Guidance for Businesses and Industries

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Guidance for Businesses and Industries

It is recommended that businesses and organizations reference available guidance to ensure that any and all procedures are followed to keep both staff and clients safe. These guidelines may differ based on the industry in which the business operates.

Resources are organized based on topic. Click on the options to jump to each section or scroll down to view more.

Report COVID-19 Violations

To report violations of County orders, residents can call 832-839-6941 or fill out the State/County COVID-19 Order Complaint Form online.




Latest Updates

COVID-19 Vaccination and Guidance for Vaccinated Individuals
COVID-19 Vaccination and Guidance for Vaccinated Individuals

Residents are encouraged to get vaccinated against Coronavirus (COVID-19). Find vaccine providers nearest you and schedule your appointment here. 

Are you already fully vaccinated? Refer to Guidance for Vaccinated Individuals here.

Guidance For Returning To Work After COVID-19 Illness Or Exposure
Guidance For Returning To Work After COVID-19 Illness Or Exposure

If you have tested positive for Coronavirus (COVID-19) or have been exposed to it and are concerned about the process for returning to work, please refer to HCPH's General Public Guidance resources.




School Guidance and Updates
School Guidance and Updates

For more information about returning to school and associated benchmarks, view our School Guidance and Updates resources.







Resource Downloads and Toolkits

Toolkits featuring business guidance, signage, holiday guidance, and more are available for download here.




General Guidance

When reopening, there may specific guidelines that apply to multiple industries, building occupancy, or other elements that may be applicable to multiple sectors. This section - as well as the General Public Guidance page - details those documents. Similar information may be found in the Occupancy Limits, Available Signage, and/or Information for Management sections as well.

Guidance for Construction
Guidance for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Sequence
Encourage Staff Testing
Reopening Guidance / FAQ for Managers (Non-Healthcare)
Temperature Check Procedure
Guidance for Self Isolation
Guidance for Employees Working During COVID-19
Guidance for Employers
Business Guidance for Mitigating the Spread
Reduce the Spread - How Face Masks Work
Families First Coronavirus Response Act (Paid Leave)



Safety Measures and Protocols

Resources for Safety Measures can be found below. For additional documents that pertain to employee guidelines and communicating protocols, refer to the Available Signage and Information for Management resources.

Social Distancing and Self-Monitoring (PDF)
Coping With Stress During Infectious Disease Outbreaks (PDF)
Guidance for Using Masks (PDF)
Social Distancing and the Breathing Zone: Why 6 FT of Distance?
Guidance for Safe Sex Interactions
Domestic Violence Resources
Reducing Risk for Older Adults
How to Treat Mild Symptoms at Home
Proper Use of Masks, Risk Factors
Guidance for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Sequence
Temperature Check Procedure
Guidance for Self Isolation
Guidance for Employees Working During COVID-19
Guidance for Employers
Reduce the Spread - How Face Masks Work
Cleaning and Disinfecting, Businesses



Operations and Management

Available Signs and Graphics

Select graphics are available for download to help both customers and staff alike adhere to any protocols currently in place within your business. Download a full packet of business guidance here.

Printable Sign: Customers Do Not Enter
Social Distancing Floor Decal
Temperature Check Notice
Printable Sign: Customers Should Wear Face Coverings / Face Masks
Printable Sign: How Customers Can Protect Themselves and Others From COVID-19



Information for Management

Select resources are available for staff management purposes.

Guidance for Using Masks (PDF)
Social Distancing and the Breathing Zone: Why 6 FT of Distance?
Guidance for Essential Businesses
Encourage Staff Testing
Reopening Guidance / FAQ for Managers (Non-Healthcare)
Temperature Check Procedure
Guidance for Self Isolation
Guidance for Employees Working During COVID-19
Guidance for Employers
Business Guidance for Mitigating the Spread
Reduce the Spread - How Face Masks Work
Families First Coronavirus Response Act (Paid Leave)



Occupancy Limits

The Harris County Fire Marshal can help determine occupancy. If you do not know the occupancy of your facility, please contact the Harris County Fire Marshal Office at 713-274-1700 or [email protected]. For more information, visit www.hcfmo.net/records/.




