Preventing COVID-19 Spread in Communities
Protect yourself and your community from getting and spreading respiratory illnesses like coronavirus disease 2019. Everyone has a role to play in getting ready and staying healthy.
CDC is aggressively responding to the global outbreak of COVID-19 and community spread in the United States. CDC’s “All of Community” approach is focused to slowing the transmission of COVID-19 and reducing illness and death, while minimizing social and economic impacts.
Actions for Protecting Communities from COVID-19
How to prepare and take action for COVID-19
Get my household ready
Get my school and childcare program ready
Get my college or university ready
Interim Guidance for Administrators
Community and faith leaders, get ready
Interim Guidance for Community and Faith Leaders
Healthcare professionals, get ready
Steps Healthcare Facilities Can Take
Interim Guidance for Healthcare Facilities
Strategies to Prevent the Spread of COVID-19 in Long-Term Care Facilities (LTCF)
Americans should be prepared for the possibility of a COVID-19 outbreak in their community. The community can take measures to reduce the spread of COVID-19.
Currently a vaccine or drug is not available for COVID-19. Community-based interventions such as school dismissals, event cancellations, social distancing, and creating employee plans to work remotely can help slow the spread of COVID-19. Individuals can practice everyday prevention measures like frequent hand washing, staying home when sick, and covering coughs and sneezes.
Decisions about the implementation of community measures will be made by local and state officials, in consultation with federal officials as appropriate, and based on the scope of the outbreak and the severity of illness. Implementation will require extensive community engagement, with ongoing and transparent public health communications.
Checklist to Get Your Household Ready
FAQs for Individuals and Families
Cleaning and Disinfection Recommendations
Get Your Household Ready for Coronavirus Disease 2019
This interim guidance is based on what is currently known about the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will update this interim guidance as needed and as additional information becomes available.
This interim guidance is to help household members plan for community transmission of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the United States. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) encourages household members to prepare for the possibility of a COVID-19 outbreak in their community.
COVID-19 is caused by a new virus. There is much to learn about its transmissibility, severity, and other features of the disease. We want to help everyone prepare to respond to this public health threat.
Before a COVID-19 outbreak occurs in your community: Plan
A COVID-19 outbreak could last for a long time in your community. Depending on the severity of the outbreak, public health officials may recommend community actions designed to help keep people healthy, reduce exposures to COVID-19, and slow the spread of the disease. Local public health officials may make recommendations appropriate to your local situation. Creating a household plan can help protect your health and the health of those you care about in the event of an outbreak of COVID-19 in your community. You should base the details of your household plan on the needs and daily routine of your household members.
Create a household plan of action
Talk with the people who need to be included in your plan. Meet with household members, other relatives, and friends to discuss what to do if a COVID-19 outbreak occurs in your community and what the needs of each person will be.
Plan ways to care for those who might be at greater risk for serious complications. There is limited information about who may be at risk for severe complications from COVID-19 illness. From the data that are available for COVID-19 patients, and from data for related coronaviruses such as SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV, it is possible that older adults and persons who have underlying chronic medical conditions may be at risk for more serious complications. Early data suggest older people are more likely to have serious COVID-19 illness. If you or your household members are at increased risk for COVID-19 complications, please consult with your health care provider for more information about monitoring your health for symptoms suggestive of COVID-19. CDC will recommend actions to help keep people at high risk for complications healthy if a COVID-19 outbreak occurs in your community.
Get to know your neighbors. Talk with your neighbors about emergency planning. If your neighborhood has a website or social media page, consider joining it to maintain access to neighbors, information, and resources.
Identify aid organizations in your community. Create a list of local organizations that you and your household can contact in the event you need access to information, health care services, support, and resources. Consider including organizations that provide mental health or counseling services, food, and other supplies.
Create an emergency contact list. Ensure your household has a current list of emergency contacts for family, friends, neighbors, carpool drivers, health care providers, teachers, employers, the local public health department, and other community resources.
Practice good personal health habits and plan for home-based actions
Practice everyday preventive actions now. Remind everyone in your household of the importance of practicing everyday preventive actions that can help prevent the spread of respiratory illnesses:
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Stay home when you are sick, except to get medical care.
• Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue.
• Clean frequently touched surfaces and objects daily (e.g., tables, countertops, light switches, doorknobs, and cabinet handles) using a regular household detergent and water.
○ If surfaces are dirty, they should be cleaned using a detergent and water prior to disinfection. For disinfection, a list of products with Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-approved emerging viral pathogens claims, maintained by the American Chemistry Council Center for Biocide Chemistries (CBC), is available at Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Fighting Products. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for all cleaning and disinfection products.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Always wash your hands with soap and water if your hands are visibly dirty.
Choose a room in your home that can be used to separate sick household members from those who are healthy. Identify a separate bathroom for the sick person to use, if possible. Plan to clean these rooms, as needed, when someone is sick. Learn how to care for someone with COVID-19 at home.
Be prepared if your child’s school or childcare facility is temporarily dismissed
Learn about the emergency operations plan at your child’s school or childcare facility. During a COVID-19 outbreak in your community, local public health officials may recommend temporary school dismissals to help slow the spread of illness. School authorities also may decide to dismiss a school if too many students or staff are absent. Understand the plan for continuing education and social services (such as student meal programs) during school dismissals. If your child attends a college or university, encourage them to learn about the school’s plan for a COVID-19 outbreak.
Plan for potential changes at your workplace
Learn about your employer’s emergency operations plan. Discuss sick-leave policies and telework options for workers who are sick or who need to stay home to care for sick household members. Learn how businesses and employers can plan for and respond to COVID-19.
During a COVID-19 outbreak in your community: Act
During an outbreak in your community, protect yourself and others by:
• Staying home from work, school, and all activities when you are sick with COVID-19 symptoms, which may include fever, cough, and difficulty breathing.
• Keeping away from others who are sick.
• Limiting close contact with others as much as possible (about 6 feet).
Put your household plan into action
Stay informed about the local COVID-19 situation. Get up-to-date information about local COVID-19 activity from public health officials. Be aware of temporary school dismissals in your area, as this may affect your household’s daily routine.
Stay home if you are sick. Stay home if you have COVID-19 symptoms. If a member of your household is sick, stay home from school and work to avoid spreading COVID-19 to others.
• If your children are in the care of others, urge caregivers to watch for COVID-19 symptoms.
Continue practicing everyday preventive actions. Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue and wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use a hand sanitizer that contains 60% alcohol. Clean frequently touched surfaces and objects daily using a regular household detergent and water.
Use the separate room and bathroom you prepared for sick household members (if possible). Learn how to care for someone with COVID-19 at home. Avoid sharing personal items like food and drinks. Provide your sick household member with clean disposable facemasks to wear at home, if available, to help prevent spreading COVID-19 to others. Clean the sick room and bathroom, as needed, to avoid unnecessary contact with the sick person.
• If surfaces are dirty, they should be cleaned using a detergent and water prior to disinfection. For disinfection, a list of products with EPA-approved emerging viral pathogens claims, maintained by the CBC, is available at Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Fighting Products. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for all cleaning and disinfection products.
Stay in touch with others by phone or email. If you live alone and become sick during a COVID-19 outbreak, you may need help. If you have a chronic medical condition and live alone, ask family, friends, and health care providers to check on you during an outbreak. Stay in touch with family and friends with chronic medical conditions.
Take care of the emotional health of your household members. Outbreaks can be stressful for adults and children. Children respond differently to stressful situations than adults. Talk with your children about the outbreak, try to stay calm, and reassure them that they are safe.
Inform your workplace if you need to change your regular work schedule
Notify your workplace as soon as possible if your schedule changes. Ask to work from home or take leave if you or someone in your household gets sick with COVID-19 symptoms, or if your child’s school is dismissed temporarily.
Take the following steps to help protect your children during an outbreak
If your child/children become sick with COVID-19, notify their childcare facility or school. Talk with teachers about classroom assignments and activities they can do from home to keep up with their schoolwork.
Keep track of school dismissals in your community. Read or watch local media sources that report school dismissals. If schools are dismissed temporarily, use alternative childcare arrangements, if needed.
Discourage children and teens from gathering in other public places while school is dismissed to help slow the spread of COVID-19 in the community.
After a COVID-19 outbreak has ended in your community: Follow Up
Remember, a COVID-19 outbreak could last a long time. The impact on individuals, households, and communities might be great. When public health officials determine the outbreak has ended in your community, take time to improve your household’s plan. As public health officials continue to plan for COVID-19 and other disease outbreaks, you and your household also have an important role to play in ongoing planning efforts.
Evaluate the effectiveness of your household’s plan of action
Discuss and note lessons learned. Were your COVID-19 preparedness actions effective at home, school, and work? Talk about problems found in your plan and effective solutions. Identify additional resources needed for you and your household.
Participate in community discussions about emergency planning. Let others know about what readiness actions worked for you and your household. Maintain communication lines with your community (e.g., social media and email lists). Promote the importance of practicing good personal health habits.
Continue to practice everyday preventive actions. Stay home when you are sick; cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue; wash your hands often with soap and water; and clean frequently touched surfaces and objects daily.
Take care of the emotional health of your household members. Make time to unwind and remind yourself that strong feelings will fade. Take breaks from watching, reading, or listening to news stories about COVID-19. Connect with family and friends. Share your concerns and how you are feeling with others.
Help your child/children cope after the outbreak. Provide children with opportunities to talk about what they went through or what they think about it. Encourage them to share concerns and ask questions. Because parents, teachers, and other adults see children in different situations, it is important for them to work together to share information about how each child is coping after the outbreak.
Checklist for Individuals and Families
As a family, you can plan and make decisions now that will protect you and your family during a COVID-19 outbreak. Creating a household plan can help protect your health and the health of those you care about in the event of an outbreak of COVID-19 in your community. Use this checklist to help you take steps to plan and protect the health of you and your family.
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PLAN AND PREPARE |
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Get up-to-date information about local COVID-19 activity from public health officials |
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Create a household plan of action. • Consider members of the household that may be at greater risk such as older adults and people with severe chronic illnesses. • Ask your neighbors what their plan includes. • Create a list of local organizations you and your household can contact in case you need access to information, healthcare services, support, and resources. • Create an emergency contact list including family, friends, neighbors, carpool drivers, healthcare providers, teachers, employers, the local public health department, and other community resources. • Choose a room in your house that can be used to separate sick household members from others. |
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Take everyday preventive actions: • Wash your hands frequently • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth. • Stay home when you are sick. • Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash. • Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces Be prepared if your child’s school or childcare facility is temporarily dismissed or for potential changes at your workplace. |
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TAKE ACTION |
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In case of an outbreak in your community, protect yourself and others: • Stay home and speak to your healthcare provider if you develop fever, cough, or shortness of breath • If you develop emergency warning signs for COVID-19 get medical attention immediately. In adults, emergency warning signs*: ○ Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath ○ Persistent pain or pressure in the chest ○ New confusion or inability to arouse ○ Bluish lips or face ○ * This list is not all inclusive. Please consult your medical provider for any other symptom that is severe or concerning. • Keep away from others who are sick • Limit close contact with others as much as possible (about 6 feet) |
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Put your household plan into action • Continue to practice everyday preventive actions • If someone in the household is sick, separate them into the prepared room • If caring for a household member, follow recommended precautions and monitor your own health • Keep surfaces disinfected • Avoid sharing personal items • If you become sick, stay in contact with others by phone or email • Stay informed about the local outbreak situation • Notify your work if your schedule needs to change • Take care of the emotional health of your household members, including yourself |
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Take additional precautions for those at highest risk, particularly older adults and those who have severe underlying health conditions. • Consider staying at home and away from crowds if you or a family member are an older adult or have underlying health issues • Make sure you have access to several weeks of medications and supplies in case you need to stay home • When you go out in public, keep away from others who are sick and limit close contact with others • Practice good hand hygiene |
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Take the following steps to help protect your children during an outbreak: • Notify your child’s school if your child becomes sick with COVID-19 • Keep track of school dismissals in your community • Discourage children and teens from gathering in other public places |
FAQs for Individuals and Families
Preparing Your Home for COVID-19
How can my family and I prepare for COVID-19?
Create a household plan of action to help protect your health and the health of those you care about in the event of an outbreak of COVID-19 in your community:
• Talk with the people who need to be included in your plan, and discuss what to do if a COVID-19 outbreak occurs in your community.
• Plan ways to care for those who might be at greater risk for serious complications, particularly older adults and those with severe chronic medical conditions like heart, lung or kidney disease.
○ Make sure they have access to several weeks of medications and supplies in case you need to stay home for prolonged periods of time.
• Get to know your neighbors and find out if your neighborhood has a website or social media page to stay connected.
• Create a list of local organizations that you and your household can contact in the event you need access to information, healthcare services, support, and resources.
• Create an emergency contact list of family, friends, neighbors, carpool drivers, health care providers, teachers, employers, the local public health department, and other community resources.
What steps can my family take to reduce our risk of getting COVID-19?
Practice everyday preventive actions to help reduce your risk of getting sick and remind everyone in your home to do the same. These actions are especially important for older adults and people who have severe chronic medical conditions:
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Stay home when you are sick, except to get medical care.
• Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue and throw the tissue in the trash.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing; going to the bathroom; and before eating or preparing food.
• If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces and objects (e.g., tables, countertops, light switches, doorknobs, and cabinet handles).
What should I do if someone in my house gets sick with COVID-19?
Most people who get COVID-19 will be able to recover at home. CDC has directions for people who are recovering at home and their caregivers, including:
• Stay home when you are sick, except to get medical care.
• If you develop emergency warning signs for COVID-19 get medical attention immediately. In adults, emergency warning signs*:
○ Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
○ Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
○ New confusion or inability to arouse
○ Bluish lips or face
○ * This list is not all inclusive. Please consult your medical provider for any other symptom that is severe or concerning.
• Use a separate room and bathroom for sick household members (if possible).
• Clean hands regularly by handwashing with soap and water or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
• Provide your sick household member with clean disposable facemasks to wear at home, if available, to help prevent spreading COVID-19 to others.
• Clean the sick room and bathroom, as needed, to avoid unnecessary contact with the sick person.
• Avoid sharing personal items like utensils, food, and drinks.
How can I prepare in case my child’s school, childcare facility, or university is dismissed?
Talk to the school or facility about their emergency operations plan. Understand the plan for continuing education and social services (such as student meal programs) during school dismissals. If your child attends a college or university, encourage them to learn about the school’s plan for a COVID-19 outbreak.
How can I prepare for COVID-19 at work?
Plan for potential changes at your workplace. Talk to your employer about their emergency operations plan, including sick-leave policies and telework options. Learn how businesses and employers can plan for and respond to COVID-19.
Should I use soap and water or a hand sanitizer to protect against COVID-19?
Handwashing is one of the best ways to protect yourself and your family from getting sick. Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing; going to the bathroom; and before eating or preparing food. If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
What cleaning products should I use to protect against COVID-19?
Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces such as tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets, and sinks. If surfaces are dirty, clean them using detergent or soap and water prior to disinfection. To disinfect, most common EPA-registered household disinfectants will work. See CDC’s recommendations for household cleaning and disinfection.
In Case of an Outbreak in Your Community
What should I do if there is an outbreak in my community?
During an outbreak, stay calm and put your preparedness plan to work. Follow the steps below:
Protect yourself and others.
• Stay home if you are sick. Keep away from people who are sick. Limit close contact with others as much as possible (about 6 feet).
Put your household plan into action.
• Stay informed about the local COVID-19 situation. Be aware of temporary school dismissals in your area, as this may affect your household’s daily routine.
• Continue practicing everyday preventive actions. Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue and wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use a hand sanitizer that contains 60% alcohol. Clean frequently touched surfaces and objects daily using a regular household detergent and water.
• Notify your workplace as soon as possible if your regular work schedule changes. Ask to work from home or take leave if you or someone in your household gets sick with COVID-19 symptoms, or if your child’s school is dismissed temporarily. Learn how businesses and employers can plan for and respond to COVID-19.
