Missouri’s Path to Reopening Amid COVID-19: Safe, Phased Recovery

Missouri’s initial recovery phase began May 4, 2020, and during this phase we can gradually start to reopen economic and social activity. This will be a deliberate process, and is flexible to adapt to the situation. Some communities may be able to reopen at a faster rate, while others may need to continue restrictions to keep the virus from spreading. During this time, we should limit our activity and interactions and continue to maintain social distancing and practice good hygiene to protect our neighbors and ourselves.

Missouri’s Recovery Plan

Our state is one of the first to take steps to open its economy. Governor Mike Parson announced that businesses could reopen Monday, May 4th, provided they follow the social distancing guidelines set forth in the new health order. Some businesses will need to take additional precautions to protect their employees and the public, such as occupancy limits. All businesses are encouraged to do the following:

• Implement basic infection prevention measures informed by industry best practices
• Modify physical work spaces to maximize social distancing
• Minimize business travel
• Develop an infectious disease preparedness and response plan
• Do not allow symptomatic people to physically return to work until cleared by a medical provider
• Encourage telework whenever possible and feasible with business operations
• Return to work in phases and/or split shifts
• Limit access to common areas where personnel are likely to congregate and interact
• Ensure that sick leave policies are flexible and consistent with public health guidance

Show Me Strong Recovery Order, through May 31, 2020 

Stay Home Order, EXTENDED through May 3, 2020

Stay Home Order – FAQs 

Stay Home Order, through April 24, 2020 

Missouri Enterprise’s Covid-19 Response Team is standing by and can help your manufacturing company incorporate these guidelines. 

As manufacturers navigate the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, there are several key issues company leaders should consider and  steps they can take toward business continuity planning, safety and wellness  of employees, and adjusting its communications strategies.  As your dedicated MEP Center in the Show-Me State, Missouri Enterprise is enhancing its assistance to help manufacturers find their way through this crisis. For our experts to respond to your needs, we recommend you first take our brief Covid-19 Readiness Recovery Assessment, which will provide you with valuable feedback on  where your company’s recovery strengths and weaknesses are in the categories of PEOPLE, COMMUNICATION, STRATEGY, and PROCESSES.

Check out our new page for resources and solutions specifically geared to help manufacturers transition through this pandemic.

Ensuring the safety of your employees should be your top priority, especially those who have been deemed essential to your operations and to the overall economy. We are here to help your company develop workforce plans to set up safe practices, training for new positions or to produce new materials, infectious disease controls, and prevention. Here are just a few examples of some of the PEOPLE solutions we offer. 

• Setting Up Safe Practices at Work
• Understanding Wellness & Hygiene Guidelines
• Infectious Disease Planning
• Returning to Work Preparedness
• Workforce Strategies – standard of work modifications, work schedule and shift changes, work & people flow strategies, remote working planning, redistribution of skills and management team based on needs of the company, workforce phasing plans, recruitment and retention strategies.
• Training – virtual training programs to help you and your team carry on with the work at hand as well as prepare for new roles once operations resume. This includes webinars, remote one-on-one consulting sessions with experts, and more. Here are a few examples of our training: Training Within Industry, DDI, Webinars, Tooling U. 

For our experts to respond to your needs, we recommend you first take the Covid-19 Readiness Recovery Assessment, which allows us to better understand your individual challenges. Our goal is match needs with solutions. However, if you already understand your challenge, please connect with your Area Business Manager  and they would be glad to help you.

Share this information with others within your company or within your network. Be safe. We are here when you need us. Connect with your Missouri Enterprise Area Business Manager at any time.