria, including, a downward trajectory of covid-like symptoms and flu-like symptoms within a 14-day period; a downward trend of documented cases or positive tests within a 14-day period; and the ability for hospitals to treat all patients without crisis care and conduct adequate testing among healthcare workers. 

Today, Phase 1 can still apply to your state and/or local case rates. Use a COVID-19 tracker to see what rates look like where you live or conduct your business. Are both your case rates and hospitalization rates falling? If they’ve continued a downward trend for at least two weeks, you can move forward with new changes.

What This May Mean for Your Business

While phase 1 of reopening business during COVID-19 will look different for everyone these days, it all depends on how you’d like to handle mask and/or vaccine mandates for your business.. Of course, you’ll want to follow any guidelines and regulations issued by your state and local authorities on what businesses are allowed to do, how they can operate and when face coverings are required. 

At this phase, you may be able to reopen your office and pursue in-person work events pending the following CDC recommendations:

• Continue encouraging employees to get vaccinated
• Make sure your employees are informed about any potential vaccine side effects
• Help identify options for COVID testing so your employees can get tested if they feel sick (whether they’re vaccinated or not)
• Update your sick leave policy if you haven’t yet to accommodate more potential sick days for your employees

If you’re being cautious, at this phase you may want to still avoid large events, unmasked contact around others and business travel. You may also want to continue using virtual meetings as much as possible and avoiding unnecessary business travel. In the event cases begin climbing again, stay prepared by continuing to offer digital products or services you can provide completely virtually.

Phase 2

If your local area hasn’t shown signs of another rebound for the past two weeks, you may be able to move forward with more changes. Always be sure to check with your state’s governor’s office for updates or changes that may apply to you and your business as well.

What This May Mean for Your Business

In this past, phase 2 reopenings emphasized physical distancing, but the size of acceptable social events increased to 50 people. In our current environment, this may be an appropriate time to forego strict mask mandates in your office, though if you do you should still rely on vaccination or testing requirements for your employees.

As always, you’ll want to follow guidelines and regulations issued by your state and local authorities on what businesses are allowed to do, how they can operate and when face coverings are required.

Additionally, you may want to:

• Continue using video conferencing for client meetings (meeting in-person while maintaining appropriate physical distance may be awkward)
• Plan larger client events (if applicable to your business), if you can rely on ventilation or vaccination requirements

Phase 3

Before this phase can be implemented, states and regions must show no evidence of a rebound.After another two weeks of continued downward trends with cases and hospitalizations, you may be ready to move forward again with business changes.

As always, check with your state’s governor’s office for updates. Though this is the final phase for “reopening,” keep in mind that COVID-19 and its effects continue to evolve throughout the world. As you operate your business, you’ll need to continue to stay on top of cases and safe practices such as masking and social distancing.

What This May Mean For Your Business

For phase 3, you may begin more frequent business travel and in-person operations. This might include more client meetings, workshops or small conferences. Inside your office, continue to help your employees get tested if they start to experience any symptoms.  Follow guidelines and regulations issued by your state and local authorities on what businesses are allowed to do and how they can operate.

Additionally, you may:

• Resume meeting with clients in person
• Resume networking at in-person events
• Proactively check in with current clients and reassure them that you are ready for their upcoming event
• Let your audience know if your service offerings are changing or if you are reopening business. Share what they can expect, which services you’re offering, and how they can book with you
• Provide in-person services at any event size without physical distancing, as long as you feel comfortable with the ventilation and vaccine status of those attending

How to Communicate With Your Clients

As everything continues to change, it’s important to stay communicative with your clients. Now that it’s easier to pursue normal business operations, you may just need to communicate your current COVID plan and guidance for high-risk clients. Some clients may also still want to cancel or reschedule events depending on the situation where they live, which means you’ll need to make sure your cancellation policy is up to date. 

