Key Takeaways from Downtown Denver Partnership’s 6th COVID-19 Member Briefing Webinar

April 28, 2020

On April 28, the Downtown Denver Partnership gathered our members, community leaders, and business owners in the sixth weekly COVID-19 Membership Briefing webinar. Key takeaways from our featured Members include:

Michael Daley, Director of Sales: Southwest Region for Allied Universal Security Services, shared practices to help employers make plans and preparations to return to work safely.

  • Guidelines are still being updated, and our different state and city governments require varying levels of precautions.
  • It is time for employers to begin launching health-conscious practices, and help communicate to employees how they can adjust to the “new normal”. Immediate governmental guidelines for reopening are vague, and individuals will be looking to leaders of their organizations to help direct and implement appropriate practices. Government guidelines for reopening are available at whitehouse.gov.
  • Key practices moving forward will include social distancing, sanitation, disinfection of common areas, protective equipment, limited business travel, and temperature checks.
  • Other suggested guidelines for reopening include returning employees in phases, and closing common areas.
  • Employers should keep up with updated action plans as they develop from organizations such as the Center for Disease Control (CDC), Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA), and other health organizations.
  • Businesses should consult their security providers on how they can adapt according to adjusted guidelines. Some examples can include helping with workplace signage to guide social distancing, keeping workplaces disinfected, implementing employee screenings, and implementing security screenings with trained professionals by limiting foot traffic to one flow of entry to exit.
  • Security services will play a large role in managing social distancing. This will include reevaluating guest and visitor processes, putting limits to the numbers of employees in different areas, and managing proximity of employees and visitors.
  • Daley also confirmed that across industries, employers are experiencing supply chain issues for items such as forehead and touchless thermometers as they are in high demand. While this equipment is unavailable, he encouraged implementing screening questionnaires for employees.
  • Daley encouraged employers and employees to balance empathy in this unprecedented back to work environment. Click here to see Daley’s presentation.

James McDonough, HR Research Consultant, Member Engagement, Employers Council emphasized that we are collectively adapting to this “new normal” and adjusting to varying expectations for addressing COVID-19.

  • McDonough highlighted three things for employers to think about as we transition into the Safer at Home phase. 
    • Pay attention to compliance for wage and hour laws, as well as benefits such as paid leave. As employees return to work, paid leave for sick employees has been extended to December 31, 2020.
    • Employers should be creative in communicating safety expectations with employees, and should provide both training and accountability.
    • Consider implementing online training and meetings.
  • Identify solution-based business needs and give your employees opportunities to have safe conversations to express concerns about returning to work.
  • Masks have not been mandated in Colorado, but are highly recommended. The nature of the industry and job will dictate more specific guidelines.
  • Employers have the power to enact restrictions for employees and visitors to wear masks.
  • Free resources for employers are being offered at at employerscouncil.org.
  • Click here to see the full presentation.

Jeff Dunning, Senior Service Planner/Scheduler, Regional Transportation shared the Regional Transportation District (RTD) COVID-19 Service Plan and response, and asked that any employers or employees who have input or requests for expanded service reach out to him at Jeff.Dunning@rtd-denver.com.

  • Ridership dropped by ⅔ during the week of March 16. RTD developed the COVID-19 plan the week of March 23 and this plain aims to maintain an operating skeletal network of service for those who are essential.
  • All updated schedules all posted on the RTD website here. 
  • RTD is asking all passengers to wear personal protective equipment.
  • As of now, these current schedules can remain in effect until September 19, but are subject to change at any time depending on ridership.
  • RTD is beginning to restore service in certain areas, and has added capacity to add other routes.
  • Fares are not being charged at this time, and boarding is only being allowed through back doors.
  • The RTD aims to phase back in services through this summer and into the fall. They are welcoming comments, and basing interim planning on data as it comes in.

For access to the Partnership’s most up-to-date COVID-19 resources please click here to see our updated page. 

Click here for the guidelines for Safer at Home from Governor Polis and the State of Colorado. 

Click here for the announcement from Mayor Hancock regarding Denver’s Stay at Home order through May 8th.

Finally, we hope you join us for the Restarting the Economy webinar series. Find more information here.

The Partnership will continue to host weekly COVID-19 Membership briefings. Click here to join us for next week’s webinar on April 21st at 3:00 PM.