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How to safely reopen your business

Welcoming customers as lockdowns ease — in all 50 states.

Ryan Brinks

Amy Stoltenberg

Updated Jun 3, 2020. What changed?

Fact checked

See rules by state See supplies list

As states around the country begin opening up after the last few weeks of quarantine, many retailers could be on the verge of breathing a sigh of relief. However, conducting business is likely to look different, as governments are encouraging — and in some cases requiring — heightened safety precautions to help slow the spread of COVID-19. Maintaining open communication with your employees about coronavirus concerns can help you adapt as a business owner and respond to their needs.

At a glance

Top three steps for reopening:

Make a plan and train your staff.
Communicate with customers.
Stock up on supplies for protection and sanitation.

Supplies for reopening:

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When should I reopen my business?

It depends on your state and regional guidelines. After your local government gives the green light to business owners to reopen, it’s up to you as the owner to devise and implement a plan that considers the safety of your employees and customers.

The CDC recommends that businesses reopen only when they are “ready to protect employees at a higher risk for illness,” which means that precautions are in place and you’ve developed a system for monitoring employee symptoms. From a staffing perspective, keep in mind that you’ll need to be prepared to send sick employees home.

Resources from the CDC

Official guidelines can be a handy way of ensuring all your boxes are checked before and during the reopening process.

Here’s a roundup of helpful links:

Workplace decision tool. A step-by-step guide to help business owners determine whether they’re ready to reopen.
Communities, schools, workplaces and events. A hub of articles with reopening tips for organizations from churches to colleges and universities.
Worker safety and support. Health and safety practices for specific occupations, including transit workers, grocery delivery services and meat processors.
Guidance for cleaning and disinfecting. Tips for doing what you can to prevent the coronavirus from lingering in your place of business.

How to safely reopen your business

State and local governments are setting their own policies for what is and isn’t required for a business to reopen. While states like New York require businesses to provide masks for its employees and patrons, others leave it up to each business owner. Likewise, the maximum occupancy for retail and restaurants differs among states.

Consider seven steps to shoring up a successful and safe reopening when lockdown restrictions ease.

1. Write out a reopening plan.

Carefully read the reopening guidance for your county or state and write out the steps necessary to meet them. Your local government or chamber of commerce website may provide plan templates and other tools to help.

Your state may require you to post a safe reopening plan at the entrance to your business. And you’ll likely need to post signage and policies for employee protection, social distancing, cleaning and disinfecting.

2. Communicate with your customers.

It may be more difficult to maintain contact with your customers during lockdown, but technology can help you keep an ear to the ground. Many businesses are inviting interaction and feedback on private Facebook groups to gain a better understanding of customer needs and concerns. By talking directly with the public online, you can hear about what might keep them from returning to your business and explore ways to address those concerns together.

Consider other ways that technology can help. Depending on your business or industry, virtual appointments or televisits can help you meet your customers halfway, as does delivery or curbside pickup to limit in-person interaction. When it’s time for in-person interaction with customers, live chat or text messages can communicate what to expect and whether there’s anything you need them to do.

3. Take it one step at a time.

Under the circumstances, business-as-usual is anything. Local authorities are encouraging businesses to allow employees to work from home when possible. In states where only limited reopening is authorized, restaurants and businesses are limited to delivery and curbside pickup. And many businesses are reopening with limited hours to accommodate extra cleaning or other safety measures, further limiting staff capacity.

If you aren’t yet set up for contactless payments, many companies allow merchants to sign up and begin accepting mobile or online payments quickly. Contactless card readers not only make ordering online or by phone more efficient, but they’re also a safe option for in-person payments when you fully open your doors.

4. Rearrange your physical spaces.

Social distancing is a major part of state reopening plans, and you’ll need to think about how you’ll manage long lines and crowding to prevent confusion or discomfort among your employees and customers.

Your city or state may require you to install spacial markers to help customers stay at a safe distance or implement density restrictions designed to keep spaces from becoming crowded. If you run a storefront, that could include one-way traffic directions for narrow aisles. Physical barriers may also be required to protect your employees behind the counter.

5. Provide your staff with tools for protection.

The CDC recommends business owners to provide their employees with access to:

Face coverings, including bulk disposable masks or reusable cloth masks to protect your workers.
Hand-washing stations complete with soap, running water and a method for drying their hands.
Hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
Disinfectant wipes to help with frequent cleaning of high-touch surfaces.
Tissues and a no-touch trash receptacle for easy disposal of used materials.
Sneeze guards or versatile clear barriers to protect customers and staff in stores.