• Stay in touch with others by phone or email. If you have a chronic medical condition and live alone, ask family, friends, and health care providers to check on you during an outbreak. Stay in touch with family and friends, especially those at increased risk of developing severe illness, such as older adults and people with severe chronic medical conditions.
How do I prepare my children in case of COVID-19 outbreak in our community?
Outbreaks can be stressful for adults and children. Talk with your children about the outbreak, try to stay calm, and reassure them that they are safe. If appropriate, explain to them that most illness from COVID-19 seems to be mild. Children respond differently to stressful situations than adults.
What steps should parents take to protect children during a community outbreak?
This is a new virus and we are still learning about it, but so far, there does not seem to be a lot of illness in children. Most illness, including serious illness, is happening in adults of working age and older adults. If there cases of COVID-19 that impact your child’s school, the school may dismiss students. Keep track of school dismissals in your community. Read or watch local media sources that report school dismissals. If schools are dismissed temporarily, use alternative childcare arrangements, if needed.
If your child/children become sick with COVID-19, notify their childcare facility or school. Talk with teachers about classroom assignments and activities they can do from home to keep up with their schoolwork.
Discourage children and teens from gathering in other public places while school is dismissed to help slow the spread of COVID-19 in the community.
Will schools be dismissed if there is an outbreak in my community?
Depending on the situation, public health officials may recommend community actions to reduce exposures to COVID-19, such as school dismissals. Read or watch local media sources that report school dismissals or and watch for communication from your child’s school. If schools are dismissed temporarily, discourage students and staff from gathering or socializing anywhere, like at a friend’s house, a favorite restaurant, or the local shopping mall.
Should I go to work if there is an outbreak in my community?
Follow the advice of your local health officials. Stay home if you can. Talk to your employer to discuss working from home, taking leave if you or someone in your household gets sick with COVID-19 symptoms, or if your child’s school is dismissed temporarily. Employers should be aware that more employees may need to stay at home to care for sick children or other sick family members than is usual in case of a community outbreak.
Environmental Cleaning and Disinfection Recommendations
Interim Recommendations for US Households with Suspected/Confirmed Coronavirus Disease 2019
Background
There is much to learn about the novel coronavirus that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Based on what is currently known about the novel coronavirus and similar coronaviruses that cause SARS and MERS, spread from person-to-person with these viruses happens most frequently among close contacts (within about 6 feet). This type of transmission occurs via respiratory droplets. On the other hand, transmission of novel coronavirus to persons from surfaces contaminated with the virus has not been documented. Transmission of coronavirus occurs much more commonly through respiratory droplets than through fomites. Current evidence suggests that novel coronavirus may remain viable for hours to days on surfaces made from a variety of materials. Cleaning of visibly dirty surfaces followed by disinfection is a best practice measure for prevention of COVID-19 and other viral respiratory illnesses in households and community settings.
Purpose
This guidance provides recommendations on the cleaning and disinfection of households where persons under investigation (PUI) or those with confirmed COVID-19 reside or may be in self-isolation. It is aimed at limiting the survival of the virus in the environments. These recommendations will be updated if additional information becomes available.
These guidelines are focused on household settings and are meant for the general public.
• Cleaning refers to the removal of germs, dirt, and impurities from surfaces. Cleaning does not kill germs, but by removing them, it lowers their numbers and the risk of spreading infection.
• Disinfecting refers to using chemicals to kill germs on surfaces. This process does not necessarily clean dirty surfaces or remove germs, but by killing germs on a surface after cleaning, it can further lower the risk of spreading infection.
General Recommendations for Routine Cleaning and Disinfection of Households
Community members can practice routine cleaning of frequently touched surfaces (for example: tables, doorknobs, light switches, handles, desks, toilets, faucets, sinks) with household cleaners and EPA-registered disinfectants that are appropriate for the surface, following label instructions. Labels contain instructions for safe and effective use of the cleaning product including precautions you should take when applying the product, such as wearing gloves and making sure you have good ventilation during use of the product.
General Recommendations for Cleaning and Disinfection of Households with People Isolated in Home Care (e.g. Suspected/Confirmed to have COVID-19)
• Household members should educate themselves about COVID-19 symptoms and preventing the spread of COVID-19 in homes.
• Clean and disinfect high-touch surfaces daily in household common areas (e.g. tables, hard-backed chairs, doorknobs, light switches, remotes, handles, desks, toilets, sinks)
○ In the bedroom/bathroom dedicated for an ill person: consider reducing cleaning frequency to as-needed (e.g., soiled items and surfaces) to avoid unnecessary contact with the ill person.
■ As much as possible, an ill person should stay in a specific room and away from other people in their home, following home care guidance.
■ The caregiver can provide personal cleaning supplies for an ill person’s room and bathroom, unless the room is occupied by child or another person for whom such supplies would not be appropriate. These supplies include tissues, paper towels, cleaners and EPA-registered disinfectants (examples at this link).
■ If a separate bathroom is not available, the bathroom should be cleaned and disinfected after each use by an ill person. If this is not possible, the caregiver should wait as long as practical after use by an ill person to clean and disinfect the high-touch surfaces.
• Household members should follow home care guidance when interacting with persons with suspected/confirmed COVID-19 and their isolation rooms/bathrooms.
How to clean and disinfect:
Surfaces
• Wear disposable gloves when cleaning and disinfecting surfaces. Gloves should be discarded after each cleaning. If reusable gloves are used, those gloves should be dedicated for cleaning and disinfection of surfaces for COVID-19 and should not be used for other purposes. Consult the manufacturer’s instructions for cleaning and disinfection products used. Clean hands immediately after gloves are removed.
• If surfaces are dirty, they should be cleaned using a detergent or soap and water prior to disinfection.
• For disinfection, diluted household bleach solutions, alcohol solutions with at least 70% alcohol, and most common EPA-registered household disinfectants should be effective.
○ Diluted household bleach solutions can be used if appropriate for the surface. Follow manufacturer’s instructions for application and proper ventilation. Check to ensure the product is not past its expiration date. Never mix household bleach with ammonia or any other cleanser. Unexpired household bleach will be effective against coronaviruses when properly diluted.
■ Prepare a bleach solution by mixing:
■ 5 tablespoons (1/3rd cup) bleach per gallon of water or
■ 4 teaspoons bleach per quart of water
○ Products with EPA-approved emerging viral pathogens claims are expected to be effective against COVID-19 based on data for harder to kill viruses. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for all cleaning and disinfection products (e.g., concentration, application method and contact time, etc.).
• For soft (porous) surfaces such as carpeted floor, rugs, and drapes, remove visible contamination if present and clean with appropriate cleaners indicated for use on these surfaces. After cleaning:
○ Launder items as appropriate in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. If possible, launder items using the warmest appropriate water setting for the items and dry items completely, or
Use products with the EPA-approved emerging viral pathogens claims (examples at this link) that are suitable for porous surfaces.
Clothing, towels, linens and other items that go in the laundry
• Wear disposable gloves when handling dirty laundry from an ill person and then discard after each use. If using reusable gloves, those gloves should be dedicated for cleaning and disinfection of surfaces for COVID-19 and should not be used for other household purposes. Clean hands immediately after gloves are removed.
○ If no gloves are used when handling dirty laundry, be sure to wash hands afterwards.
○ If possible, do not shake dirty laundry. This will minimize the possibility of dispersing virus through the air.
○ Launder items as appropriate in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. If possible, launder items using the warmest appropriate water setting for the items and dry items completely. Dirty laundry from an ill person can be washed with other people’s items.
○ Clean and disinfect clothes hampers according to guidance above for surfaces. If possible, consider placing a bag liner that is either disposable (can be thrown away) or can be laundered.
Hand hygiene and other preventive measures
• Household members should clean hands often, including immediately after removing gloves and after contact with an ill person, by washing hands with soap and water for 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available and hands are not visibly dirty, an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol may be used. However, if hands are visibly dirty, always wash hands with soap and water.
• Household members should follow normal preventive actions while at work and home including recommended hand hygiene and avoiding touching eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands.
○ Additional key times to clean hands include:
■ After blowing one’s nose, coughing, or sneezing
■ After using the restroom
■ Before eating or preparing food
■ After contact with animals or pets
■ Before and after providing routine care for another person who needs assistance (e.g. a child)
Other considerations
• The ill person should eat/be fed in their room if possible. Non-disposable food service items used should be handled with gloves and washed with hot water or in a dishwasher. Clean hands after handling used food service items.
• If possible, dedicate a lined trash can for the ill person. Use gloves when removing garbage bags, handling, and disposing of trash. Wash hands after handling or disposing of trash.
• Consider consulting with your local health department about trash disposal guidance if available.
Resources for K-12 Schools and Childcare Programs
Interim Guidance for Administrators
Cleaning and Disinfection Recommendations
Checklist for Teachers, Parents, and Administrators
Talking With Children About Coronavirus Disease 2019
Interim Guidance for Administrators of US Childcare Programs and K-12 Schools
Older adults and people who have severe underlying chronic medical conditions like heart or lung disease or diabetes seem to be at higher risk for developing more serious complications from COVID-19 illness.
This interim guidance is based on what is currently known about the transmission and severity of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will update this guidance as needed and as additional information becomes available. Please check the following CDC website periodically for updated interim guidance: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html.
Health officials are currently taking steps to prevent the introduction and spread of COVID-19 into US communities. Schools can play an important role in this effort. Through collaboration and coordination with local health departments, schools can take steps to disseminate information about the disease and its potential transmission within their school community. Schools can prepare to take steps to prevent the spread of COVID-19 among their students and staff should local health officials identify such a need.
Schools should continue to collaborate, share information, and review plans with local health officials to help protect the whole school community, including those with special health needs. School plans should be designed to minimize disruption to teaching and learning and protect students and staff from social stigma and discrimination. Plans can build on everyday practices (e.g., encouraging hand hygiene, monitoring absenteeism, communicating routinely) that include strategies for before, during, and after a possible outbreak.
Who is this guidance for?
This interim guidance is intended to help administrators of public and private childcare programs and K-12 schools prevent the spread of COVID-19 among students and staff. Administrators are individuals who oversee the daily operations of childcare programs and K-12 schools, and may include positions like childcare program directors, school district superintendents, principals, and assistant principals. This guidance is intended for administrators at both the school/facility and district level.
Why is this guidance being issued?
Information provided should help childcare programs, schools, and their partners understand how to help prevent the transmission of COVID-19 within childcare and school communities and facilities. It also aims to help childcare programs, schools, and partners to react quickly should a case be identified. The guidance includes considerations to help administrators plan for the continuity of teaching and learning if there is community spread of COVID-19.
What is the role of schools in responding to COVID-19?
COVID-19 is a respiratory illness caused by a novel (new) virus, and we are learning more about it every day. There is currently no vaccine to protect against COVID-19. At this point, the best way to prevent infection is to avoid being exposed to the virus that causes it. Stopping transmission (spread) of the virus through everyday practices is the best way to keep people healthy. More information on COVID-19 is available here.
Schools, working together with local health departments, have an important role in slowing the spread of diseases to help ensure students have safe and healthy learning environments. Schools serve students, staff, and visitors from throughout the community. All of these people may have close contact in the school setting, often sharing spaces, equipment, and supplies.
Guidance for schools which do not have COVID-19 identified in their community
To prepare for possible community transmission of COVID-19, the most important thing for schools to do now is plan and prepare. As the global outbreak evolves, schools should prepare for the possibility of community-level outbreaks. Schools want to be ready if COVID-19 does appear in their communities.
Childcare and K-12 school administrators nationwide can take steps to help stop or slow the spread of respiratory infectious diseases, including COVID-19:
• Review, update, and implement emergency operations plans (EOPs). This should be done in collaboration with local health departments and other relevant partners. Focus on the components, or annexes, of the plans that address infectious disease outbreaks.
○ Ensure the plan includes strategies to reduce the spread of a wide variety of infectious diseases (e.g., seasonal influenza). Effective strategies build on everyday school policies and practices.
○ Ensure the plan emphasizes common-sense preventive actions for students and staff. For example, emphasize actions such as staying home when sick; appropriately covering coughs and sneezes; cleaning frequently touched surfaces; and washing hands often.
■ CDC has workplace resources such as posters with messages for staff about staying home when sick and how to avoid spreading germs at work.
○ Ensure handwashing strategies include washing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or using a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available.
■ CDC offers several free handwashing resources that include health promotion materials, information on proper handwashing technique, and tips for families to help children develop good handwashing habits.
○ Reference key resources while reviewing, updating, and implementing the EOP:
■ Multiple federal agencies have developed resources on school planning principles and a 6-step process for creating plans to build and continually foster safe and healthy school communities before, during, and after possible emergencies. Key resources include guidance on developing high-quality school emergency operations plans, and a companion guide on the role of school districts in developing high-quality school emergency operations plans.
■ The Readiness and Emergency Management for Schools (REMS) Technical Assistance (TA) Center’s website contains free resources, trainings, and TA to schools and their community partners, including many tools and resources on emergency planning and response to infectious disease outbreaks.
○ Develop information-sharing systems with partners.
■ Information-sharing systems can be used for day-to-day reporting (on information such as changes in absenteeism) and disease surveillance efforts to detect and respond to an outbreak.
■ Local health officials should be a key partner in information sharing.
○ Monitor and plan for absenteeism.
■ Review the usual absenteeism patterns at your school among both students and staff.
■ Alert local health officials about large increases in student and staff absenteeism, particularly if absences appear due to respiratory illnesses (like the common cold or the “flu,” which have symptoms similar to symptoms of COVID-19).
■ Review attendance and sick leave policies. Encourage students and staff to stay home when sick. Use flexibility, when possible, to allow staff to stay home to care for sick family members.
■ Discourage the use of perfect attendance awards and incentives.
■ Identify critical job functions and positions, and plan for alternative coverage by cross-training staff.
■ Determine what level of absenteeism will disrupt continuity of teaching and learning.
○ Establish procedures for students and staff who are sick at school.
■ Establish procedures to ensure students and staff who become sick at school or arrive at school sick are sent home as soon as possible.
■ Keep sick students and staff separate from well students and staff until they can leave.
■ Remember that schools are not expected to screen students or staff to identify cases of COVID-19. The majority of respiratory illnesses are not COVID-19. If a community (or more specifically, a school) has cases of COVID-19, local health officials will help identify those individuals and will follow up on next steps.
■ Share resources with the school community to help families understand when to keep children home. This guidance, not specific to COVID-19, from the American Academy of Pediatrics can be helpful for families.
○ Perform routine environmental cleaning.
■ Routinely clean frequently touched surfaces (e.g., doorknobs, light switches, countertops) with the cleaners typically used. Use all cleaning products according to the directions on the label.
■ Provide disposable wipes so that commonly used surfaces (e.g., keyboards, desks, remote controls) can be wiped down by students and staff before each use.
○ Create communications plans for use with the school community.
■ Include strategies for sharing information with staff, students, and their families.
■ Include information about steps being taken by the school or childcare facility to prepare, and how additional information will be shared.
○ Review CDC’s guidance for businesses and employers.
■ Review this CDC guidance to identify any additional strategies the school can use, given its role as an employer.
Childcare and K-12 administrators can also support their school community by sharing resources with students (if resources are age-appropriate), their families, and staff. Coordinate with local health officials to determine what type of information might be best to share with the school community. Consider sharing the following fact sheets and information sources:
• Information about COVID-19 available through state and local health departments
• General CDC fact sheets to help staff and students’ families understand COVID-19 and the steps they can take to protect themselves:
○ What you need to know about coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)
○ What to do if you are sick with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)
○ Stop the spread of germs – help prevent the spread of respiratory viruses like COVID-19
• CDC Information on COVID-19 and children
• CDC information for staff, students, and their families who have recently traveled back to the United States from areas where CDC has identified community spread of coronavirus:
○ A list of countries where community spread of COVID-19 is occurring can be found on the CDC webpage: Coronavirus Disease 2019 Information for Travel
For questions about students who plan to travel, or have recently traveled, to areas with community spread of COVID-19, refer to CDC’s FAQ for travelers. Schools can also consult with state and local health officials. Schools may need to postpone or cancel trips that could expose students and staff to potential community spread of COVID-19. Students returning from travel to areas with community spread of COVID-19 must follow guidance they have received from health officials. COVID-19 information for travel is updated regularly on the CDC website.