Guidance By Industry

To view resources for individual sectors, click the options below or scroll down. 

For guidance on signage, occupancy limits, etc., refer to the Operations and Management section.




Beauty Salons, etc.

Resources for Beauty Salons - including Nail Salons, Spas, etc. - can be found below. 

Reopening Guidance for Beauty Salons



Construction

Resources for Construction can be found below. 

Guidance for Construction
Construction Worksite Tips



Dental Providers

To help control the spread of COVID-19, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released Interim Infection Prevention and Control Guidance for Dental Settings During the COVID-19 Response. This guidance should be used with CDC’s Interim Infection Prevention and Control Recommendations for patients with COVID-19. This information supplements, but does not replace, the general infection prevention and control (IPC) recommendations for COVID-19.

Resources for Dental Providers can be found on the Center for Disease Control's (CDC) website for Dental Settings




Educational Services

Resources are available for Educational Services, including Early Education. Please refer to the School Guidance and Updates page for more information.





Entertainment and Recreation

Resources for Entertainment and Recreation can be found below. 

Guidance for Movie Theaters
Guidance for Museums and Libraries



Event Planning

Resources for Event Planning can be found below. 

Guidance for Using Masks (PDF)
Social Distancing and the Breathing Zone: Why 6 FT of Distance?
Temperature Check Procedure
Guidance for Wedding Venues



Faith and Worship Services

Resources for Faith and Worship can be found below. 

Guidance for House of Faith/Worship
Reopening Guidance for Places of Worship and Non-Profit Food Services
Safety Guide for Faith-Based Organizations



Fitness and Exercise Facilities

Resources for Exercise Facilities, such as gyms and studios, can be found below. 

Guidance for Exercise Facilities (e.g., Gyms, Studios)
Reopening Guidance for Visiting Parks



Food and Beverage

Resources for Food and Beverage - including Restaurants, Fast Food, Bars, etc. - can be found below. 

Guidance for Food Establishments (PDF)
Guidance for Dining Rooms
Reopening Guidance for Bars



Funeral Homes

Resources for Funeral Homes and Funeral Directors can be found on the National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA) website.




Healthcare and Social Services

Resources for Healthcare, Social Services, First Responders, and related industries can be found below. To view comprehensive materials for healthcare - in particular, those that apply to Healthcare Professionals and Frontline Workers - refer to the Guidance for Healthcare Professionals resources.

Guidance for Homeless Shelters (PDF)
Guidance for Assisted Living (PDF)
Guidance for First Responders (PDF)
Guidance for Care Givers (PDF)
Healthcare Professionals Working During COVID-19
First Responders & Coping With Stress
Guidance for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Sequence



Manufacturing 

Resources for Manufacturing can be found below. 

Reopening Guidance for Manufacturing



Meat and Poultry Processing

Resources for Meat and Poultry Processing and associated facilities can be found below. 

Guidance for Meat & Poultry Plants
Guidance for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Sequence



Retail

Resources for Retail can be found below. 




Supermarket and Grocery

Resources for Supermarkets, Grocery Stores, and other Food Retail establishments can be found below. 

Guidance for Grocery Shopping (PDF)



Transportation

Resources for Transportation, including Public Transportation, can be found below. 

Guidance for Public Transportation



Veterinarian Services

The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) provides an FAQ page specifically for veterinarians and veterinary clinics on COVID-19. AVMA has additional resources and information that are updated frequently at avma.org/coronavirus

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also provides interim guidance for public health professionals managing the home care and isolation of people with COVID-19 who have pets or other animals in the same home. Visit the CDC web page for more information.

Resources for Veterinarians compiled by HCPH can be found below.

Guidance for Veterinarians



Wedding Venues and Services


Resources for the Wedding Industry, such as venues and vendors, can be found below.

Guidance for Wedding Venues