The MinneapolisMART is committed to providing a safe and healthy workplace for all our staff, members and retail buyers. To ensure we have as safe and healthy workplace, we have developed the following COVID-19 Preparedness Plan in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Board of Directors and MART staff are all responsible for implementing this plan. Our goal is to mitigate the potential for transmission of COVID-19 in our workplaces and communities, and that requires full cooperation among our staff, members and retail buyers. Only through this cooperative effort can we establish and maintain the safety and health of our workers and workplaces.
Management and workers are responsible for implementing and complying with all aspects of this COVID-19 Preparedness Plan. The MinneapolisMART Board of Directors and staff have our full support in enforcing the provisions of this policy.
Our staff are our most important assets. We are serious about safety and health and keeping our staff working at the MinneapolisMART. Staff involvement is essential in developing and implementing a successful COVID-19 Preparedness Plan. We have involved our staff in this process by explaining the goals that have to make the MART a safe place to work and do business and sought their input and ideas to accomplish these goals. Our COVID-19 Preparedness Plan follows Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) guidelines, federal OSHA standards related to COVID-19 and Executive Order 20-48, and addresses:
Screening and policies for employees exhibiting signs and symptoms of COVID-19
Regular and temporary staff will be trained on or before their first work shift on May 14th, 2020 and been informed of and encouraged to self-monitor for signs and symptoms of COVID-19. The following policies and procedures are being implemented to assess workers’ health status prior to entering the workplace and for workers to report when they are sick or experiencing symptoms. We have purchased handheld temperature scanners and staff will be check each day at the start of their shift. We have provided a list of COVID-19 symptoms and instructed staff that they must notify their supervisor immediately should they experience any of these symptoms and should not come to work. If staff experience symptoms while at work they have been instructed to isolate in the supply room or their personal vehicle.
The MinneapolisMART has leave policies that promote workers staying at home when they are sick, when household members are sick, or when required by a health care provider to isolate or quarantine themselves or a member of their household.
The MinneapolisMART has informed staff and members if they have been exposed to a person with COVID-19 at their workplace and requiring them to quarantine for the required amount of time.
In addition, a policy has been implemented to protect the privacy of workers’ health status and health information.
Handwashing & Hand-sanitization
Basic infection prevention measures are being implemented at The MinneapolisMART at all times. Staff are instructed to wash their hands for at least 20 seconds with soap and water frequently throughout the day, but especially at the beginning and end of their shift, prior to any mealtimes and after using the toilet. All members, customers and visitors to The MinneapolisMART are asked to wash or sanitize their hands frequently throughout the day. 12 hand-sanitizer dispensers (that use sanitizers of greater than 60% alcohol) are located in the lobby and the showroom galleries. Signage recommending hand washing 20 seconds are posted at restroom entrances and mirrors.
Respiratory etiquette: Cover your cough or sneeze & Facemasks
Staff, members and customers are being instructed to cover their mouth and nose with their sleeve or a tissue when coughing or sneezing and to avoid touching their face, in particular their mouth, nose and eyes, with their hands. They should dispose of tissues in provided trash receptacles and wash or sanitize their hands immediately afterward. Respiratory etiquette is promoted on signs throughout the building and specifically on every bathroom door and mirror.
Staff are instructed to wear a facemask at all times when interacting with others. Members and customers are encouraged to wear facemasks while in the building. If any person arrives at the MinneapolisMART without a facemask we have disposable masks available to them free of charge.
Social distancing
Social distancing of six feet will be implemented and maintained between staff, customers and visitors in the workplace through the following physical and administrative controls:
On-line Registration: Temporarily eliminate on-site check-in requirement for Customers by utilizing on-line registration. We anticipate a small number of customers who have not preregistered, in this case we won’t refuse entry, however will ask that they stop at our front desk anytime during the day when there is no line.
6 Foot Rule: Signage at the entrances instruct staff, members and customers to maintain 6 feet social distancing. The chain barrier at the front desk will be closed and a table placed onside the barrier so that customers maintain over 6 feet distance to the desk staff. Floor markings will be placed in this area to ensure customers waiting for assistance maintain 6 feet spacing.
Appointments: Members and customers are encouraged to set appointments with individual showroom before arriving at The MinneapolisMART
Safe Capacity: Signage has been placed on each showroom entrance and in the lobby indicating the capacity for each room/space. Staff and members have been instructed to monitor compliance. These limits will follow the recommended 50% of capacity. Our total building could accommodate 1,125 people using these guidelines, however, our forecasted daily maximum attendance falls far below this number.
Food Service: The MinneapolisMART has temporarily suspended on-site food service. Customers will be encouraged to bring box lunches or we will offer a list of local establishments that offer drive through, curbside pick-up or delivery. Delivery drivers will not be allowed in the building but should be met outside.
Customer Entrances: The number of entrance doors has been reduced to two. One at the east entrance and one at the north entrance. This will ensure that all customers are greeted with prominent welcome signage that includes guidance and instructions on social distancing and other safe practices. Motion activated hand- sanitization, facemasks and pens for personal use throughout the day will be available at each entrance.