Guidance for schools with identified cases of COVID-19 in their community
If local health officials report that there are cases of COVID-19 in the community, schools may need to take additional steps in response to prevent spread in the school. The first step for schools in this situation is to talk with local health officials. The guidance provided here is based on current knowledge of COVID-19. As additional information becomes available about the virus, how it spreads, and how severe it is, this guidance may be updated. Administrators are encouraged to work closely with local health officials to determine a course of action for their childcare programs or schools.
Determine if, when, and for how long childcare programs or schools may need to be dismissed.
Temporarily dismissing childcare programs and K-12 schools is a strategy to stop or slow the further spread of COVID-19 in communities. During school dismissals, childcare programs and schools may stay open for staff members (unless ill) while students stay home. Keeping facilities open a) allows teachers to develop and deliver lessons and materials remotely, thus maintaining continuity of teaching and learning; and b) allows other staff members to continue to provide services and help with additional response efforts.
Childcare and school administrators should work in close collaboration and coordination with local health officials to make dismissal and large event cancellation decisions. Schools are not expected to make decisions about dismissal or canceling events on their own. Schools can seek specific guidance from local health officials to determine if, when, and for how long to take these steps. Large event cancellations or school dismissals may be recommended for 14 days, or possibly longer if advised by local health officials. The nature of these actions (e.g., geographic scope, duration) may change as the local outbreak situation evolves.
If an ill student or staff member attended school prior to being confirmed as a COVID-19 case:
• Local health officials may recommend temporary school dismissals if a student or staff member attended school prior to being confirmed as a COVID-19 case. Local health officials’ recommendations for the scope (e.g., a single school, a full district) and duration of school dismissals will be made on a case-by-case basis based on the most up-to-date information about COVID-19 and the specific cases in the impacted community.
• Schools should work with the local health department and other relevant leadership to communicate the possible COVID-19 exposure. This communication to the school community should align with the communication plan in the school’s emergency operations plan. In such a circumstance, it is critical to maintain confidentiality of the student or staff member as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act.
• If a student or staff member has been identified with COVID-19, school and program administrators should seek guidance from local health officials to determine when students and staff should return to schools and what additional steps are needed for the school community. In addition, students and staff who are well but are taking care of or share a home with someone with a case of COVID-19 should follow instructions from local health officials to determine when to return to school.
If schools are dismissed, schools can consider the following steps:
• Temporarily cancel extracurricular group activities and large events.
○ Cancel or postpone events such as after-school assemblies and pep rallies, field trips, and sporting events.
• Discourage students and staff from gathering or socializing anywhere.
○ Discourage gatherings at places like a friend’s house, a favorite restaurant, or the local shopping mall.
• Ensure continuity of education.
○ Review continuity plans, including plans for the continuity of teaching and learning. Implement e-learning plans, including digital and distance learning options as feasible and appropriate.
○ Determine, in consultation with school district officials or other relevant state or local partners:
■ If a waiver is needed for state requirements of a minimum number of in-person instructional hours or school days (seat time) as a condition for funding;
■ How to convert face-to-face lessons into online lessons and how to train teachers to do so;
■ How to triage technical issues if faced with limited IT support and staff;
■ How to encourage appropriate adult supervision while children are using distance learning approaches; and
■ How to deal with the potential lack of students’ access to computers and the Internet at home.
○ Ensure continuity of meal programs.
■ Consider ways to distribute food to students.
■ If there is community spread of COVID-19, design strategies to avoid distribution in settings where people might gather in a group or crowd. Consider options such as “grab-and-go” bagged lunches or meal delivery.
○ Consider alternatives for providing essential medical and social services for students.
■ Continue providing necessary services for children with special healthcare needs, or work with the state Title V Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs (CYSHCN) Program.
K-12 Schools and Childcare Programs
FAQs for Administrators
Planning and Preparedness
What actions should school and childcare program administrators take to plan for an outbreak?
Administrators of childcare programs and K-12 schools should take the following actions to plan and prepare for COVID-19:
• Review, update, and implement school emergency operation plans, particularly for infectious disease outbreaks.
• Emphasize actions for students and staff to take such as staying home when sick; appropriately covering coughs and sneezes; and washing hands often.
• Cleaning frequently touched surfaces.
• Monitor and plan for absenteeism.
○ Review the usual absenteeism patterns at your school among both students and staff.
○ Review attendance and sick leave policies. Encourage students and staff to stay home when sick. Use flexibility, when possible, to allow staff to stay home to care for sick family members.
○ Alert local health officials about increases in absences, particularly those that appear due to respiratory illnesses.
• Monitor and plan for addressing fear and bullying related to COVID-19.
• Communicate early and repeatedly with parents directly what the policies and procedures will be to allow parents to assure proper guardianship and care of children.
What actions can staff and students take to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in my school/childcare program?
Encourage students and staff to take everyday preventive actions to prevent the spread of respiratory illnesses, such as staying home when sick; appropriately covering coughs and sneezes; cleaning frequently touched surfaces; and washing hands often with soap and water. If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty. Remember to supervise young children when they use hand sanitizer to prevent swallowing alcohol, especially in childcare facilities.
What steps should my school take if a student or staff member shows symptoms of COVID-19?
You should establish procedures to ensure students and staff who become sick at school or who arrive at school sick are sent home as soon as possible. Keep sick students and staff separate from well students and staff until sick students and staff can be sent home.
Should my school screen students for cases of COVID-19?
Schools and childcare programs are not expected to screen children, students, or staff to identify cases of COVID-19. The majority of respiratory illnesses are not COVID-19. If a community or school has cases of COVID-19, local health officials will help identify those individuals and will follow up on next steps.
What environmental cleaning procedures should my school take to keep staff and students healthy?
Perform routine environmental cleaning. Routinely clean frequently touched surfaces (e.g., doorknobs, light switches, countertops) with cleaners that you typically use. Use all cleaning products according to the directions on the label. Provide disposable wipes so that commonly used surfaces (e.g., keyboards, desks, remote controls) can be wiped down by students and staff before each use.
What resources does CDC have available to share with staff, students, and parents?
Share resources with the school community to help them understand COVID-19 and steps they can take to protect themselves:
• CDC’s health communication resources
• CDC information on stigma and COVID-19
• CDC information on COVID-19 and children
• CDC offers several free handwashing resources that include health promotion materials, information on proper handwashing technique, and tips for families to help children develop good handwashing habits.
• Other health and education professional organizations may also have helpful resources your school can use or share, such as the American Academy of Pediatrics
• CDC’s information on helping children cope with emergencies
• Stigma prevention and facts about COVID-19
Responding to confirmed COVID-19 cases
What actions should my school take if a sick student or staff member attended school before being confirmed as a COVID-19 case?
• Local health officials may recommend temporary school dismissals. Local health officials’ recommendations for the scope (e.g., a single school, a full district) and duration of school dismissals will be made on a case-by-case basis based on the most up-to-date information about COVID-19 and the specific cases in the impacted community. Dismissals may be 14 days or longer, depending on the situation in your community.
• Schools should work with the local health department and other relevant leadership to communicate the possible COVID-19 exposure to the school community. This communication to the school community should align with the communication plan in the school’s emergency operations plan. In such a circumstance, it is critical to maintain confidentiality of the student or staff member as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act.
• If a child or staff member has been identified with COVID-19, school and program administrators should seek guidance from local health officials to determine when students and staff should return to schools and what additional steps are needed for the school community. In addition, students and staff who are well but are taking care of or share a home with someone with a case of COVID-19 should follow instructions from local health officials to determine when to return to school.
What should I do if my school experiences increased rates of absenteeism?
If your school notices a substantial increase in the number of students or staff missing school due to illness, report this to your local health officials.
School Dismissals
Should I close our school/childcare program if there’s been COVID-19 cases in my school?
You may need to use temporary school dismissals of 14 days, or possibly longer, if a student or staff member attended school before being confirmed as having COVID-19. Any decision about school dismissal or cancellation of school events should be made in coordination with your local health officials. Schools are not expected to make decisions about dismissal and event cancellation independent of their local health officials. Dismissal and event cancellation decisions should be considered on a case-by-case basis using information from health officials about the local conditions.
If our school is dismissed, how long should we dismiss school for?
The length (duration), geographic scope, and public health objective of school dismissals may be reassessed and changed as the local outbreak situation evolves. At this time, the recommendation is for at least 14 days. This recommendation may be updated as the situation evolves.
Are there ways for students to keep learning if we decide to dismiss schools?
Yes, many schools may use e-learning plans and distance learning options for continuity of education, if available. Your school or district’s emergency operations plan should have recommended strategies for ensuring continuity of education and may provide guidance on how to proceed during a school dismissal. In addition, you may be able to use and/or scale up approaches used in other situations when students have not been able to attend school (e.g. inclement weather, facility damage, power outages).
If I make the decision for a school dismissal, what else should I consider?
In the event of a school dismissal, extracurricular group activities and large events, such as performances, field trips, and sporting events should also be cancelled. This may require close coordination with other partners and organizations (e.g., high school athletics associations, music associations). In addition, discourage students and staff from gathering or socializing anywhere, like at a friend’s house, a favorite restaurant, or the local shopping mall.
Ensure continuity of meal programs for your students. Consider ways to distribute food to students who receive free or reduced cost meals. Check with the US Department of Agriculture – Food and Nutrition Service for additional information: https://www.fns.usda.gov/disaster/USDAfoodsPandemicSchools. If there is community spread of COVID-19, design strategies to avoid distribution in settings where people might gather in a group or crowd. Consider options such as “grab-and-go” bagged lunches or meal delivery.
Consider alternatives for providing essential medical and social services for students. Continue providing necessary services for children with special healthcare needs, or work with the state Title V Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs (CYSHCN) Program.
If we dismiss school, what do we need to consider when re-opening the building to students?
CDC is currently working on additional guidance to help schools determine when and how to re-open their buildings to students. If you need immediate assistance with this, consult local health officials for guidance.
Recent Travel
What should we do if a child, student, or staff member has recently traveled to an area with COVID-19 or has a family member who has traveled to an area with COVID-19?
Review updated CDC information for travelers, including FAQ for travelers, and consult with state and local health officials. Health officials may use CDC’s Interim US Guidance for Risk Assessment and Public Health Management of Persons with Potential Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Exposure in Travel-associated or Community Settings to make recommendations. Individuals returning from travel to areas with community spread of COVID-19 must follow guidance they have received from health officials.
Schools and Childcare Programs
Checklist for Teachers and Parents
Teachers: Get Your School Ready for Corona Disease 2019
You can protect yourself and your students by practicing and promoting healthy habits during the school year. Use this checklist to plan and take action if a COVID-19 outbreak occurs in your community.
PLAN AND PREPARE
Encourage students to stay home if sick
If your student gets sick at school, keep the sick student away from well students until picked up. Encourage your student to stay home if they are sick with any illness.
Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces and objects in the classroom
Follow CDC’s guidance for cleaning and disinfecting community facilities, such as schools.
Monitor absenteeism
Let administrators know if you see a large increase in absenteeism.
Talk to your administrators about plans for teaching through digital and distance learning
TAKE ACTION AS NEEDED
If your school is dismissed:
Implement a plan to continue educating students through digital and distance learning (if applicable)
Seek guidance from your school administrator to determine when students and staff should return to schools
Duration of school dismissals will be made on a case-by-case basis based on the most up-to-date information about COVID-19 and the specific situation in your community. Students and staff should be prepared for durations that could last several days. Administrators should work with their local health authorities to determine duration of dismissals.
Parents: Get Your School Children for Corona Disease 2019
You can help protect your family from COVID-19 by practicing and promoting everyday healthy habits. If an outbreak occurs in your community, your school may dismiss students to prevent further spread of the virus. Use this checklist to plan and take action if a COVID-19 outbreak occurs in your community.
PLAN AND PREPARE
Practice and reinforce good prevention habits with your family
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
Keep your child at home if sick with any illness
If your child is sick, keep them at home and contact your healthcare provider. Talk with teachers about classroom assignments and activities they can do from home to keep up with their schoolwork.
Be prepared if your child’s school or childcare facility is temporarily dismissed
Talk with your employer about sick leave and telework options in case you need to stay home with your child. Consider planning for alternate childcare arrangements.
IF YOUR SCHOOL/CHILDCARE PROGRAM IS DISMSSED
Keep track of school dismissal updates
Read or watch local media sources that report school dismissals or stay in touch with your school.
Talk to your school about options for digital and distance learning
Discourage children and teens from gathering in other public places while school is dismissed to help slow the spread of COVID-19 in the community
Seek guidance from your school administrator to determine when students and staff should return to schools
Duration of school dismissals will be made on a case-by-case basis based on the most up-to-date information about COVID-19 and the specific situation in your community. Students and staff should be prepared for durations that could last several days. Administrators should work with their local health authorities to determine duration of dismissals.
Talking with children about Coronavirus Disease 2019: Messages for parents, school staff, and others working with children
As public conversations around coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) increase, children may worry about themselves, their family, and friends getting ill with COVID-19. Parents, family members, school staff, and other trusted adults can play an important role in helping children make sense of what they hear in a way that is honest, accurate, and minimizes anxiety or fear. CDC has created guidance to help adults have conversations with children about COVID-19 and ways they can avoid getting and spreading the disease.
General principles for talking to children
Remain calm and reassuring.
• Remember that children will react to both what you say and how you say it. They will pick up cues from the conversations you have with them and with others.
Make yourself available to listen and to talk.
• Make time to talk. Be sure children know they can come to you when they have questions.
Avoid language that might blame others and lead to stigma.
• Remember that viruses can make anyone sick, regardless of a person’s race or ethnicity. Avoid making assumptions about who might have COVID-19.
Pay attention to what children see or hear on television, radio, or online.
• Consider reducing the amount of screen time focused on COVID-19. Too much information on one topic can lead to anxiety.
Provide information that is honest and accurate.
• Give children information that is truthful and appropriate for the age and developmental level of the child.
• Talk to children about how some stories on COVID-19 on the Internet and social media may be based on rumors and inaccurate information.
Teach children everyday actions to reduce the spread of germs.
• Remind children to stay away from people who are coughing or sneezing or sick.
• Remind them to cough or sneeze into a tissue or their elbow, then throw the tissue into the trash.
• Discuss any new actions that may be taken at school to help protect children and school staff.
• (e.g., increased handwashing, cancellation of events or activities)
• Get children into a handwashing habit.
○ Teach them to wash their hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after blowing their nose, coughing, or sneezing; going to the bathroom; and before eating or preparing food.
○ If soap and water are not available, teach them to use hand sanitizer. Hand sanitizer should contain at least 60% alcohol. Supervise young children when they use hand sanitizer to prevent swallowing alcohol, especially in schools and childcare facilities.
Facts about COVID-19 for discussions with children
Try to keep information simple and remind them that health and school officials are working hard to keep everyone safe and healthy.
What is COVID-19?
• COVID-19 is the short name for “coronavirus disease 2019.” It is a new virus. Doctors and scientists are still learning about it.
• Recently, this virus has made a lot of people sick. Scientists and doctors think that most people will be ok, especially kids, but some people might get pretty sick.
• Doctors and health experts are working hard to help people stay healthy.
What can I do so that I don’t get COVID-19?
• You can practice healthy habits at home, school, and play to help protect against the spread of COVID-19:
○ Cough or sneeze into a tissue or your elbow. If you sneeze or cough into a tissue, throw it in the trash right away.
