If you own a business or even work in one, your work-life has definitely been affected by COVID-19. Regulations require white-collar office workers to wear personal protection equipment. It has affected things like office parties and events and it may have severely limited business trips.
The state of New Jersey has new re-opening guidelines for businesses. They revised these guidelines on November 5th of 2020. The regulations vary based on the type of business that you have.
Food Service Businesses
Businesses such as restaurants, bars, cafeterias, and food courts may not open before 5 a.m. and they must close their doors by 10 p.m. The state does allow deliveries and outdoor dining to continue after 10 p.m.
Every person who enters an establishment as a customer, worker, or visitor must wear a facial covering of some kind. If anyone refuses to wear a mask, they may be asked to leave the premises. A business will be expected to provide masks for its employees.
There can be no more than eight people at a table at a time with a space of 6 feet between tables. They can also require customers to provide their phone numbers so they can be called if there is a case of COVID-19 at the establishment. They must provide hand sanitizer as well.
There has not been a lot of cause for celebration in the last year. Just in case anyone feels like dancing, the state is required that bars close all dance floors.
Employees take off the facial covering when they are at least six feet away from anyone else, in the backroom, or if they are in an office alone.
Retail Stores and Malls
If a mall has a food court, it must comply with restaurant regulations. If a store has a beverage station, they may only open it if they are able to sanitize it and clean it on a regular basis. Stores must limit their occupancy to 50% or less.
Stores must have specific hours dedicated to high-risk customers, such as the elderly. They must also install some type of shield between the customer and the cashiers. They must have designated spots for customers to stand when they are waiting in line. These spaces must be at least 6 feet apart.
Schools
Most schools are closed due to the pandemic. Social distancing rules requiring people to be at least six feet apart would be impossible to enforce in most schools. They must sanitize often and ensure that students are washing their hands on a regular basis. All students must wear masks unless they have a disability.
Both lunch periods and recess must be staggered and, yet, they must give everyone lunch and recess. Masks must also be worn on school buses as well.
It would be very difficult for most schools to follow these rules. Hence, the state is strongly encouraging schools to stay closed.
We are living in a very different world nowadays. If you are currently buying or selling a business, you may want to contact a business consultant such as A Neumann & Associates or consult a business attorney. It will be a while before the new normal seems normal. Keeping yourself apprised of the law will help.
