Restarting Business Operations
Resources By Industry
The West Michigan COVID-19 Business Coalition has compiled a library of resources for business owners across a variety of industries to provide some direction on best practices for restarting business operations following the COVID-19 economic shutdown. Please be advised that some or all of the information contained in any one of these documents may not be applicable to all businesses or places of work. We strongly recommend that before implementing any of the ideas within these resources, you carefully evaluate, and consult with outside legal counsel as appropriate, the legality, applicability and potential efficacy of the information in your place of business. No member of the West Michigan COVID-19 Business Coalition bears responsibility for any circumstances arising out of or related to the adoption, or decision not to adopt, any of the practices or procedures contained in these resources
GENERAL
RESOURCES
OSHA GUIDANCE ON PREPARING WORKPLACES FOR COVID-19
An interactive guide to help employers identify risk levels in workplace settings and to determine any appropriate control measures to implement.
PLAYBOOK DETAILS
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) developed this COVID-19 planning guidance based on traditional infection prevention and industrial hygiene practices. It focuses on the need for employers to implement engineering, administrative, and work practice controls and personal protective equipment (PPE), as well as considerations for doing so.
IDEAL FOR: Businesses in all industries
Open in the PDF viewer or download here.
U.S. CHAMBER OF COMMERCE: IMPLEMENTING A NATIONAL RETURN TO WORK PLAN
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has compiled an online resource to help businesses begin thinking about what returning to work will look like for them. The resource is broken down into three sections: Essential Services & Resources, Resolution of Regulatory & Legal Liability Issues, and Support for Businesses & Individuals.

RESOURCE DETAILS
To help business and government anticipate the challenges we may face, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce has begun to explore and catalogue some of the major implications of returning to work in this environment—ranging from workplace safety and employee rights to liability concerns and continued revenue disruptions.
IDEAL FOR: Businesses in all industries
Find the resource on the U.S. Chamber of Commerce website here.
GOVERNOR GRETCHEN WHITMER'S
MI SAFE START PLAN
A plan to re-engage Michigan's economy while continuing to keep communities safe.
PLAN DETAILS
Governor Gretchen Whitmer's MI Safe Start Plan outlines how we will begin to re-engage while continuing to keep our communities safe. Re-engagement will happen in phases. Those businesses that are necessary to protect and sustain life are already open. As we move into lower-risk phases, additional business categories will re-open and the restrictions on public gatherings and social interactions will ease.
IDEAL FOR: All businesses
Open in the PDF viewer or download here.
MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF LABOR & ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY RETURN TO WORK GUIDELINES FOR MANUFACTURING
A plan developed by the Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Opportunity (LEO) for manufacturers preparing to return to work.
PLAN DETAILS
LEO has developed a guide of eight steps for employers to keep their workers safe within the hierarchy of controls. It is broken into eight sections: administrative controls, access control, distancing, sanitation, hygiene, PPE, positive case protocols, facility closure.
IDEAL FOR: All businesses
Open in the PDF viewer or download here.
MARKETING RESOURCES FROM EXPERIENCE GRAND RAPIDS
A digital marketing guide and virtual assets to assist companies with refocusing their marketing strategies in the wake of COVID-19.
RESOURCE DETAILS
The Experience Grand Rapids team has created this Digital Marketing Guide to help you ensure that your online presence matches what you have to offer customers
IDEAL FOR: All businesses
Open in the PDF viewer or download here.
DREAM GRAND
Experience Grand Rapid's new promotional campaign invites people to "Dream Grand" -- to imagine all the cool things they can do in Grand Rapids and Kent County when they feel comfortable doing so.
Leverage Experience Grand Rapids' investment in traditional and social media branding by incorporating Dream Grand into your own messaging. View and download the assets here.
SPECTRUM HEALTH EMPLOYER GUIDE
Spectrum Health has prepared an Employer Toolkit to share its expertise and equip businesses with infection prevention advice and practical resources to help increase safety and minimize risk. The toolkit, with components listed below, includes guidance on best practices, resources in multiple languages and more to support a healthy workplace.

RESOURCE DETAILS
The Employer Toolkit contains an online hub for all employer resources available, including an Employer Guide, Employer Hotline, symptom checker, CDC guidelines and frequently asked questions. The Employer Guide offers a foundational primer to help businesses, no matter where they are in the process, whether navigating reopening to the community, welcoming employees back on-site or adapting to a new environment.
IDEAL FOR: Businesses in all industries
Find the resource on the Spectrum Health website here.