○ Keep your hands out of your mouth, nose, and eyes. This will help keep germs out of your body.
○ Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Follow these five steps—wet, lather (make bubbles), scrub (rub together), rinse and dry. You can sing the “Happy Birthday” song twice.
○ If you don’t have soap and water, have an adult help you use a special hand cleaner.
○ Keep things clean. Older children can help adults at home and school clean the things we touch the most, like desks, doorknobs, light switches, and remote controls. (Note for adults: you can find more information about cleaning and disinfecting on CDC’s website.)
○ If you feel sick, stay home. Just like you don’t want to get other people’s germs in your body, other people don’t want to get your germs either.
What happens if you get sick with COVID-19?
• COVID-19 can look different in different people. For many people, being sick with COVID-19 would be a little bit like having the flu. People can get a fever, cough, or have a hard time taking deep breaths. Most people who have gotten COVID-19 have not gotten very sick. Only a small group of people who get it have had more serious problems. From what doctors have seen so far, most children don’t seem to get very sick. While a lot of adults get sick, most adults get better.
• If you do get sick, it doesn’t mean you have COVID-19. People can get sick from all kinds of germs. What’s important to remember is that if you do get sick, the adults at home and school will help get you any help that you need.
• If you suspect your child may have COVID-19, call the healthcare facility to let them know before you bring your child in to see them.
Resources for Institutes of Higher Education
Plan, prepare, and respond to coronavirus disease 2019
Interim Guidance for Administrators
Cleaning and Disinfection Recommendations
Interim Guidance for Administrators of US Institutions of Higher Education
Plan, Prepare and Respond to Coronavirus Disease 2019
Older adults and people who have severe underlying chronic medical conditions like heart or lung disease or diabetes seem to be at higher risk for developing more serious complications from COVID-19 illness.
Find more information here.
This interim guidance is based on what is currently known about the transmission and severity of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will update this guidance as needed and as additional information becomes available. Please check the following CDC website periodically for updated interim guidance: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html.
Health officials are taking steps to prevent community spread of COVID-19 into US communities. Institutions of higher education (IHE) can play an important role in this effort. Through collaboration and coordination with local health departments, IHE should disseminate information about the disease and its potential transmission to their students, staff, and faculty. IHE should prepare to prevent the spread of COVID-19 among their students, staff, and faculty should local health officials identify such a need.
IHE should continue to collaborate, share information, and review plans with local health officials to help protect their entire IHE community, including those who may be at risk for severe disease with COVID-19. IHE plans should be designed to minimize disruption to teaching and learning and protect students and staff from social stigma and discrimination.
Who is this guidance for?
This interim guidance is intended to help administrators of public and private institutions of higher education (IHE) prevent the spread of COVID-19 among students, staff, and faculty. IHE include a diverse set of American colleges and universities: 2- or 4-year; public, private non-profit, or private for-profit; and comprehensive, research-focused, or special mission. IHE administrators are individuals who make policies and procedures, set educational aims and standards, and direct programming of institutions of higher education. Administrators include a range of higher education leaders and managers, such as department chairs/heads, deans, presidents, and provosts.
Why is this guidance being issued?
Information provided should help IHE and their partners understand how to help prevent the transmission of COVID-19 among students, faculty, and staff. It also aims to help IHE react quickly should a case be identified. The guidance includes considerations to help administrators plan for the continuity of teaching, learning, and research if there is community spread of COVID-19 and address concerns related to COVID-19 associated stigma.
What is the role of IHE in responding to COVID-19?
COVID-19 is a respiratory illness caused by a novel (new) virus, and we are learning more about it every day. There is currently no vaccine to protect against COVID-19. At this point, the best way to prevent infection is to avoid being exposed to the virus that causes it. Stopping transmission (spread) of the virus through everyday practices is the best way to keep people healthy. Learn more about COVID-19.
IHE, working together with local health departments, have an important role in slowing the spread of disease. IHE’s efforts will help ensure students, staff, and faculty have safe and healthy environments in which to learn and work. IHE welcome students, staff, faculty, and visitors from throughout the community. All of these people may have close contact in IHE settings, often sharing spaces, equipment, and supplies.
Some individuals are experiencing stigma and discrimination in the United States related to COVID-19. This includes people of Chinese and Asian descent, as well as some returning travelers and emergency responders who may have been exposed to the virus. It is important for IHE to provide accurate and timely information about COVID-19 to students, staff, and faculty to minimize the potential for stigma on college and university campuses. It is also important to provide mental health support to promote resilience among those groups affected by stigma regarding COVID-19. CDC has information IHE can share to reduce COVID-19 associated fear and stigma.
Guidance for IHE that do not have COVID-19 identified in their community
To prepare for possible community transmission of COVID-19, the most important thing for IHE to do now is plan and prepare. As the global outbreak evolves, IHE should prepare for the possibility of community-level outbreaks. IHE want to be ready in the event COVID-19 does appear in their communities.
IHE administrators nationwide can take steps now to help stop or slow the spread of respiratory infectious diseases, including COVID-19:
• Review, update, and implement emergency operations plans (EOPs). This should be done in collaboration with local health departments, the IHE’s university system, and other relevant partners. Focus on components, or annexes, of the plans that address infectious disease outbreaks.
○ Ensure the plan is updated to include strategies to reduce the spread of a wide variety of infectious diseases. Effective strategies build on everyday policies and practices.
○ Ensure the plan emphasizes preventive actions for students and staff. Emphasize actions individuals can take including, staying home when sick, appropriately covering coughs and sneezes, cleaning frequently touched surfaces, and washing hands often.
■ CDC has workplace resources including guidance posters with messages for staff about staying home when sick and how to avoid spreading germs at work.
○ Ensure handwashing strategies include washing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or using a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available.
■ CDC offers several free handwashing resources that include health promotion materials and information on proper handwashing technique.
○ Reference key resources while reviewing, updating, and implementing the EOP.
■ Multiple federal agencies have developed resources on school planning principles and a 6-step process for creating plans to build and continually foster safe and healthy school communities before, during, and after possible emergencies. IHE may find this guidance for developing high-quality emergency operations plans helpful.
■ Readiness and Emergency Management for Schools (REMS) Technical Assistance (TA) Center’s website contains free resources, trainings, and TA for schools, including IHE, and their community partners, including many tools and resources on emergency planning and response to infectious disease outbreaks.
○ Develop information-sharing systems with partners.
■ Institutional information systems should be used for day-to-day reporting on information such as absenteeism or changes in student health center traffic to detect and respond to an outbreak.
■ Local health officials should be a key partner in information sharing.
○ Monitor and plan for absenteeism.
■ Review attendance and sick leave policies. Students, staff, and faculty should not attend class or work when sick. Allow them to stay home to care for sick household members. Make accommodations (e.g., extended due dates, electronic submission of assignments), as possible, for individuals who may be temporarily unable to attend class due to restrictions placed on them related to possible exposure to the virus that causes COVID-19.
■ Identify critical job functions and positions, and plan for alternative coverage by cross-training staff and faculty.
■ Review the usual absenteeism patterns at your institution and on your campus among students, staff, and faculty. Consider identifying and implementing processes for faculty and IHE leadership to report noticeable changes in absenteeism, even if subjective, to a designated administrator.
■ Alert local health officials about large increases in student, staff, and faculty absenteeism or substantial increases in student health center traffic due to respiratory illnesses (like the common cold or the “flu,” which have symptoms similar to symptoms of COVID-19).
■ Determine what level of absenteeism will disrupt continuity of teaching, learning, and research.
○ Establish procedures for students, staff, and faculty who are sick (with any illness) on campus.
■ Establish procedures to ensure students, staff, and faculty who become sick (with any illness) on campus or arrive on campus sick are sent to their place of residence as soon as possible.
■ Keep sick individuals separate from well individuals until they can leave.
■ Sick residents of on-campus housing in communities with no identified COVID-19 and who are not believed to have been exposed to COVID-19 should avoid contact with well individuals while sick.
○ Ensure IHE health clinics prepare for COVID-19.
■ Review CDC guidance to help healthcare facilities prepare for COVID-19. Guidance includes steps to take now and strategies for preparing for community transmission of COVID-19.
○ Perform routine environmental cleaning.
■ Routinely clean frequently touched surfaces (e.g., doorknobs, light switches, countertops) with the cleaners typically used. Use all cleaning products according to the directions on the label.
■ Provide disposable wipes so that commonly used surfaces (e.g., keyboards, desks, remote controls) can be wiped down by students, staff, and faculty before each use.
○ Create plans to communicate accurate and timely information to the IHE community.
■ Include strategies for sharing information with staff, students, and faculty without increasing fear and stigma. Keeping the community informed with accurate information can counter the spread of misinformation and reduce the potential for fear and stigma.
■ Include strategies to communicate steps being taken by the IHE to prepare and how additional information will be shared.
■ Include strategies to communicate changes to usual campus schedules or functions.
■ Include strategies to communicate information IHE community members can use to protect themselves from infectious disease, including COVID-19.
○ Review CDC’s guidance for businesses and employers.
■ Review this CDC guidance to identify any additional strategies the IHE can use, given its role as an employer.
IHE administrators can also support their IHE community by sharing COVID-19 informational resources with students, staff, and faculty. Coordinate with local health officials to determine what type of information is best to share with the IHE community. Consider sharing the following fact sheets and information sources:
• Information about COVID-19 available through state and local health departments
• General fact sheets to help students, staff, faculty, and their families understand COVID-19 and the steps they can take to protect themselves:
○ What you need to know about coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)
○ What to do if you are sick with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)
○ Stop the spread of germs – help prevent the spread of respiratory viruses like COVID-19
○ Share facts about COVID-19 to help prevent stigma
• CDC information for students, staff, and faculty who have recently traveled back to the United States from areas where CDC has identified community spread of coronavirus:
○ A list of countries where community spread of COVID-19 is occurring can be found on the CDC webpage: Coronavirus Disease 2019 Information for Travel
For guidance for students, staff, or faculty who plan to travel, or have recently traveled, to areas with community spread of COVID-19, refer to CDC’s FAQ for travelers and COVID-19 travel website. For specific guidance on foreign exchange and study abroad programs, see CDC’s guidance on student foreign travel for IHE.
Guidance for IHE with identified cases of COVID-19 in their community
If local health officials report that there are cases of COVID-19 in the community, IHE need to take additional steps in response to prevent further spread of the disease. The first step for IHE in this situation is to talk with local health officials.
Determine if, when, and for how long the IHE may need to suspend classes and postpone or cancel events and activities.
Temporarily suspending classes is a strategy to stop or slow the further spread of COVID-19 in communities. When classes are suspended, IHE may stay open for staff or faculty (unless ill) while students temporarily stop attending in-person classes. Keeping the IHE facilities open a) allows faculty to develop and deliver lessons and materials electronically, thus maintaining continuity of teaching and learning; and b) allows other staff members to continue to provide services and help with additional response efforts.
IHE administrators should work in close collaboration with local health officials and the IHE’s university system to make class suspension and event and activity cancellation decisions. IHE are not expected to make decisions about suspending classes or canceling events on their own. IHE can seek specific guidance from local health officials to determine if, when, and for how long to take these steps. Class suspension and event and activity (e.g., on-campus sporting, theater, and music events) cancellation may be recommended for at least 14 days, or possibly longer if advised by local health officials. The nature of these actions (e.g., geographic scope, duration) may change as the local outbreak situation evolves.
If a student, staff, or faculty member attended class or was active on campus prior to being confirmed as a COVID-19 case:
• Local health officials may recommend temporary class suspension and event or activity cancellation. Individuals may be considered active on campus if they had attended class, work, work-study, or some other type of gathering or event (e.g., student meetings, recreational activities) on campus. Local health officials’ recommendations for the scope (e.g., all campuses in a university system or only select campuses) and duration of school dismissals will be made on a case-by-case basis using the most up-to-date information about COVID-19 and the specific cases in the impacted community.
• IHE should work with the local health department and other relevant leadership to communicate the possible COVID-19 exposure. This communication to the IHE community should align with the communication plan in the IHE’s emergency operations plan. In such a circumstance, it is critical to maintain confidentiality of the student, staff member, or faculty member as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act.
• IHE administrators should seek guidance from local health officials to determine when students, staff, and faculty should return to campus and what additional steps are needed for the IHE community. In addition, students, staff, and faculty who are well but are taking care of or share a home with someone with a case of COVID-19 should follow instructions from local health officials to determine when to return to campus.
If classes are suspended, IHE can consider the following steps:
• Temporarily cancel extracurricular group activities and large events.
○ Cancel or postpone events such as club meetings, performances, social events, athletic team practices, and sporting events.
• Discourage students, staff, and faculty from gathering or socializing anywhere.
○ Discourage gatherings at places like at a friend’s house, a favorite restaurant, or a local coffee shop.
• Ensure continuity of education and research.
○ Review continuity plans, including plans for the continuity of teaching, learning, and research. Implement e-learning plans and distance learning options as feasible and appropriate.
○ Ensure continuity plans address how to temporarily postpone, limit, or adapt research-related activities (e.g., study recruitment or participation, access to labs) in a manner that protects the safety of researchers, participants, facilities, and equipment.
○ Consider the following approaches:
■ Use of existing infrastructure and services (e.g., Blackboard, Skype, Zoom) to support efficient transition of classes from in-person to distance-based formats. This may include using strategies such as faculty check-ins, recorded class meetings or lectures, and live class meetings.
■ Other student support services such as online library services, print materials available online, phone- or internet-based counseling support, or study groups enabled through digital media.
○ IHE will need to determine, in consultation with their university system:
■ How to convert face-to-face lessons into online lessons and how to train faculty to do so.
■ How to triage technical issues if faced with limited IT support and staff
■ How to deal with the potential lack of students’ access to computers and the Internet at home or in temporary housing.
○ Ensure continuity of safe housing.
■ Work in close collaboration with local health officials to make all decisions related to on-campus housing.
■ If cases of COVID-19 have not been identified among residents of on-campus community housing, students may be allowed to remain in on-campus housing. In this situation, educate housing residents on the precautions they should take to help protect themselves when there is community spread of COVID-19. Residents should follow any more specific recommendations provided by local health officials.
■ If cases of COVID-19 have been identified among residents of on-campus community housing, work with local health officials to take additional precautions. Individuals with COVID-19 may need to be moved to temporary housing locations. These individuals will need to self-isolate and monitor for worsening symptoms according to the guidance of local health officials. Close contacts of the individuals with COVID-19 may also need temporary housing so that they can self-quarantine and monitor for symptoms. Consult with local health officials to determine when, how, and where to move ill residents. Information on providing home care to individuals with COVID-19 who do not require hospitalization is available on CDC’s website.
■ Residents identified with COVID-19 or identified as contacts of individuals with COVID-19 should not necessarily be sent to their permanent homes off-campus. Sending sick residents to their permanent homes could be unfeasible, pose logistical challenges, or pose risk of transmission to others either on the way to the home or once there. IHEs should work with local health officials to determine appropriate housing for the period in which they need to self-isolate and monitor for symptoms or worsening symptoms.
■ Remember to consider all types of IHE-affiliated housing when making response plans. Distinct housing types (e.g., residence halls, apartments, fraternity and sorority houses) and situations (e.g., housing owned and run by the IHE, housing on the IHE campus but not run by the IHE) may require tailored approaches.
■ Ensure any staff remaining to support students in on-campus housing receive necessary training to protect themselves and residents from spread of COVID-19. Staff should also be trained on how to respond if a resident becomes ill.
○ Ensure continuity of meal programs.
■ Consult with local health officials to determine strategies for modifying food service offerings to the IHE community.
■ Consider ways to distribute food to students, particularly those who may remain on campus, while classes or other events and activities are dismissed.
■ If there is community spread of COVID-19, design strategies to avoid food distribution in settings where people might gather in a group or crowd. Consider options such as “grab-and-go” bagged lunches or meal delivery.