If you own a business where social distancing isn’t feasible, consider providing gear for specialized protection. For example, stylists at barber shops and beauty salons might use disposable paper capes, safety glasses or even face shields.

Our top picks for protecting staff and customers

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Maintaining open communication with your employees about coronavirus concerns can help you adapt as a business owner and respond to their needs.

6. Screen staff for symptoms.

The CDC requires business owners to “actively encourage sick employees to stay home.”

To meet this requirement, many state and local governments are requiring that employers screen employees for COVID-19 symptoms before a shift, which could include filling out a survey or taking a daily temperature. Nonessential businesses may be held to more stringent standards. For example, noncritical retailers in Colorado are required to conduct daily temperature checks and monitor symptoms for all employees.

7. Train your staff on safety.

Many businesses are hosting trainings for staff prior to reopening. Agendas include ironing out logistics for safely taking temperatures, wearing masks properly, hand-washing and cleaning protocols and tips to enforcing social distancing and other policies.

Weigh the benefits of taking on the liabilities of disinfecting and cleaning your business on your own — such as implementing fogging or disinfecting systems — or contracting out a professional cleaning company.

State-by-state list of businesses that can reopen

Find out what businesses can reopen in your state

State	Types of businesses that can reopen	Official state guidelines
Alabama	Retail stores Restaurants and bars Hair salons Entertainment venues Summer camps and educational institutions Hospitals and nursing homes have restricted visitation	Learn more
Alaska	All businesses All houses of worship and religious gatherings All libraries and museums All recreational and sports activities Senior centers, prisons and institutions have limited visitation	Learn more
Arizona	Retail businesses Hair salons and barber shops by appointment only Dine-in at restaurants and coffee shops Gyms, pools and spas Movie theaters Casinos Shopping malls Places of worship	Learn more
Arkansas	Hair salons, barber shops, nail salons, massage therapy, body art and medical spa services Gyms and fitness centers Dine-in restaurant services Some state parks Outdoor gatherings — including parks and athletic fields Indoor venues — including theaters, arenas, stadiums and auction houses	Learn more
California	Lower-risk businesses — including bookstores, clothing stores, florists, sporting good stores and outdoor museums Places of worship and in-store retailers at limited capacity In some counties — sports venues, gyms, dine-in restaruants, bars and nightclubs, salons and barbershops, movie theaters and concert venues	Learn more
Colorado	In-person dining at restaurants Retail businesses Personal care services Elective medical, dental and veterinary procedures can resume Offices can reopen at 50% capacity Childcare facilities Reservations at campgrounds in state parks Private campsites Children’s day camps and youth sports camps Short-term rentals Real estate showings	Learn more
Connecticut	Restaurants Retail stores Offices Social and recreational gatherings of 5 or fewer people	Learn more
Delaware	Restaurants and bars Small retail stores and malls Places of worship Gyms Barber shops, hair salons and tanning salons Beaches, pools and parks Casinos	Learn more
Florida	Restaurants Retail stores Barber shops and salons Gyms and fitness centers Some beaches and state parks Museums and libraries Sports venues Vacation rentals Long-term care facilities	Learn more
Georgia	Dine-in restaurants Bars, nightclubs and private social clubs Barber shops and salons Gyms and fitness centers Bowling alleys Body art studios	Learn more
Hawaii	Dine-in restaurants Shopping malls and retail stores Personal services Nonfood agriculture Auto dealerships and car washes Licensed childcare services Pet grooming services Observatories Repair services Select state parks Indoor gathering places and exercise facilities Museums and theaters In-person summer school programs for high-need students Library book curbside pickup	Learn more
Idaho	Stage 1 Places of worship Daycares Organized youth activities and day camps Stage 2 Dine-in restaurants Salons Indoor gyms Recreational facilities Fishing and hunting licenses, tags and permits resumed Stage 3 Bars, breweries, wineries and distilleries Outdoor pools, splash pads and waterparks Movie theaters Gatherings up to 50 people	Learn more
Illinois	Some bars and restaurants with outdoor dining only Some retail stores Some outdoor sports Some barber shops, hair salons and tattoo parlors Some gyms — but only for outdoor classes and personal training Some childcare and summer programs Some state parks Gatherings of 10 people or fewer are allowed in some areas Chicago won’t partially reopen until June 3rd.	Learn more