KENT COUNTY BACK TO WORK
A collaborative community resource developed by the Kent County Health Department, MSU College of Human Medicine, Spectrum Health, City of Grand Rapids and Meijer.
RESOURCE DETAILS
This collaborative resource was developed to offer guidelines and best practices to aid in lower risk, thoughtful reopening. Navigate the site to find resources on Preparing your Business for Reopening, Communicating with Your Team, Keeping the Workplace Safe, Employee & Customer Protection, Cleaning & Disinfecting, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) & Making your Own Mask.
IDEAL FOR: Businesses in all industries
Find the resource on the Kent County Back to Work site here.
MIOSHA COVID-19 WORKPLACE GUIDELINES
The best practice and guidance information provided in this presentation, follows information and guidance provided through the CDC and OSHA, as of May 4, 2020.
PLAYBOOK DETAILS
The Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA) has developed a guidebook for employers as they begin to navigate reopening amid the Novel coronavirus. The resource includes an Exposure Control Plan, Hygiene & Disinfecting, Reporting, Engineering Controls, Administrative Controls, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and Training.
IDEAL FOR: Businesses in all industries
Open in the PDF viewer or download here.
MILLER CANFIELD REOPENING TOOLKIT FOR BUSINESSES
A robust toolkit developed by the team at Miller Canfield to assist businesses as they begin the process of restarting operations following the COVID-19 economic shutdown.
RESOURCE DETAILS
This resource was developed by the team at Miller Canfield and contains a variety of checklists, guides and more. Utilize the checklists for Bringing Employees Back to the Workplace or Resuming Business Operations/Contract and Finance Considerations, or browse through a list of financial, federal, state and national resources.
IDEAL FOR: Businesses in all industries
Find the resource on the Miller Canfield site.
Mask Mandate: No Mask, No Entry Signs (multiple languages)
In compliance with Governor Gretchen Whitmer's Executive Order 2020-147, businesses that are open to the public must refuse entry and service to individuals who fail to comply with the new mask mandate, and must post signs at all entrances instructing customers of their legal obligation to wear a face covering while inside.
Below are several downloadable PDFs in a variety of languages that businesses may utilize freely to better serve their customers.
MANUFACTURING
RESOURCES
LEAR SAFE WORK PLAYBOOK
An interactive guide for COVID-19 Pandemic Preparedness and Response
PLAYBOOK DETAILS
This playbook was developed by Lear Corporation, a global automotive technology leader in Seating and E-Systems with operations in 39 countries around the world.
The information contained in the Lear Safe Work Playbook represents Lear’s current practices regarding the recommended operation of its manufacturing facilities, where and when permitted by law, during this time of the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic.
IDEAL FOR: Mid- to large manufacturers in all industries
Open in the PDF viewer or download here.
MAGNA SMART START PLAYBOOK
An interactive guide for COVID-19 Pandemic Preparedness and Response
PLAYBOOK DETAILS
Magna is a leading global automotive supplier with 348 manufacturing facilities and 91 product development, engineering and sales centers in 28 countries.
The information contained in the Magna Smart Start Playbook represents our current practices and recommendations for our manufacturing operations and office locations around the world, during this time of the unprecedented COVID 19 pandemic.
IDEAL FOR: Mid- to Large manufacturers in all industries
Open in the PDF viewer or download here.
CASCADE DIE CASTING GROUP, INC. RETURN TO WORK COVID-19 SAFETY PRACTICES
A brief summary of protocols and procedures begin implemented by Cascade Die Casting Group to protect employees from COVID-19 in the workplace
PLAYBOOK DETAILS
To protect employees from continued spread of COVID-19, Cascade Die Casting Group has compiled a document outlining new practices and procedures that are to be implemented within the workplace.
IDEAL FOR: Small to mid-sized manufacturers in all industries
Open in the PDF viewer or download here.
QUAD SAFE-AT-WORK PROGRAM
A brief summary of protocols and procedures begin implemented by Quad to protect employees from COVID-19 in the workplace
PLAYBOOK DETAILS
Quad's Safe-At-Work program provides for the health and safety of its employees while they continue to meet the needs of their customers and clients.
IDEAL FOR: Small to mid-sized manufacturers
Open in the PDF viewer or download here.
FOOD SERVICE
RESOURCES
RAPID GROWTH: HOW TO HELP YOUR RESTAURANT SURVIVE THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC
This article is a recap of Michigan SBDC Business Consultant John Schmitt's presentation “Sustaining Your Restaurant Business During COVID-19.” You can find the webinar along with other COVID-19 support content by going to sbdcmichigan.org/small-business-covid19/

RESOURCE DETAILS
Relief programs are being launched daily to help small businesses recover from the economic fallout of the health crisis. Explore the options, but do not make any reactive decisions. Take time to assess your situation and try to find the best course of action. In the meantime, here are four things you can do to stay open during the crisis and recovery period.