■ Consider if and how existing dining services should be scaled back or adapted. For example, an IHE may close some of or all its cafeterias/cafes to discourage students, staff, and faculty from gathering in group settings.
■ If on-campus housing residents have been relocated to temporary alternative housing, consider how meals can be provided to these students. Work with local health officials to determine strategies for providing meals to residents with COVID-19 or who are being monitored because of contact with persons with COVID-19.
■ Ensure any staff remaining on campus to support food services receive necessary training. to protect themselves and those they serve from spread of COVID-19.
○ Consider if and when to stop, scale back, or modify other support services on campus.
■ Consider alternatives for providing students with essential medical and social services. Identify ways to ensure these services are provided while classes are dismissed or students are in temporary housing.
■ Identify other types of services provided to students, staff, and faculty (e.g., library services, cleaning services). Consider ways to adapt these to minimize risk of COVID-19 transmission while maintaining services deemed necessary.
■ Help counter stigma and promote resilience on campus.
■ Share facts about COVID-19 through trusted dissemination channels to counter the spread of misinformation and mitigate fear.
○ Speak out against negative behaviors, including negative statements on social media about groups of people.
○ Develop plans to support students, staff, and faculty who may feel overwhelmed by COVID-19 and associated events on campus.
■ Ensure continuity of mental health services, such as offering remote counseling. Encourage students to call 911 or the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255) if they are feeling overwhelmed with emotions such as sadness, depression, anxiety, or feel like wanting to harm themselves or others
Guidance for Institutions of Higher Education with Students Participating in International Travel or Study Abroad Programs
This guidance is for Institutes of Higher Education with students participating in international travel or study abroad programs.
Consider postponing or canceling student international travel programs
Given the global outbreak of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) institutes of higher education (IHE) should consider postponing or canceling upcoming student international travel programs. IHE should consider asking current program participants to return to their home country. Those overseeing student international travel programs should be aware that students may face unpredictable circumstances, travel restrictions, challenges in returning home or accessing health care while abroad.
IHEs should consider asking students participating in study abroad programs to return to the United States. IHEs should work with state and local public health officials to determine the best approach for when and how (for example, chartered transportation for countries or areas assessed as high-risk for exposure) their study abroad students might return. All plans for returning study abroad students should be designed to protect participants from stigma and discrimination.
The COVID-19 situation is dynamic. Given the speed of spread and the number of countries experiencing community transmission, IHEs should evaluate the risks associated with choosing to maintain programs abroad and take the appropriate proactive measures. IHEs that continue to maintain programs abroad should monitor www.cdc.gov/COVID-19 for additional information.
Resources for Businesses and Employers
Plan, prepare, and respond to coronavirus disease 2019
Interim Guidance for Businesses and Employers
Cleaning and Disinfection Recommendations
Interim Guidance for Businesses and Employers
Plan, Prepare and Respond to Coronavirus Disease 2019
Older adults and people who have severe underlying chronic medical conditions like heart or lung disease or diabetes seem to be at higher risk for developing more serious complications from COVID-19 illness.
Find more information here.
This interim guidance is based on what is currently known about the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will update this interim guidance as needed and as additional information becomes available.
CDC is working across the Department of Health and Human Services and across the U.S. government in the public health response to COVID-19. Much is unknown about how the virus that causes COVID-19 spreads. Current knowledge is largely based on what is known about similar coronaviruses.
Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that are common in humans 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-CoV and SARS-CoV. 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 influenza, are currently widespread in many US communities.
CDC Industry Guidance
• Resources for Airlines
• Resources for the Ship Industry
OSHA/HHS Guidance
• Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19
CDC Public and Private Partner Call for COVID-19 — March 4, 2020
Dr. Jay Butler, CDC’s Deputy Director for Infectious Diseases and Senior Response Official for the COVID-19 response provided a situational update for CDC partners, including members of the private sector, public health organizations, universities, and clinical societies.
The following interim guidance may help prevent workplace exposures to acute respiratory illnesses, including COVID-19, in non-healthcare settings. The guidance also provides planning considerations if there are more widespread, community outbreaks of COVID-19.
To prevent stigma and discrimination in the workplace, use only the guidance described below to determine risk of COVID-19. Do not make determinations of risk based on race or country of origin, and be sure to maintain confidentiality of people with confirmed COVID-19. There is much more to learn about the transmissibility, severity, and other features of COVID-19 and investigations are ongoing. Updates are available on CDC’s web page at www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/covid19.
Recommended strategies for employers to use now:
• Actively encourage sick employees to stay home:
○ Employees who have symptoms of acute respiratory illness are recommended to stay home and not come to work until they are free of fever (100.4° F [37.8° C] or greater using an oral thermometer), signs of a fever, and any other symptoms for at least 24 hours, without the use of fever-reducing or other symptom-altering medicines (e.g. cough suppressants). Employees should notify their supervisor and stay home if they are sick.
○ Ensure that your sick leave policies are flexible and consistent with public health guidance and that employees are aware of these policies.
○ Talk with companies that provide your business with contract or temporary employees about the importance of sick employees staying home and encourage them to develop non-punitive leave policies.
○ Do not require a healthcare provider’s note for employees who are sick with acute respiratory illness to validate their illness or to return to work, as healthcare provider offices and medical facilities may be extremely busy and not able to provide such documentation in a timely way.
○ Employers should maintain flexible policies that permit employees to stay home to care for a sick family member. Employers should be aware that more employees may need to stay at home to care for sick children or other sick family members than is usual.
• Separate sick employees:
○ CDC recommends that employees who appear to have acute respiratory illness symptoms (i.e. cough, shortness of breath) upon arrival to work or become sick during the day should be separated from other employees and be sent home immediately. Sick employees should cover their noses and mouths with a tissue when coughing or sneezing (or an elbow or shoulder if no tissue is available).
• Emphasize staying home when sick, respiratory etiquette and hand hygiene by all employees:
○ Place posters that encourage staying home when sick, cough and sneeze etiquette, and hand hygiene at the entrance to your workplace and in other workplace areas where they are likely to be seen.
○ Provide tissues and no-touch disposal receptacles for use by employees.
○ Instruct employees to clean their hands often with an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60-95% alcohol, or wash their hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Soap and water should be used preferentially if hands are visibly dirty.
○ Provide soap and water and alcohol-based hand rubs in the workplace. Ensure that adequate supplies are maintained. Place hand rubs in multiple locations or in conference rooms to encourage hand hygiene.
○ Visit the coughing and sneezing etiquette and clean hands webpage for more information.
• Perform routine environmental cleaning:
○ Routinely clean all frequently touched surfaces in the workplace, such as workstations, countertops, and doorknobs. Use the cleaning agents that are usually used in these areas and follow the directions on the label.
○ No additional disinfection beyond routine cleaning is recommended at this time.
○ Provide disposable wipes so that commonly used surfaces (for example, doorknobs, keyboards, remote controls, desks) can be wiped down by employees before each use.
• Advise employees before traveling to take certain steps:
○ Check the CDC’s Traveler’s Health Notices for the latest guidance and recommendations for each country to which you will travel. Specific travel information for travelers going to and returning from China, and information for aircrew, can be found at on the CDC website.
○ Advise employees to check themselves for symptoms of acute respiratory illness before starting travel and notify their supervisor and stay home if they are sick.
○ Ensure employees who become sick while traveling or on temporary assignment understand that they should notify their supervisor and should promptly call a healthcare provider for advice if needed.
○ If outside the United States, sick employees should follow your company’s policy for obtaining medical care or contact a healthcare provider or overseas medical assistance company to assist them with finding an appropriate healthcare provider in that country. A U.S. consular officer can help locate healthcare services. However, U.S. embassies, consulates, and military facilities do not have the legal authority, capability, and resources to evacuate or give medicines, vaccines, or medical care to private U.S. citizens overseas.
• Additional Measures in Response to Currently Occurring Sporadic Importations of the COVID-19:
○ Employees who are well but who have a sick family member at home with COVID-19 should notify their supervisor and refer to CDC guidance for how to conduct a risk assessment of their potential exposure.
○ If an employee is confirmed to have COVID-19, employers should inform fellow employees of their possible exposure to COVID-19 in the workplace but maintain confidentiality as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Employees exposed to a co-worker with confirmed COVID-19 should refer to CDC guidance for how to conduct a risk assessment of their potential exposure.
Planning for a Possible COVID-19 Outbreak in the US
The severity of illness or how many people will fall ill from COVID-19 is unknown at this time. If there is evidence of a COVID-19 outbreak in the U.S., employers should plan to be able to respond in a flexible way to varying levels of severity and be prepared to refine their business response plans as needed. For the general American public, such as workers in non-healthcare settings and where it is unlikely that work tasks create an increased risk of exposures to COVID-19, the immediate health risk from COVID-19 is considered low. The CDC and its partners will continue to monitor national and international data on the severity of illness caused by COVID-19, will disseminate the results of these ongoing surveillance assessments, and will make additional recommendations as needed.
Planning Considerations
All employers need to consider how best to decrease the spread of acute respiratory illness and lower the impact of COVID-19 in their workplace in the event of an outbreak in the US. They should identify and communicate their objectives, which may include one or more of the following: (a) reducing transmission among staff, (b) protecting people who are at higher risk for adverse health complications, (c) maintaining business operations, and (d) minimizing adverse effects on other entities in their supply chains. Some of the key considerations when making decisions on appropriate responses are:
• Disease severity (i.e., number of people who are sick, hospitalization and death rates) in the community where the business is located;
• Impact of disease on employees that are vulnerable and may be at higher risk for COVID-19 adverse health complications. Inform employees that some people may be at higher risk for severe illness, such as older adults and those with chronic medical conditions.
• Prepare for possible increased numbers of employee absences due to illness in employees and their family members, dismissals of early childhood programs and K-12 schools due to high levels of absenteeism or illness:
○ Employers should plan to monitor and respond to absenteeism at the workplace. Implement plans to continue your essential business functions in case you experience higher than usual absenteeism.
○ Cross-train personnel to perform essential functions so that the workplace is able to operate even if key staff members are absent.
○ Assess your essential functions and the reliance that others and the community have on your services or products. Be prepared to change your business practices if needed to maintain critical operations (e.g., identify alternative suppliers, prioritize customers, or temporarily suspend some of your operations if needed).
• Employers with more than one business location are encouraged to provide local managers with the authority to take appropriate actions outlined in their business infectious disease outbreak response plan based on the condition in each locality.
• Coordination with state and local health officials is strongly encouraged for all businesses so that timely and accurate information can guide appropriate responses in each location where their operations reside. Since the intensity of an outbreak may differ according to geographic location, local health officials will be issuing guidance specific to their communities.
Important Considerations for Creating an Infectious Disease Outbreak Response Plan
All employers should be ready to implement strategies to protect their workforce from COVID-19 while ensuring continuity of operations. During a COVID-19 outbreak, all sick employees should stay home and away from the workplace, respiratory etiquette and hand hygiene should be encouraged, and routine cleaning of commonly touched surfaces should be performed regularly.
Employers should:
• Ensure the plan is flexible and involve your employees in developing and reviewing your plan.
• Conduct a focused discussion or exercise using your plan, to find out ahead of time whether the plan has gaps or problems that need to be corrected.
• Share your plan with employees and explain what human resources policies, workplace and leave flexibilities, and pay and benefits will be available to them.
• Share best practices with other businesses in your communities (especially those in your supply chain), chambers of commerce, and associations to improve community response efforts.
Recommendations for an Infectious Disease Outbreak Response Plan:
• Identify possible work-related exposure and health risks to your employees. OSHA has more information on how to protect workers from potential exposures to COVID-19.
• Review human resources policies to make sure that policies and practices are consistent with public health recommendations and are consistent with existing state and federal workplace laws (for more information on employer responsibilities, visit the Department of Labor’s and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s websites).
• Explore whether you can establish policies and practices, such as flexible worksites (e.g., telecommuting) and flexible work hours (e.g., staggered shifts), to increase the physical distance among employees and between employees and others if state and local health authorities recommend the use of social distancing strategies. For employees who are able to telework, supervisors should encourage employees to telework instead of coming into the workplace until symptoms are completely resolved. Ensure that you have the information technology and infrastructure needed to support multiple employees who may be able to work from home.
• Identify essential business functions, essential jobs or roles, and critical elements within your supply chains (e.g., raw materials, suppliers, subcontractor services/products, and logistics) required to maintain business operations. Plan for how your business will operate if there is increasing absenteeism or these supply chains are interrupted.
• Set up authorities, triggers, and procedures for activating and terminating the company’s infectious disease outbreak response plan, altering business operations (e.g., possibly changing or closing operations in affected areas), and transferring business knowledge to key employees. Work closely with your local health officials to identify these triggers.
• Plan to minimize exposure between employees and also between employees and the public, if public health officials call for social distancing.
• Establish a process to communicate information to employees and business partners on your infectious disease outbreak response plans and latest COVID-19 information. Anticipate employee fear, anxiety, rumors, and misinformation, and plan communications accordingly.
• In some communities, early childhood programs and K-12 schools may be dismissed, particularly if COVID-19 worsens. Determine how you will operate if absenteeism spikes from increases in sick employees, those who stay home to care for sick family members, and those who must stay home to watch their children if dismissed from school. Businesses and other employers should prepare to institute flexible workplace and leave policies for these employees.
• Local conditions will influence the decisions that public health officials make regarding community-level strategies; employers should take the time now to learn about plans in place in each community where they have a business.
• If there is evidence of a COVID-19 outbreak in the US, consider canceling non-essential business travel to additional countries per travel guidance on the CDC website.
○ Travel restrictions may be enacted by other countries which may limit the ability of employees to return home if they become sick while on travel status.
○ Consider cancelling large work-related meetings or events.
• Engagestate and local health departments to confirm channels of communication and methods for dissemination of local outbreak information. When working with your local health department check their available hours.
Resources for Community- and Faith-Based Leaders
Plan, prepare, and respond to coronavirus disease 2019
Interim Guidance for Community and Faith Leaders
Cleaning and Disinfection Recommendations
Checklist for Community and Faith Leaders
Get Your Community- and Faith-Based Organizations Ready for Coronavirus Disease 2019
Interim Guidance
Older adults and people who have severe underlying chronic medical conditions like heart or lung disease or diabetes seem to be at higher risk for developing more serious complications from COVID-19 illness.
People who are at higher risk are encouraged to avoid crowds as much as possible. Find more information here.
This interim guidance is based on what is currently known about the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will update this interim guidance as needed and as additional information becomes available.
This interim guidance is to help community- and faith-based organizations (CFBOs), whose members may include vulnerable populations, plan for community transmission of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in the United States. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) encourages CFBOs to prepare for the possibility of a COVID-19 outbreak in their local communities.
COVID-19 is caused by a new virus. There is much to learn about its transmissibility, severity, and other features of the disease. The Before, During, and After sections of this guidance offer suggested strategies to help CFBOs plan, prepare, and respond to this emerging public health threat.
Before a COVID-19 outbreak occurs in your community: Plan
A COVID-19 outbreak could last for weeks or even months in your community. Depending on the severity of the outbreak, public health officials may recommend community actions to reduce spread of COVID-19. Local public health officials may make recommendations appropriate to your local situation, such as flexible sick-leave and telework policies and temporary school dismissals.
Establish ongoing communication with your local public health department to facilitate access to relevant information before and during an outbreak.
Having a good contingency plan in place and developing flexible policies and procedures to accommodate public health recommendations can help reduce infection. During your planning process, remember to engage key partners across both public and private sectors, such as local businesses, schools, other community- and faith-based organizations, and community leaders. Also, the specific details of your plan should be based on the extent of the outbreak and the size of your organization and workforce, complexity of your day-to-day operations, and type of on-site and off-site services your organization provides to vulnerable populations.
Connect to community-wide planning.