Grab some of the email copy below to save on hand for these specific situations:

For Business Owners Who Can’t or Don’t Want to Start Reopening

If your local case rates are still too high for your comfort or you need to keep your risk low, you can still use these options for continuing to generate income and offer services to your clients:

• Continue to provide low or no-contact services–check out How to Make Money During Quarantine for 20 ideas to add revenue now.
• Offer gift cards for small business. Clients buy digital credits today and redeem them in the future, so you get cash now to support you until things get back to normal.

FAQs

We know many questions will arise around reopening business during COVID-19 and that many feelings are involved. View our FAQs below to get answers to your most common questions. Keep in mind that COVID-19 remains a changing situation, and our answers may not apply to every region or business type.

• What happens if I get sick and can’t perform my service?
  • Take a look at your contract’s “failure of company to perform services” clause to better understand your contractual obligations. You’ll want to try and find a backfill ASAP, while working with your client to ensure they agree to your alternate. If an agreement can’t be reached, you should issue a refund or credit based on the percentage of the services you’ve rendered thus far. For more details on this clause, go here.
• What happens if someone is sick at a wedding or event I’m supposed to work at?
  • Take a look at your online contracts and check the “safe working environment” clause to better understand your contractual obligations and rights. You can reserve the right to discontinue service in the event some unsafe conditions arose.
• What happens if someone works with me/for me and then gets sick? What’s my liability?
  • As the specifics of each business vary, it’s best to consult with an attorney about your specific situation.
  • The CDC recommends offering viral testing information for your employees so they can easily find out if they have COVID-19 or not. 
  • If an employee tests positive for COVID-19, you can require them to stay home and isolate until they’ve stayed home 10 days after initial symptoms and until they receive a negative COVID test.

• What if clients are still canceling events out of fear?
  • We believe you should rely on your cancellation/rescheduling policy at this point.
• Can I require vaccinations?
  • Yes, vaccine mandates are federally legal as long as you have opt-out accommodations for those with disabilities or religious beliefs that prevent them from getting the vaccine. State laws may vary.
• What are the current federal guidelines for COVID-19?
  • Currently, guidelines and mandates for COVID-19 vary from state to state. View your state’s specific guidelines to understand more about travel, mass gatherings, school closures, mask mandates and vaccine requirements.
• Do I need to require masks?
  • State guidance on masks varies, with some states currently requiring masks in most public places and others not requiring masks. The CDC recommends all un-vaccinated people to continue masking at all times in indoor public places. For vaccinated people, they’re currently recommending to wear masks indoors in public places if you’re in an area with high transmission rates.

Continued Best Practices During COVID-19

Though case rates may be falling in most areas, it’s still important to stay aware of what’s happening in your community and elsewhere. As an independent business owner, you can become a helpful resource for your clients by keeping them informed as you stay up to date with the latest news and guidelines. 

Continue to follow safe practices such as masking and avoiding close indoor contact with others if you’re not aware of their vaccination status.

More Resources

• Business Continuity Plan for Small Business – How to Prepare Your Business for Coronavirus
• What to Say When: Swipe Copy for Responding to Coronavirus Scenarios
• How to Manage Your Mental Health in the Face of Coronavirus Uncertainty
• Force Majeure Clause Sample [Free Template]
• Small Business Relief Resources for Coronavirus
• How to Initiate Postponements and Cancellations Regarding Coronavirus (& What to Do With Your Client Contracts)
• How to Prevent Event Cancellations [Plus, Free Email Templates]
• Coronavirus and Marketing: How to Update Your Marketing Strategy &  Messaging
• How to Avoid Disputes: Proactive & Quick Communication Is the Key
• [Video] An Update From The Legal Paige on Force Majeure & What It Means for Your Business
• How to Make Money During Quarantine: 19 Ideas to Add Revenue Now

Disclaimer: The advice featured in this post was provided for sharing of general information and knowledge. For specific legal, tax, mental and general health, or professional advice, please consult an authorized professional.