IDEAL FOR: Restaurants
Read the article on the Rapid Growth website here.
COVID-19 AND RETAIL FOOD, BEVERAGE AND OTHER RELATED SERVICE VENUES
A compilation of recommendations for various types of businesses in the food service industry, created by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH).
RESOURCE DETAILS
This is not an exhaustive list of all food and beverage sites that should utilize social distancing, and does not relate to manufacturing or production of beer and wine. The CDPH guidance has sanitation, personal hygiene, and social distancing as an important foundation for the prevention of COVID-19 in these venues.
This resource provides guidance for bars, wineries, breweries, pubs, restaurants/cafeterias, food trucks, grocery stores, certified farmers’ markets, and charitable food distribution sites.
IDEAL FOR: A wide range of food service related businesses
Open in the PDF viewer or download here.
BREWERS ASSOCIATION CHECKLIST FOR REOPENING GUIDE
A detailed checklist from the Brewer's Association on standard operating procedures and best practices recommended for resuming operations.
RESOURCE DETAILS
Reopening your brewery amid a health crisis presents a set of challenges new to nearly every business owner. Prior to opening, regulators will want assurances that you understand and have considered potential problem areas, have adapted your service model to safeguard customer and employee health, and have implemented practices that mitigate viral exposure.
An effective plan will communicate how your business is minimizing risk and should instill confidence in your customers and staff. With that in mind, it is critical to thoroughly prepare for a public opening prior to allowing patrons back into your brewery.
IDEAL FOR: Breweries, distilleries and similar operations
Open in the PDF viewer or download here.
MICHIGAN RESTAURANT & LODGING ASSOCIATION ROADMAP TO REOPENING
The Michigan Restaurant & Lodging Association (MRLA) “Roadmap to Reopening” is a guidance document designed to help Michigan restaurants prepare to reopen their dining rooms amid new federal and state regulations, and with new expectations of safety by the general public.
RESOURCE DETAILS
The MRLA has combined guidance from the Center for Disease Control (CDC), Federal Drug Administration (FDA), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), National Restaurant Association (NRA), Executive Orders from Governor Gretchen Whitmer and our work with the Michigan Economic Recovery Council (MERC).
IDEAL FOR: Restaurants
Find the resource on the Michigan Restaurant & Lodging Association (MRLA) website here.
GARDEN/LANDSCAPING
RESOURCES
GARDEN CENTER/RETAIL GREENHOUSE
A brief list of protocols and practices for consideration
RESOURCE DETAILS
This brief list of suggested practices and protocols are intended to be a base set of guidelines for businesses that operate garden centers or for retail greenhouses, but can also be applied broadly in many retail environments.
Suggestions made pertain to keeping both customers and staff safe when restarting business operations.
IDEAL FOR: Businesses with garden centers or designated retail greenhouses.
Open in the PDF viewer or download here.
LANDSCAPING
A brief list of protocols and practices for consideration
RESOURCE DETAILS
This brief list of suggested practices and protocols are intended to be a base set of guidelines for individuals that operate landscaping businesses.
Suggestions made pertain to keeping both clients and staff safe when restarting business operations.
IDEAL FOR: Landscaping/lawn care businesses
Open in the PDF viewer or download here.
SPAS/SALONS
RESOURCES
GUIDANCE FOR PERSONAL CARE BUSINESSES: SPAS & TANNING SALONS
A brief list of recommended protocols for spas & salons compiled by the Oklahoma Chamber of Commerce
RESOURCE DETAILS
This brief list of suggested practices and protocols from the Oklahoma Chamber of Commerce are intended to be a base set of guidelines for individuals who own and operate tanning salons and spas.
Suggestions made pertain to keeping both clients and staff safe when restarting business operations.
IDEAL FOR: Spas and tanning salons
Open in the PDF viewer or download here.
GUIDANCE FOR PERSONAL CARE BUSINESSES: HAIR & NAIL SALONS
A brief list of recommended protocols for hair & nail salons and barbershops, compiled by the Oklahoma Chamber of Commerce
RESOURCE DETAILS
This brief list of suggested practices and protocols from the Oklahoma Chamber of Commerce are intended to be a base set of guidelines for individuals who own and operate salons of all types.
Suggestions made pertain to keeping both clients and staff safe when restarting business operations.
IDEAL FOR: Hair & nail salons, barbershops
Open in the PDF viewer or download here.