Find out if your local government has a private-public emergency planning group that meets regularly. Building strong alliances before an outbreak may provide your organization with the support and resources needed to respond effectively. Also, in recognition of the “whole community” approach to emergency planning and management, your input as community leaders and stakeholders helps ensure the completeness and representativeness of your local government’s emergency operations plan.
Update your existing emergency operations plan.
Meet with your emergency operations coordinator or planning team to update your emergency operations plan. If your organization does not have a person or team in place, determine who will be responsible for coordinating your organization’s emergency operations plan. Review all aspects of your organization, such as personnel, systems, services, and other resources. Prepare for key prevention strategies outlined in this guidance. Update your plan based on various scenarios your organization may face during a COVID-19 outbreak in your community.
Consider the needs of older adults, persons with disabilities, and other individuals with access and functional needs in your response plan. Helpful resources are available online, such as the Capacity-Building Toolkit for Including Aging and Disability Networks in Emergency Planning.
Establish relationships with key community partners and stakeholders. When forming key relationships, include the local public health department, other community and faith leaders, local businesses, and educational institutions. Collaborate and coordinate with them on broader planning efforts. Clearly identify each partner’s role, responsibilities, and decision-making authority. Review the COVID-19 plan for your community and participate in community-wide emergency preparedness activities.
Identify services which might be limited or temporarily discontinued during an outbreak. Find alternative solutions that will ensure continuity for your community, especially for vulnerable populations served by your organization.
Address key prevention strategies in your emergency operations plan.
Promote the practice of everyday preventive actions. Use health messages and materials developed by credible public health sources, such as your local and state public health departments or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Read more about everyday preventive actions.
Provide COVID-19 prevention supplies at your organization. Have supplies on hand for staff, volunteers, and those you serve, such as soap, hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol, tissues, trash baskets, and disposable facemasks. Plan to have extra supplies on hand during a COVID-19 outbreak.
Note: Disposable facemasks should be kept on-site and used only when someone becomes sick at your organization. Those who become sick should be immediately isolated from those who are not sick and given a clean disposable facemask to wear until they can leave.
Plan for staff absences. Develop flexible attendance and sick-leave policies. Staff (and volunteers) may need to stay home when they are sick, caring for a sick household member, or caring for their children in the event of school dismissals. Identify critical job functions and positions, and plan for alternative coverage by cross-training staff members.
Note: Use a process similar to when you cover for and staff workers during the holidays.
Develop a method for monitoring and tracking COVID-19-related staff absences. Understand the usual absenteeism patterns at your organization. Determine what level of absenteeism will disrupt day-to-day operations. If staff absenteeism increases to disruptive levels, some organizations may need to consider temporarily reducing on-site operations and services.
Identify space that can be used to separate sick people (if possible). Designate a space for people who may become sick while at work and cannot leave immediately. If possible, designate a nearby separate bathroom just for sick people. Develop a plan for cleaning the room daily.
Plan ways to limit face-to-face contact between people at your organization. Several ways to do this include offering workers the option to telework, replacing in-person meetings in the workplace with video or telephone conferences, and postponing non-essential meetings and travel.
Review your process for planning events, programs, and services. Identify actions to take if you need to temporarily postpone or cancel events, programs, and services. Consider limiting access to your organization by non-essential visitors.
Plan ways to continue essential services if on-site operations are scaled back temporarily. Provide web- and mobile-based communications and services, if possible. Increase the use of email, conference calls, video conferencing, and web-based seminars.
Communicate about COVID-19 and everyday preventive actions.
Update your emergency communication plan for distributing timely and accurate information. Identify everyone in your chain of communication (for example, staff, volunteers, and key community partners and stakeholders) and establish systems for sharing information with them. Maintain up-to-date contact information for everyone in the chain of communication. Identify platforms, such as a hotline, automated text messaging, and a website to help disseminate information to those inside and outside your organization.
Identify and address potential language, cultural, and disability barriers associated with communicating COVID-19 information to workers and those you serve. Learn more about reaching people of diverse languages and cultures. You also can learn more about communicating to workers in a crisis.
Help counter stigma and discrimination in your community. Engage with stigmatized groups and speak out against negative behaviors.
Get input and support for your emergency operations and communication plans.
Share your plans with staff, volunteers, and key community partners and stakeholders. Develop training and educational materials about the plans for staff and volunteers.
During a COVID-19 outbreak in your community: Act
Establish a “buddy” system to ensure vulnerable and hard-to-reach community members stay connected to COVID-19-related news and services.
It is important that your emergency operations planning team meets regularly (even if by video or telephone conferencing, rather than in-person) during an outbreak to accurately assess, manage, and communicate possible risks. Special consideration should be given to communicating risk to vulnerable populations in your community, including older adults and others with access and functional needs. Encourage those you serve to seek out a “buddy” who will check on and help care for them if they get sick. Early action to slow the spread of COVID-19 will help keep staff and volunteers healthy and help your organization maintain normal operations.
Put your emergency operations and communication plans into action.
Stay informed about the local COVID-19 situation. Get up-to-date information about local COVID-19 activity from public health officials. Be aware of temporary school dismissals in your area because these may affect your staff and volunteers.
Note: Early in the outbreak, local public health officials may recommend schools be dismissed temporarily to allow time to gather information about how fast and severe COVID-19 is spreading in your community. Temporarily dismissing schools also can help slow the spread of COVID-19.
Communicate frequently with those in your communication chain. Update key community partners and stakeholders regularly. Share information about how your organization is responding to the outbreak.
Provide information that explains why and when on-site operations and services may be temporarily scaled back or your organization may be closed to non-essential visitors. Some CFBO administrators and leaders may choose to alter normal operations due to high staff absenteeism. Meet with your emergency operations coordinator or planning team to discuss plans for modifying, scaling back, postponing, or canceling large group activities and events (e.g., religious services and community outreach programs), especially for high-risk groups like the elderly. Discuss how these actions will impact your organization and those you serve.
Distribute health messages and materials to staff, volunteers, and the community. Continue to promote everyday preventive actions (e.g., stay home when sick, cover coughs and sneezes, and wash hands often). Offer resources that provide reliable COVID-19 information. Address the potential fear and anxiety that may result from rumors or misinformation.
Note: Messages, materials, and resources should be culturally appropriate.
Provide COVID-prevention supplies to staff, volunteers, and those you serve. Ensure that your organization has supplies, such as hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol, tissues, trash baskets, and disposable facemasks for staff, volunteers, and those you serve. Clean frequently touched surfaces and objects daily (e.g., tables, countertops, light switches, doorknobs, and cabinet handles) using a regular detergent and water.
• If surfaces are dirty, they should be cleaned using a detergent and water prior to disinfection. For disinfection, a list of products with Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-approved emerging viral pathogens claims, maintained by the American Chemistry Council Center for Biocide Chemistries (CBC), is available at Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Fighting Products. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for all cleaning and disinfection products.
Educate staff and volunteers about how to keep themselves healthy when accompanying someone to a destination away from your facility. For example, teach staff and volunteers how to keep themselves healthy while traveling with a client to a medical appointment, worship service, or government office by having tissues and alcohol-based hand sanitizer on hand.
Track staff absenteeism related to COVID-19 symptoms. Work with local public health officials to determine when to begin tracking and reporting COVID-19-related absenteeism. They may ask you to notify them if absenteeism is higher than normal for your organization. Learn more about COVID-19 symptoms.
Address the concerns of staff and volunteers who are at high risk for COVID-19 complications. Encourage staff and volunteers to consult with their healthcare provider about how to protect their health if they are at high risk for COVID-19 complications. Be prepared to address the health concerns and needs of those who are at high risk, such as older adults and those with underlying health conditions (for example, by allowing them to telework, if possible).
Implement flexible attendance and sick-leave policies (if possible) due to COVID-19. Ask staff (and volunteers) to stay home if they are sick to lower their chances of spreading illness to others, or if caring for a sick household member. Provide instructions about how and when to safely return to work.
Separate those who become sick at your organization from those who are well. Send sick staff members and volunteers home immediately. If someone you serve becomes sick at your organization, separate them from others (particularly from those who are at high risk for COVID-19 complications) as soon as possible. Provide them with clean disposable facemasks to wear until they can leave. Work with the local public health department and nearby hospitals to care for those who become sick. If needed, arrange transportation for staff and others who need emergency care. Read more about caring for those sick with COVID-19.
Note: Providing those who are sick with disposable facemasks does not replace the need to ask them to go home and stay home when they are sick. Facemasks may be in short supply during a COVID-19 outbreak.
After a COVID-19 outbreak has ended in your community: Follow Up
Establish criteria and procedures for when and how response actions will be phased out.
Remember, a COVID-19 outbreak can last for a long time. When public health officials determine that the outbreak has ended, work with them to identify criteria for phasing out and ending your organization’s COVID-19 actions. The criteria should be based on reduced severity or a slowing of the outbreak in your local area.
Evaluate the effectiveness of your emergency operations and communication plans.
Discuss and note lessons learned. Gather feedback from staff, volunteers, those you serve, and key community partners and stakeholders to improve your plans. Identify any gaps in your plans and any needs you may have for additional resources.
Maintain and expand your emergency planning team. Look for ways to expand community partnerships. Identify agencies or partners needed to help you prepare for other emergencies in the future and make an effort to add them to your planning team.
An infectious disease outbreak can occur at any time and having a plan in place is essential. Your contingency or emergency operations plan for COVID-19 will help protect the health and safety of your staff, volunteers, and those you serve, while preserving normal operations. Continue to coordinate your planning activities with local public health officials and key community partners and stakeholders to help maintain essential services.
Checklist for Community and Faith Leaders
Community- and faith-based organizations are encouraged to prepare for the possibility of a coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak in their communities. Use this checklist to protect the health of those you serve and staff in your care.
Plan and Prepare
Update your emergency operations plan with the help of your local public health department, emergency operations coordinator or planning team, and other relevant partners to include COVID-19 planning.
Identify space that can be used to separate sick people if needed.
Develop an emergency communication plan for distributing timely and accurate information to workers and those you serve.
Identify actions to take if you need to temporarily postpone or cancel events, programs, and services, especially for groups at greater risk such as older adults or people with chronic health conditions.
Promote the practice of everyday preventative actions.
• Frequently wash hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not readily available use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
• Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or use the inside of your elbow.
• Clean frequently touched objects and surfaces.
• Stay home when sick.
Provide COVID-19 prevention supplies at your organization (e.g., soap, hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol, tissues, trash baskets, and a couple of disposable facemasks, just in case someone becomes sick during an event).
Plan for staff absences by developing flexible attendance and sick-leave policies, plan for alternative coverage, and monitor and track COVID-19 related staff absences.
Engage with stigmatized groups and speak out against negative behaviors to help counter stigma and discrimination.
Take Action
If there is COVID-19 in your community:
Stay informed about local COVID-19 information and updates.
Put your emergency operations and communication plans into action.
Communicate with your community members if events and services are changed, postponed, or cancelled.
Emphasize everyday preventive actions through intensified communications with employees and visitors to your organization.
• Stay home when sick.
• Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or use the inside of your elbow.
• Wash hands often.
• Limit close contact with others as much as possible (about 6 feet).
During an event, if someone becomes sick separate them into an isolated room and ask them to leave as soon as possible.
Environmental Cleaning and Disinfection Recommendations
Background
There is much to learn about the novel coronavirus that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Based on what is currently known about the virus, spread from person-to-person happens most frequently among close contacts (within about 6 feet). This type of transmission occurs via respiratory droplets. Transmission of novel coronavirus to persons from surfaces contaminated with the virus has not been documented. Transmission of coronavirus in general occurs much more commonly through respiratory droplets than through fomites. Current evidence suggests that novel coronavirus may remain viable for hours to days on surfaces made from a variety of materials. Cleaning of visibly dirty surfaces followed by disinfection is a best practice measure for prevention of COVID-19 and other viral respiratory illnesses in community settings.
Purpose
This guidance provides recommendations on the cleaning and disinfection of rooms or areas of those with suspected or with confirmed COVID-19 have visited. It is aimed at limiting the survival of novel coronavirus in key environments. These recommendations will be updated if additional information becomes available.
These guidelines are focused on community, non-healthcare facilities (e.g., schools, institutions of higher education, offices, daycare centers, businesses, community centers) that do and do not house persons overnight. These guidelines are not meant for cleaning staff in healthcare facilities or repatriation sites, households, or for others for whom specific guidance already exists.
Definitions
• Community facilities (e.g., schools, daycares centers, businesses) comprise most non-healthcare settings that are visited by the general public outside of a household.
• Cleaning refers to the removal of dirt and impurities, including germs, from surfaces. Cleaning alone does not kill germs. But by removing the germs, it decreases their number and therefore any risk of spreading infection.
• Disinfecting works by using chemicals to kill germs on surfaces. This process does not necessarily clean dirty surfaces or remove germs. But killing germs remaining on a surface after cleaning further reduces any risk of spreading infection.
Cleaning and Disinfection After Persons Suspected/Confirmed to Have COVID-19 Have Been in the Facility
Timing and location of cleaning and disinfection of surfaces
• At a school, daycare center, office, or other facility that does not house people overnight:
○ It is recommended to close off areas used by the ill persons and wait as long as practical before beginning cleaning and disinfection to minimize potential for exposure to respiratory droplets. Open outside doors and windows to increase air circulation in the area. If possible, wait up to 24 hours before beginning cleaning and disinfection.
○ Cleaning staff should clean and disinfect all areas (e.g., offices, bathrooms, and common areas) used by the ill persons, focusing especially on frequently touched surfaces.
• At a facility that does house people overnight:
○ Follow Interim Guidance for US Institutions of Higher Education on working with state and local health officials to isolate ill persons and provide temporary housing as needed.
○ It is recommended to close off areas used by the ill persons and wait as long as practical before beginning cleaning and disinfection to minimize potential for exposure to respiratory droplets. Open outside doors and windows to increase air circulation in the area. If possible, wait up to 24 hours before beginning cleaning and disinfection.
○ In areas where ill persons are being housed in isolation, follow Interim Guidance for Environmental Cleaning and Disinfection for U.S. Households with Suspected or Confirmed Coronavirus Disease 2019. This includes focusing on cleaning and disinfecting common areas where staff/others providing services may come into contact with ill persons, but reducing cleaning and disinfection of bedrooms/bathrooms used by ill persons to as needed.
○ In areas where ill persons have visited or used, continue routine cleaning and disinfection as in this guidance.
How to Clean and Disinfect
Surfaces
• If surfaces are dirty, they should be cleaned using a detergent or soap and water prior to disinfection.
• For disinfection, diluted household bleach solutions, alcohol solutions with at least 70% alcohol, and most common EPA-registered household disinfectants should be effective.
○ Diluted household bleach solutions can be used if appropriate for the surface. Follow manufacturer’s instructions for application and proper ventilation. Check to ensure the product is not past its expiration date. Never mix household bleach with ammonia or any other cleanser. Unexpired household bleach will be effective against coronaviruses when properly diluted.
• Prepare a bleach solution by mixing:
○ 5 tablespoons (1/3rd cup) bleach per gallon of water or
○ 4 teaspoons bleach per quart of water
○ Products with EPA-approved emerging viral pathogens claims are expected to be effective against COVID-19 based on data for harder to kill viruses. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for all cleaning and disinfection products (e.g., concentration, application method and contact time, etc.).
○ For soft (porous) surfaces such as carpeted floor, rugs, and drapes, remove visible contamination if present and clean with appropriate cleaners indicated for use on these surfaces. After cleaning:
○ If the items can be laundered, launder items in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions using the warmest appropriate water setting for the items and then dry items completely.
○ Otherwise, use products with the EPA-approved emerging viral pathogens claims (examples at this link) that are suitable for porous surfaces
Linens, Clothing, and Other Items That Go in the Laundry
• Do not shake dirty laundry; this minimize the possibility of dispersing virus through the air.