Indiana	Restaurants Retail stores and malls Places of worship Gyms, fitness centers and community sports facilities and pools Hair salons, barber shops, nail salons, spas and tattoo parlors Public libraries Beaches Campgrounds, youth camps and daycares State parks Social gatherings of up to 100 people	Learn more
Iowa	Restaurants and bars Fitness centers Retail stores and malls Places of worship Barber shops, salons, tattoo parlors, tanning salons and massage services Medical spas Libraries Race tracks Move theaters, zoos, aquariums and museums State parks Wedding reception venues School-sponsored learning and activities	Learn more
Kansas	Some restaurants Some childcare facilities Some personal service businesses Some fitness centers and health clubs Some indoor leisure spaces and community centers Some libraries Some casinos Some organized sports facilities No gatherings of more than 15 people are recommended	Learn more
Kentucky	Restaurants Fitness centers and aquatic centers Places of worship Movie theaters and bowling alleys Auctions Auto and dirt bike racetracks Fishing tournaments Kentucky State Park lodges	Learn more
Louisiana	Restaurants Bars and breweries with food permits Gyms and fitness centers Shopping malls Places of worship Barber shops, hair salons and nail salons Casinos and theaters Racetracks — without spectators Museums, zoos and aquariums	Learn more
Maine	Outdoor and indoor dining in some areas Barber shops and hair salons Retail stores Lodging Day camps State park campgrounds Community sports	Learn more
Maryland	Outdoor dining at restaurants Retail stores Houses of worship Outdoor recreation — including small group sports, fishing, hunting and exercising at state parks Outdoor pools Youth day camps Drive-in movie theaters	Learn more
Massachusetts	Takeout at restaurants Libraries and retail stores with curbside pickup Places of worship Barber shops Outdoor recreation — including golf, fishing, hunting and exercising in parks Drive-in movie theaters	Learn more
Michigan	Takeout at restaurants and bars — or dine-in services in some areas Retail shopping by appointment only Outdoor recreation Social gatherings limited to 10 people	Learn more
Minnesota	Restaurants and bars with outdoor dining Retail stores and malls Barber shops, cosmetology services and tattoo parlors Houses of worship Pools and outdoor recreation	Learn more
Mississippi	All businesses All restaurants and bars All barber shops, cosmetology services and tattoo parlors All gyms All libraries, museums and movie theaters Summer school, outdoor recreation and large venues can reopen with restrictions Gatherings are limited to 20 people indoors and 50 people outdoors — or 50 people indoors and 100 people outdoors with social distancing	Learn more
Missouri	Dine-in services at restaurants and bars Retail stores Barber shops and cosmetology services Places of worship Gyms Movie theaters, stadiums, festivals and outdoor recreation Summer school	Learn more
Montana	Restaurants, bars, breweries and distilleries Main street and retail businesses Gyms, indoor group fitness classes, pools and hot tubs Places of worship Schools have the option to reopen Casinos, theaters and museums Concert halls and bowling alleys Childcare facilities Gatherings limited to maximum of 50 people	Learn more
Nebraska	In all of the state Dine-in restaurants Barber shops and cosmetology services Gyms Houses of worship Social gatherings limited to 25 people In most of the state Bars Stadiums and large venues Libraries and movie theaters Low-contact sports leagues can begin practice	Learn more
Nevada	Phase 1 Dine-in restaurant service at 50% capacity Retail stores can offer curbside pick up or reopen at 50% capacity Open air malls Cannabis dispensaries can offer curbside pick up or reopen upon approval Drive-in services at places of worship Golf, pickleball and tennis Phase 2 Bar areas in restaurants can reopen Bars and taverns Gyms and fitness facilities Salons and other cosmetology businesses Places of worship with no more than 50 people Massage services, body art and piercing establishments State offices Aquatic facilities, swimming pools and water parks Museums, art galleries, zoos and aquariums Indoor venues like movie theaters, bowling alleys and malls Sporting events, concerts and theater performances with no live audience Youth sports and recreation will be allowed later in Phase 2 Casinos are set to reopen on June 4th Private gathering limits increase to 50 people	Learn more
New Hampshire	Outdoor dining at restaurants Retails stores Places of worship Gyms and beaches Barber shops, tattoo parlors and other cosmetology services Drive-in movie theaters Golf courses State parks and campgrounds Summer camps may reopen June 22	Learn more
New Jersey	Restaurants and nonessential businesses for curbside pickup Car dealerships and bike shops Outdoor recreational businesses — including golf ranges, tennis clubs and community gardens Outdoor gatherings are limited to 25 people	Learn more