Mandatory Attendance Suspension: The MinneapolisMART has suspended mandatory showroom hours. Each member may make their own decision to be open or closed during the COVID-19.
Customer Surveys: Weekly surveys will be conducted of potential customers to promote attendance at Market Monday events and specifically suggesting that appointments are preferred. Responses will inform MinneapolisMART leadership and its members how many customers may be expected to be shopping in the building on any given day.
Cleaning, disinfection, and ventilation
Regular housekeeping practices are being implemented, including routine cleaning and disinfecting of work surfaces, restrooms, board room. Frequent cleaning and disinfecting will be conducted in high-touch areas, such as phones, keyboards, door handles and copy machines.
During regular business hours, Monday through Friday from 8am to 5pm we will expect modest customer traffic in the building. Bathrooms, trash removal and carpet cleaning will be scheduled for Monday, Wednesday and Friday evenings. This will include disinfecting all hard surfaces including trash cans, counter tops, sinks and door handles, door frames, bathroom stall door handles and frames, etc. Also, during these days, staff will frequently disinfect exterior door handles and door frames, main desk hard surfaces as well as office equipment (e.g. computer keyboards, copy machine controls, etc.)
Prior to each scheduled show dates, an enhanced cleaning service will be contracted to do hospital level sanitation of all bathrooms in the building. Then during show days, twice daily empty of trash and cleaning of all bathrooms will be conducted.
Appropriate and effective cleaning and disinfectant supplies have been purchased and are available for use in accordance with product labels, safety data sheets and manufacturer specifications and are being used with required personal protective equipment for the product.
On days when the outside temperature is above 65 degrees, the two standard entrance doors as well as two doors within each gallery will be open to promote fresh air flow in the building.
Communications and training
This COVID-19 Preparedness Plan was communicated to all workers in a face to face meeting on their first day to work on or after May, 14, 2020 and a question and answer period was offered to ensure the Plan is understood.
Signage will be prominently display for staff, members and customers on a continuous basis starting on May 14, 2020 and updated as necessary if practices are adjusted. Topics will include social distancing; required hygiene practices; recommendations that customers and visitors use face masks. Customers and visitors will also be advised not to enter the workplace if they are experiencing symptoms or have contracted COVID-19 in both promotional communications and with prominent signage at the entrances to the building. The Board of Directors and staff have been encouraged to work through this new program and update the protocols and signage as necessary. This COVID-19 Preparedness Plan has been certified by The MinneapolisMART Board of Directors and is available for review at the front desk.
Certified by:
[Signature]
Doug Yahnke – President, MinneapolisMART/UMAGA Board of Directors
Appendix A – Guidance for developing a COVID-19 Preparedness Plan
General
Centers for Disease Controal and Prevention (CDC): Coronavirus (COVID-19) – www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV
Minnesota Department of Health (MDH): Coronavirus – www.health.state.mn.us/diseases/coronavirus
State of Minnesota: COVID-19 response – https://mn.gov/covid19
Businesses
CDC: Resources for businesses and employers – www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/organizations/businesses-employers.html
CDC: General business frequently asked questions – www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/general-business-faq.html
CDC: Building/business ventilation – www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/guidance-business-response.html
MDH: Businesses and employers: COVID-19 – www.health.state.mn.us/diseases/coronavirus/businesses.html
MDH: Health screening checklist – www.health.state.mn.us/diseases/coronavirus/facilityhlthscreen.pdf
MDH: Materials for businesses and employers – www.health.state.mn.us/diseases/coronavirus/materials
Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED): COVID-19 information and resources – https://mn.gov/deed/newscenter/covid/
Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (DLI): Updates related to COVID-19 – www.dli.mn.gov/updates
Federal OSHA – www.osha.gov
Handwashing
MDH: Handwashing video translated into multiple languages – www.youtube.com/watch?v=LdQuPGVcceg
Respiratory etiquette: Cover your cough or sneeze
CDC: www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/prevention.html
CDC: www.cdc.gov/healthywater/hygiene/etiquette/coughing_sneezing.html
MDH: www.health.state.mn.us/diseases/coronavirus/prevention.html
Social distancing
CDC: www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/guidance-business-response.html
MDH: www.health.state.mn.us/diseases/coronavirus/businesses.html
Housekeeping
CDC: www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/disinfecting-building-facility.html
CDC: www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/disinfecting-your-home.html
CDC: www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/organizations/cleaning-disinfection.html
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): www.epa.gov/pesticide-registration/list-n-disinfectants-use-against-sars-cov-2
Employees exhibiting signs and symptoms of COVID-19
CDC: www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/if-you-are-sick/steps-when-sick.html
MDH: www.health.state.mn.us/diseases/coronavirus/basics.html
MDH: www.health.state.mn.us/diseases/coronavirus/facilityhlthscreen.pdf
MDH: www.health.state.mn.us/diseases/coronavirus/returntowork.pdf
State of Minnesota – https://mn.gov/covid19/for-minnesotans/if-sick/get-tested/index.jsp
Training
CDC: www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/guidance-small-business.html
Federal OSHA: www.osha.gov/Publications/OSHA3990.pdf