• Wash items as appropriate in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. If possible, launder items using the warmest appropriate water setting for the items and dry items completely. Dirty laundry that has been in contact with an ill person can be washed with other people’s items.
• Clean and disinfect hampers or other carts for transporting laundry according to guidance above for hard or soft surfaces.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and Hand Hygiene:
• Cleaning staff should wear disposable gloves and gowns for all tasks in the cleaning process, including handling trash.
○ Gloves and gowns should be compatible with the disinfectant products being used.
○ Additional PPE might be required based on the cleaning/disinfectant products being used and whether there is a risk of splash.
○ Gloves and gowns should be removed carefully to avoid contamination of the wearer and the surrounding area. Be sure to clean hands after removing gloves.
• Gloves should be removed after cleaning a room or area occupied by ill persons. Clean hands immediately after gloves are removed.
• Cleaning staff should immediately report breaches in PPE (e.g., tear in gloves) or any potential exposures to their supervisor.
• Cleaning staff and others should clean hands often, including immediately after removing gloves and after contact with an ill person, by washing hands with soap and water for 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available and hands are not visibly dirty, an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains 60%-95% alcohol may be used. However, if hands are visibly dirty, always wash hands with soap and water.
• Follow normal preventive actions while at work and home, including cleaning hands and avoiding touching eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands.
○ Additional key times to clean hands include:
■ After blowing one’s nose, coughing, or sneezing
■ After using the restroom
■ Before eating or preparing food
■ After contact with animals or pets
■ Before and after providing routine care for another person who needs assistance (e.g., a child)
Additional Considerations for Employers:
• Employers should work with their local and state health departments to ensure appropriate local protocols and guidelines, such as updated/additional guidance for cleaning and disinfection, are followed, including for identification of new potential cases of COVID-19.
• Employers should educate staff and workers performing cleaning, laundry, and trash pick-up activities to recognize the symptoms of COVID-19 and provide instructions on what to do if they develop symptoms within 14 days after their last possible exposure to the virus. At a minimum, any staff should immediately notify their supervisor and the local health department if they develop symptoms of COVID-19. The health department will provide guidance on what actions need to be taken. When working with your local health department check their available hours.
• Employers should develop policies for worker protection and provide training to all cleaning staff on site prior to providing cleaning tasks. Training should include when to use PPE, what PPE is necessary, how to properly don (put on), use, and doff (take off) PPE, and how to properly dispose of PPE.
• Employers must ensure workers are trained on the hazards of the cleaning chemicals used in the workplace in accordance with OSHA’s Hazard Communication standard (29 CFR 1910.1200).
• Employers must comply with OSHA’s standards on Bloodborne Pathogens (29 CFR 1910.1030), including proper disposal of regulated waste, and PPE (29 CFR 1910.132).
Resources for Large Community Events & Mass Gatherings
Plan, prepare, and respond to coronavirus disease 2019
Interim Guidance for event planners
Cleaning and Disinfection Recommendations
Recommendations for Election Polling Locations
Get Your Mass Gatherings or Large Community Events Ready for Coronavirus Disease 2019
Older adults and people who have severe underlying chronic medical conditions like heart or lung disease or diabetes seem to be at higher risk for developing more serious complications from COVID-19 illness.
People who are at higher risk are encouraged to avoid crowds as much as possible. Find more information here.
Interim Guidance
This interim guidance is based on what is currently known about the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will update this interim guidance as needed and as additional information becomes available.
This interim guidance is intended for organizers and staff responsible for planning mass gatherings or large community events in the United States. A mass gathering is a planned or spontaneous event with a large number of people in attendance that could strain the planning and response resources of the community hosting the event, such as concerts, festivals, conferences, worship services, and sporting events.
COVID-19 is an emerging respiratory disease and there is more to learn about its transmission, clinical course, and populations at increased risk of disease and complications (see How COVID-19 Spreads). Everyone can do their part to help plan, prepare, and respond to this emerging public health threat.
As the COVID-19 outbreak evolves, CDC strongly encourages event organizers and staff to prepare for the possibility of outbreaks in their communities. Creating an emergency plan for mass gatherings and large community events can help protect you and the health of your event participants and local community.
CDC has developed recommended actions for preventing the spread of COVID-19 at mass gatherings and large community events. The Before, During, and After sections of this guidance offer suggested strategies to help you plan for and implement these recommendations.
Before a COVID-19 outbreak occurs in your community: Plan
A COVID-19 outbreak could last for a long time. Depending on the severity of the outbreak, public health officials may recommend community actions designed to limit exposure to COVID-19. Officials may ask you to modify, postpone, or cancel large events for the safety and well-being of your event staff, participants, and the community. The details of your emergency operations plan should be based on the size and duration of your events, demographics of the participants, complexity of your event operations, and type of on-site services and activities your event may offer.
Review the existing emergency operations plans for your venues
Meet with the emergency operations coordinator or planning team at your venues. Discuss the emergency operations plans and determine how they may impact aspects of your events, such as personnel, security, services and activities, functions, and resources. Work with the emergency operations coordinator or planning team to prepare for the key prevention strategies outlined in this guidance. Develop a contingency plan that addresses various scenarios described below which you may encounter during a COVID-19 outbreak.
Establish relationships with key community partners and stakeholders. When forming key relationships for your events, include relevant partners such as the local public health department, community leaders, faith-based organizations, vendors, suppliers, hospitals, hotels, airlines, transportation companies, and law enforcement. Collaborate and coordinate with them on broader planning efforts. Clearly identify each partner’s role, responsibilities, and decision-making authority. Contact your local public health department for a copy of their outbreak response and mitigation plan for your community. Participate in community-wide emergency preparedness activities.
Address key prevention strategies in your emergency operations plan
Promote the daily practice of everyday preventive actions. Use health messages and materials developed by credible public health sources such as your local public health department or CDC to encourage your event staff and participants to practice good personal health habits. Promote everyday preventive actions to help prevent the spread of COVID-19, which include:
• Stay home when you are sick, except to get medical care.
• Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Clean frequently touched surfaces and objects daily.
Provide COVID-19 prevention supplies at your events. Plan to have extra supplies on hand for event staff and participants, including sinks with soap, hand sanitizers, tissues, and disposable facemasks (for persons who start having symptoms).
Note: Disposable facemasks should be kept on-site and used only if someone (worker or attendee) becomes sick at your event. Those who become sick should be immediately isolated from staff and participants who are not sick and given a clean disposable facemask to wear.
Plan for staff absences. Develop flexible attendance and sick-leave policies. Event staff need to stay home when they are sick, or they may need to stay home to care for a sick household member or care for their children in the event of school dismissals. Identify critical job functions and positions and plan for alternative coverage by cross-training staff (similar to planning for holiday staffing).
Promote messages that discourage people who are sick from attending events. This should include messages requesting that people leave events if they begin to have symptoms of COVID-19, which include fever, cough, and shortness of breath. They should seek medical advice promptly by calling ahead to a doctor’s office or emergency room to get guidance. See CDC guidance on what to do when sick with COVID-19.
If possible, identify a space that can be used to isolate staff or participants who become ill at the event. Designate a space for staff and participants who may become sick and cannot leave the event immediately. Work with partners, such as local hospitals, to create a plan for treating staff and participants who do not live nearby. Include a plan for separating and caring for vulnerable populations.
Plan ways to limit in-person contact for staff supporting your events. Several ways to do this include offering staff the option to telework if they can perform their job duties off-site, using email, and conducting meetings by phone or video conferencing. Reduce the number of staff needed such as staggering shifts for staff who support essential functions and services during events.
Develop flexible refund policies for participants. Create refund policies that permit participants the flexibility to stay home when they are sick, need to care for sick household members, or are at high risk for complications from COVID-19.
Identify actions to take if you need to postpone or cancel events. Work closely with local public health officials to assess local capacities in the area. During a COVID-19 outbreak, resource limitations among local healthcare systems and/or law enforcement can influence the decision to postpone or cancel your events. If possible, plan alternative ways for participants to enjoy the events by television, radio, or online.
Communicate about COVID-19
Update and distribute timely and accurate emergency communication information. Identify everyone in your chain of communication (for example, event staff, participants, suppliers, vendors, and key community partners and stakeholders) and establish systems for sharing information with them. Maintain up-to-date contact information for everyone in the chain of communication. Identify platforms, such as a hotline, automated text messaging, and a website to help disseminate information.
Identify and address potential language, cultural, and disability barriers associated with communicating COVID-19 information to event staff and participants. Information you share should be easily understood by everyone attending the events. Learn more about reaching people of diverse languages and cultures by visiting: Know Your Audience. You also can learn more about communicating to staff in a crisis at: Crisis Communications Plan.
During a COVID-19 Outbreak: Act
During an outbreak in your community, public health officials may provide event organizers with guidance intended to help slow the spread of COVID-19. Meet regularly with the emergency operations coordinator or planning team at the venue. They are positioned to accurately assess, manage, and communicate possible risks. Early action to slow the spread of COVID-19 will help keep event staff, participants, and the community healthy.
Put your emergency operations and communication plans into action
Stay informed about the local COVID-19 situation. Get up-to-date information about local COVID-19 activity from public health officials. Be aware of temporary school dismissals in your area because these may affect event staff.
Note: Early in the outbreak, local public health officials may recommend schools dismiss temporarily.
Communicate frequently with those in your communication chain. Update key community partners and stakeholders regularly. Share information about how you and the emergency operations coordinator or planning team for the venues are responding to the outbreak.
Distribute health messages about COVID-19 to event staff and participants. Continue to promote everyday preventive actions. Offer resources to event staff and participants that provide reliable COVID-19 information. Address the potential fear and anxiety that may result from rumors or misinformation.
Note: Use culturally appropriate messages, materials, and resources.
Provide COVID-19 prevention supplies to event staff and participants. Ensure that your events have supplies for event staff and participants, such as hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol, tissues, trash baskets, disposable facemasks, and cleaners and disinfectants. Clean frequently touched surfaces and objects with detergent and water prior to disinfection, especially surfaces that are visibly dirty.
• For disinfection, review this list of products with EPA-approved emerging viral pathogens claims, maintained by the American Chemistry Council Center for Biocide Chemistries (CBC). Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for all cleaning and disinfection products.
Consider alternatives for event staff and participants who are at high risk for complications from COVID-19. Currently, older adults and persons with underlying health conditions are considered to be at increased risk for severe illness and complications from COVID-19. Event organizers can consider reassigning duties for high-risk staff to have minimal contact with other persons. People in high-risk groups should consult with their healthcare provider about attending large events. Consider providing refunds to event participants who are unable to attend because they are at high risk and/or provide information on alternative viewing options.
Implement flexible staff attendance and sick-leave policies (if possible). Require staff to stay home if they are sick or caring for a sick household member. Allow staff to work from home when possible. Notify staff when you plan to implement COVID-19 leave policies. Provide instructions about how and when to safely return to work.
Note: Consider asking staff who get sick with COVID-19 symptoms to avoid contact with others and to seek medical advice.
Separate those who become sick at your event from those who are well. Establish procedures to help sick staff or participants leave the event as soon as possible. If any staff member or participant becomes sick at your event, separate them from others as soon as possible. Provide them with clean, disposable facemasks to wear, if available. Work with the local public health department and nearby hospitals to care for those who become sick. If needed, contact emergency services for those who need emergency care. Public transportation, shared rides, and taxis should be avoided for sick persons, and disposable facemasks should be worn by persons who are sick at all times when in a vehicle. Read more about preventing the spread of COVID-19 if someone is sick.
Note: Providing a sick staff member or event participant with a disposable facemask to wear does not replace the need for that person to leave as soon as possible, stay home, and seek medical advice. Wearing a disposable facemask in the workplace or while participating in a large event is not a sufficient infection control measure.
Determine the need to postpone or cancel your events
Put into action strategies for postponing or canceling your events. Work closely with the emergency operations coordinator or planning team for your venues and with local public health officials to discuss the criteria you will use to postpone or cancel your event(s). Immediately alert event staff and participants if your event(s) has been postponed or canceled and inform them of your COVID-19 outbreak (or emergency) refund policy and re-ticketing options.
Update everyone in your communication chain about when your events will occur if postponed or canceled. Let event participants know whether new tickets can be obtained and when.
After a COVID-19 outbreak has ended in your community: Follow Up
Remember, a COVID-19 outbreak could last for a long time. When public health officials determine that the outbreak has ended in your local community, work with them to identify criteria for scaling back COVID-19 prevention actions at your events. Base the criteria on slowing of the outbreak in your local area. If your events were cancelled, work with your venues to reschedule your events.
Evaluate the effectiveness your emergency operations and communication plans
Meet with the emergency operations coordinator or planning team for your venues to discuss and note lessons learned. Gather feedback from event staff, participants (if possible), community partners, and stakeholders to improve plans. Identify any gaps in the plans and any needs you may have for additional resources.
Maintain and expand your planning team. Look for ways to expand community partnerships. Identify agencies or partners needed to help you prepare for infectious disease outbreaks in the future and try to add them to your planning team.
Participate in community-wide emergency preparedness activities.
Recommendations for Election Polling Locations
Interim guidance to prevent spread of coronavirus disease 2019
Guidance updated March 9, 2020 to include the following information:
• Social distancing measures
• Handling mail in ballots
• Updated guidance on disinfecting voting machines
Background
There is much to learn about the novel coronavirus that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Based on what is currently known about this virus and similar coronaviruses, spread from person-to-person happens most frequently among close contacts (within about 6 feet). This type of transmission occurs via respiratory droplets. Transmission of novel coronavirus to persons from surfaces contaminated with the virus has not been documented. Transmission of coronavirus in general occurs much more commonly through respiratory droplets than through contact with contaminated surfaces. Current evidence suggests that novel coronavirus may remain viable for hours to days on surfaces made from a variety of materials. Cleaning of visibly dirty surfaces followed by disinfection is a best practice measure for prevention of COVID-19 and other viral respiratory illnesses in election polling locations.
Purpose
This guidance provides recommendations on the routine cleaning and disinfection of polling location areas and associated voting equipment (e.g., pens, voting machines, computers). It suggests actions that polling station workers can take to reduce the risk of exposure to COVID-19 by limiting the survival of the virus in the environment. This guidance will be updated if additional information becomes available.
Definitions:
• Community settings (e.g. polling locations, households, schools, daycares, businesses) encompass most non-healthcare settings and are visited by the general public.
• Cleaning refers to the removal of dirt and impurities including germs from surfaces. Cleaning alone does not kill germs. But by removing them, it decreases the number of germs and therefore any risk of spreading infection.
• Disinfecting kills germs on surfaces. Disinfecting works by using chemicals to kill germs on surfaces. This process does not necessarily clean dirty surfaces or remove germs. But killing germs remaining on a surface after cleaning further reduce any risk of spreading infection.
Actions for elections officials in advance of election day
• Encourage voters to use voting methods that minimize direct contact with other people and reduce crowd size at polling stations.
○ Encourage mail-in methods of voting if allowed in the jurisdiction.
○ Encourage early voting, where voter crowds may be smaller throughout the day. This minimizes the number of individuals a voter may come in contact with.
○ Encourage drive-up voting for eligible voters if allowed in the jurisdiction.
○ Encourage voters planning to vote in-person on election day to arrive at off-peak times. For example, if voter crowds are lighter mid-morning, advertise that in advance to the community.
Preventive actions polling workers can take
• Stay at home if you have fever, respiratory symptoms, or believe you are sick.
• Practice hand hygiene frequently: wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
• Practice routine cleaning of frequently touched surfaces with household cleaning spray or wipe: including tables, doorknobs, light switches, handles, desks, toilets, faucets, sinks, etc.
• Disinfect surfaces that may be contaminated with germs after cleaning: A list of products with EPA-approved emerging viral pathogens claims is available at https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2020-03/documents/sars-cov-2-list_03-03-2020.pdf. Products with EPA-approved emerging viral pathogens claims are expected to be effective against the virus that causes COVID-19 based on data for harder to kill viruses. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for all cleaning and disinfection products (e.g., concentration, application method and contact time, use of personal protective equipment).
• Clean and disinfect voting-associated equipment (e.g., voting machines, laptops, tablets, keyboards) routinely. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for all cleaning and disinfection products.
○ Consult with the voting machine manufacturer for guidance on appropriate disinfection products for voting machines and associated electronics.
○ Consider use of wipeable covers for electronics.
○ If no manufacturer guidance is available, consider the use of alcohol-based wipes or spray containing at least 70% alcohol to clean voting machine buttons and touch screens. Dry surfaces thoroughly to avoid pooling of liquids.
Preventive action polling stations workers can take for themselves and the general public
Based on available data, the most important measures to prevent transmission of viruses in crowded public areas include careful and consistent cleaning of one’s hands. Therefore:
• Ensure bathrooms at the polling station are supplied adequately with soap, water, and drying materials so visitors and staff can wash their hands.
• Provide an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol for use before and after using the voting machine or the final step in the voting process. Consider placing the alcohol-based hand sanitizer in visible, frequently used locations such as registration desks and exits.
• Incorporate social distancing strategies, as feasible. Social distancing strategies increase the space between individuals and decrease the frequency of contact among individuals to reduce the risk of spreading a disease. Keeping individuals at least 6 feet apart is ideal based on what is known about COVID-19. If this is not feasible, efforts should be made to keep individuals as far apart as is practical. Feasibility of strategies will depend on the space available in the polling station and the number of voters who arrive at one time. Polling station workers can:
○ Increase distance between voting booths.
○ Limit nonessential visitors. For example, poll workers should be encouraged not to bring children, grandchildren, etc. with them as they work the polls.
○ Remind voters upon arrival to try to leave space between themselves and others. Encourage voters to stay 6 feet apart if feasible. Polling places may provide signs to help voters and workers remember this.
○ Discourage voters and workers from greeting others with physical contact (e.g., handshakes). Include this reminder on signs about social distancing.
Recommendations for processing mail-in ballots
• Workers handling mail in ballots should practice hand hygiene frequently
• No additional precautions are recommended for storage of ballots
Resources for Homeless Shelters
Plan, prepare, and respond to coronavirus disease 2019
Interim Guidance for Homeless Shelters
Cleaning and Disinfection Recommendations
Resources for First Responders and Law Enforcement
Interim Guidance for Emergency Medical Services Systems
Information for Law Enforcement Personnel
Interim Guidance: Public Health Communicators Get Your Community Ready for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
This interim guidance is based on what is currently known about the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will update this interim guidance as needed and as additional information becomes available.
In this guide
Before a COVID-19 outbreak occurs: Plan
During a COVID-19 outbreak: Act
After a COVID-19 outbreak has ended: Follow Up]
Readiness Resources
This interim guidance is intended for state and local public health information officers, health communication specialists, health educators, and other public health professionals responsible for planning communication strategies before, during, and after an outbreak of corognavirus disease (COVID-19).
This guidance provides information about nonpharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) and their use during a COVID-19 outbreak. NPIs are actions, apart from getting vaccinated and taking antiviral medications, that people and communities can take to help slow the spread of respiratory illnesses like COVID-19.
COVID-19 is an emerging disease and there is more to learn about its transmission, severity, and how it will take shape in the United States. Everyone can do their part to help plan, prepare, and respond to this emerging public health threat.
CDC has developed recommendations for how to communicate with people in your community about a COVID-19 outbreak. The Before, During, and After sections of this guide offer suggested strategies to help you plan for and implement these recommendations.
This interim guidance is intended for state and local public health information officers, health communication specialists, health educators, and other public health professionals responsible for planning communication strategies before, during, and after an outbreak of corognavirus disease (COVID-19).
This guidance provides information about nonpharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) and their use during a COVID-19 outbreak. NPIs are actions, apart from getting vaccinated and taking antiviral medications, that people and communities can take to help slow the spread of respiratory illnesses like COVID-19.
COVID-19 is an emerging disease and there is more to learn about its transmission, severity, and how it will take shape in the United States. Everyone can do their part to help plan, prepare, and respond to this emerging public health threat.
CDC has developed recommendations for how to communicate with people in your community about a COVID-19 outbreak. The Before, During, and After sections of this guide offer suggested strategies to help you plan for and implement these recommendations.
Before a COVID-19 outbreak occurs in your community: Plan
Preparedness should focus on strengthening the systems and structures that support effective and well-coordinated communication, and not solely on the development of communication messages.
A good emergency communication plan encourages community leaders and stakeholders to plan now for a COVID-19 outbreak and other types of emergencies. Before an outbreak occurs, focus on raising awareness and educating audiences about nonpharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) and other public health respiratory infection-prevention strategies. Identify key community relationships and leverage them to help educate and prepare audiences. It takes time to build relationships. Engage internal and external partners and stakeholders early in your planning process. Coordinating your planning efforts with them can help establish strong lines of communication and ensure that information is consistent before and during a COVID-19 outbreak in your community.
Become familiar with key COVID-19 prevention messages and NPI recommendations
Read and understand “Everyday Preventive Actions”. This list identifies personal health habits that people should use all the time, including to help protect themselves and their families against COVID-19 and other respiratory illnesses.
Read and understand CDC’s audience-specific COVID-19 NPI guidance documents and communication materials. Tailored guidance and resources addressing COVID-19 planning are available for individuals and communities.
Take CDC’s NPI 101 Web-based training. State, tribal, local, and territorial public health officials can complete an interactive course (developed by CDC for pandemic influenza preparedness) to increase their understanding of NPIs and how to plan for the use of NPIs before, during, and after a pandemic to help slow spread of disease. The NPI training is applicable to COVID-19. Register for “NPI 101” External on CDC TRAIN. The following free CE credits are provided: 0.2 CEU/CE, 1.5 CHES, 1.75 CME, 1.5 CNE Contact Hours, and 2 CPHCE.
Update your existing emergency communication plan
Meet with your existing emergency planning and operations team to update the emergency communication plan for your state or local community.
• Review all aspects of your plan, such as staffing, communication strategies, trainings, tools, policies, equipment, systems and procedures for clearing and approving information, and other resources.
• Develop or update your plan based on various scenarios your state or local community may face during a COVID-19 outbreak.
Establish systems for sharing information with key partners and stakeholders.
• Identify everyone in your chain of communication (e.g., new and existing partners and stakeholders, others in your own agency, and other health departments), and create or update a comprehensive contact list.
• Maintain up-to-date primary and secondary contact information for everyone in the chain.
• Determine when and what type of information to share with those in your communication chain.
• Identify platforms, such as a hotline, automated text messaging, email, social media, and a website, to help disseminate information to internal and external partners and audiences.
Help community members prepare for COVID-19
Encourage community members to plan for COVID-19.
• Promote the practice of everyday preventive actions before an outbreak occurs (e.g., staying home when sick, covering coughs and sneezes with a tissue, washing hands often, and cleaning frequently touched surfaces). Identify up-to-date resources and tools to household members plan and prepare for COVID-19.
Create a COVID-19 communication workgroup with representatives from key partners and stakeholders.
• Include communication, marketing, and public relations professionals who work in various community settings, such as childcare programs, healthcare facilities, pharmacies, schools, workplaces, community- and faith-based organizations, and public and private organizations.
• Discuss with the workgroup the emergency communication plan for your state or local community.
• Determine how to coordinate COVID-19 outbreak communication between workgroup members. Encourage their participation in other community-wide COVID-19 readiness activities.
Note: Inform workgroup members about workshops, programs, and other activities they can implement within their organizations to inspire the public to consistently practice good personal health habits and prepare for emergencies.
Engage communities in a dialogue about COVID-19 readiness.
• Conduct needs assessments or focus groups with community members to gather information about their knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, and challenges related to NPIs and COVID-19. Use their feedback to improve your communication strategies, messages, and materials.
Note: Work closely with workgroup members and key partners and stakeholders to address COVID-19 readiness challenges and barriers identified by audiences in your community. Identifying solutions to help audiences move past barriers may help people change habits and better adapt to changing circumstances during an outbreak.
Update information needs and community resources
Identify target audiences and communication channels. Work with workgroup members and key partners and stakeholders to define audiences and develop strategies to reach every member of the community. Additional strategies may be needed to reach high-risk and vulnerable populations, such as:
• Women, infants, and children
• Older adults
• Persons with disabilities
• Persons with access and functional needs
Note: Some NPI actions may draw public attention and can have negative psychosocial and economic consequences on groups and individuals to which they are applied during an outbreak, especially to high-risk and vulnerable populations. Include in your communication plan strategies and messages that address fear, stigmatization, and discrimination.
Address any gaps in communication resources, materials, or processes.
Identify the training needs of workgroup members and key partners and stakeholders.
• Identify existing trainings or develop new trainings about NPIs, decision-making, and risk communication.
• Ensure communicators across sectors have the necessary skills and understanding to develop emergency communication plans and promote COVID-19 readiness within their organizations.
Become a resource for COVID-19 information.
• Tailor ready-to-use messages and materials (fact sheets, checklists, and frequently asked questions) for each audience.
• Prepare resources that educate people about the importance of adopting NPI measures (like staying home when sick).
• Use plain language and include examples and pictures in your materials to improve understanding.
• Visit CDC’s website for messages and materials about NPIs and COVID-19. Visit CDC’s Health Literacy page for more information about plain language.
Assess procedures and technology resources needed for timely communicatoin during a COVID-19 outbreak
Review, exercise, and update communication policies, procedures, and systems for updating, clearing, approving, and disseminating information (both internally and externally).
• Make sure information is accurate and consistent during an emergency and flows promptly and frequently to the correct audiences.
• Review your system for tracking and responding to inquiries received from the public, partners, and stakeholders.
Note: Communication after-action reports and improvement plans (AARs/IPs) from recent public health emergency responses can offer practical and helpful insights.
Identify existing and needed technology resources.
• Assess and update the availability of technology and equipment, such as mobile phones, computers, internet access, and wireless devices, so they are ready for immediate use.
• If needed resources do not exist inside your organization, create a plan for acquiring them or identify sources from which you can access technology during a COVID-19 outbreak.
Plan for the dissemination of COVID-19 information
Create a plan for interacting with news media.
• The media can serve as a vital link in providing up-to-date information and helping to deliver key messages to the public.
• Develop a strategy for communicating directly with the public, working with the media, and responding to inquiries.
Identify multiple spokespersons or subject matter experts.
• Experts who will serve as spokespersons should be experienced in public health emergencies and COVID-19. Include representatives from limited English-speaking communities.
• Provide training, as needed, so they are comfortable speaking to news media and able to answer challenging questions using plain language (clear communication). See Crisis and Emergency Risk Communication: By Leaders for Leaders to learn more about the role of a spokesperson.
Develop a plan for using current social media.
• Plan ways to incorporate popular or topical social media platforms that can help you promote key messages and quickly update people with new information. Social media platforms also provide direct access to your target audiences, giving you opportunities to engage in real-time discussions for information gathering and evaluation purposes.
• Use best practices and principles of effective risk communication; you may want to localize and redistribute CDC messaging on social media.
Develop a communication evaluation plan. Use these questions to help you measure the effectiveness of your emergency communication plan:
• Can your audiences find, understand, and use your information?
• Are your key messages culturally appropriate and in plain language?
• Are you successfully increasing awareness by disseminating resources and materials?
• Are communication activities being successfully coordinated with internal and external partners and stakeholders?
• Can you confirm that timely information is being provided throughout the duration of the COVID-19 outbreak?
• Is misinformation being spread on social media, or elsewhere? If so, how are you counteracting it?
Test and update your emergency communication plan.
• Practice the actions outlined in your plan.
• Ensure systems and procedures support communication activities needed during a COVID-19 outbreak.
• Refine messages, materials, and tools.
• Encourage workgroup members to test the emergency communication plans for their organizations.
During a COVID-19 outbreak in your community: Act
Maintain ongoing communication with your workgroup members, partners, and stakeholders once COVID-19 is in your local community. Coordinate COVID-19 communication activities with news media and other channels to ensure consistent messaging. If you must use technical terminology and concepts, be sure to define them and include examples to help improve understanding. For example, create messages that clearly explain COVID-19 and NPIs.
Your communication should be early, empathetic, accurate, and effective. Early communication of COVID-19 information helps limit misinformation and rumors that could contribute to confusion and fear. Empathetic communication conveys concern and reassurance, empowers people, and reduces emotional turmoil. Accurate communication provides the facts about a situation and what is being done to resolve it. Effective communication helps build understanding and guide the public, media, healthcare providers, and other groups in responding to COVID-19 and complying with public health recommendations.
Put your emergency plan into action
Stay informed about the COVID-19 situation.
• Visit the CDC website to get up-to-date information about COVID-19.
Provide instructions for NPI implementation.
• Explain why NPIs are necessary and effective when implemented early and practiced throughout an outbreak. Give details about what, how, when, and where NPIs will be implemented in the community.
○ To learn more about NPIs as an important community mitigation measure, visit Community Mitigation Guidelines to Prevent Pandemic Influenza — United States, 2017. Visit CDC’s Crisis and Emergency Risk Communication (CERC) website for more information about communicating during an emergency.
Continue to promote the daily practice of everyday preventive actions.
• Provide frequent updates to the public to ensure they understand their risk for getting and spreading COVID-19 and how to reduce their risk.
• Encourage people to stay home and away from others when they are sick, to practice good health habits, and to comply with CDC or local public health recommendations to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Communicate frequently with those in your communication chain
Always give simple, credible, accurate, consistent, and timely information.
• Be transparent and share what is known and unknown about the COVID-19 situation in your state or local community.
• Use a variety of communication channels to distribute audience-specific health messages and materials.
• Provide additional resources and web links where the public can find reliable NPI and COVID-19 information. See Crisis and Emergency Risk Communication: Spokesperson to learn more about the role of a spokesperson.
Update everyone in your communication chain regularly.
• Share updated information with your workgroup members, partners, and stakeholders to help them make decisions.
Communicate COVID-19 prevention information to those who are vulnerable and at high risk for complications.
• Work with partners to implement communication strategies for reaching high-risk and vulnerable populations in your community (for example, people who are homeless or have limited English-language skills).
• Learn how community- and faith-based organizations can help vulnerable populations during an outbreak.
Monitor and evaluate your efforts, and change communications as needed
Monitor all media sources.
• Use a variety of media channels to address misinformation and gather feedback about the response.
Implement actions outlined in your evaluation plan.
• Document communication activities that have and have not happened. Explain why activities did not occur or were changed during implementation.
After a COVID-19 outbreak has ended in your community: Follow Up
Health communicators can distribute well-designed information that achieves behavior change
Work with workgroup members to identify criteria for phasing out and ending COVID-19 prevention communication activities. Maintain an attitude of preparedness by continuing to collaborate with workgroup members, partners, and stakeholders to enhance their communication skills on COVID-19 readiness and other public health issues. Use data from the response to identify new communication strategies and campaigns to facilitate long-term behavior change.
Evaluate the effectiveness your emergency communication plan
Discuss and note lessons learned.
• Gather feedback from the public, workgroup members, partners, and stakeholders to improve your plan.
• Discuss which communication channels, materials, tools, and messages were successful, which were unsuccessful, and which were missing from your plan.
• Determine whether target audiences were reached.
• Identify additional resource needs.
Maintain and expand your COVID-19 communication workgroup.
• Look for ways to expand community partnerships.
• Identify trusted representatives from the community and federal, state, or local agencies or organizations needed to help you prepare for COVID-19.
The timing of a COVID-19 outbreak cannot be predicted but having a plan in place is very important. Communication is an essential part of any successful public health response. Coordinate your planning activities with internal and external partners and stakeholders to help prepare your community for COVID-19 and achieve your emergency communication goals and objectives.