New Mexico	Dine-in services at restaurants — with bar and counter seating prohibited Retail stores Gyms — with no group fitness classes Nail salons, barber shops, massage services and tattoo parlors Houses of worship Phased reopening of state parks Indoor malls — with food courts closed Drive-in theaters Hotels Partial reopening of the New Mexico Motor Vehicle Division	Learn more
New York	Retail stores for pickup in all regions but NYC In-store retail and barber shops in some regions Outdoor recreation, state beaches and drive-in movie theaters with social distancing measures	Learn more
North Carolina	Dine-in restaurants Retail stores Barber shops and cosmetology services Stadiums, pools, parks and summer camps Social gatherings are limited to 10 people indoors and 25 people outdoors	Learn more
North Dakota	Dine-in services at restaurants and bars Retail stores Barber shops and cosmetology services Places of worship Gyms and parks Movie theaters, sports arenas, concert halls and other large entertainment venues Summer schools Social gatherings limited to 250 people	Learn more
Ohio	Dine-in restaurants and bars Retail stores Gyms and low-contact sports Barber shops and cosmetology services Most outdoor recreations — including beaches and campgrounds Places of worship	Learn more
Oklahoma	Dine-in restaurants and bars Retail stores Gyms Barber shops and cosmetology services Outdoor recreation and concerts Festivals and summer camps Places of worship Movie theaters and sporting venues	Learn more
Oregon	Dine-in services at restaurants and bars Retail businesses Personal care services, like salons and gyms Grocery stores and pharmacies Banks and credit unions Gas stations Child care Summer school Camps and youth programs Inland state parks, outdoor recreation facilities and ski areas Non-urgent medical and veterinary procedures	Learn more
Pennsylvania	Open statewide Golf courses Fishing trips Private campgrounds Varies by county Some dine-in restaurants and bars Some gyms Some barber shops Some entertainment venues — including movie theaters and malls	Learn more
Rhode Island	Dine-in restaurants and bars Retail businesses and malls Houses of worship Barber shops and cosmetology services Gyms State parks and beaches Social gatherings limited to 15 people Youth sports and summer camps are set to resume June 29th	Learn more
South Carolina	Dine-in restaurants Gyms Barber shops and cosmetology services Entertainment venues — including museums, zoos and amusement parks Youth and adult sports leagues can begin practice, with competitions starting June 15th	Learn more
South Dakota	Most restaurants Most retail centers Most houses of worship Most barber shops Most entertainment venues However, some counties have issued their own orders closing nonessential businesses.	Learn more
Tennessee	Restaurants and bars Places of worship Retail businesses Barber shops and cosmetology services by appointment only Large entertainment venues — including movie theaters, amusement parks and museums	Learn more
Texas	Restaurants and bars Places of worship Retail businesses Cosmetology services and barber shops Gyms Movie theaters, museums and libraries Summer camps Educational institutions can start summer classes Practices for recreational sports — with competitions starting June 15th	Learn more
Utah	Dine-in restaurants and bars Malls and retail stores Personal care services Gyms and swimming pools State parks Youth and club team sports Driver’s education classes Elective health procedures Private social interactions of 20 or 50 people depending on phase	Learn more
Vermont	Outdoor dining at restaurants Retail businesses Places of worship Barber shops and cosmetology services by appointment only Gyms Curbside checkout at libraries Farmers markets Theaters Outdoor recreation — including parks and golf course Social gatherings limited to 25 people Residential summer camps can reopen June 7th	Learn more
Virginia	Restaurants Retail businesses Barber shops and cosmetology services Houses of worship Beaches and parks Exercise facilities can offer outdoor services Campgrounds are open for reservations No public or private gatherings of more than 10 people	Learn more
Washington	Phase 1 Retail stores can offer curbside pickup Landscaping companies Pet walkers Low-risk existing construction projects Fishing, hunting and golfing with safety precautions Day use of state parks and state public lands Host up to 100 people for outdoor religious services Car and boat dealerships Low-risk higher education and critical workforce training work Car washes after meeting specific criteria Phase 2 Dine-in restaurants and taverns Personal care and professional services Fitness and training operations Fitness activities with limited groups Host up to 25% of their capacity or 50 individuals for in-door religious services Outdoor recreation activities can resume in line with guidance — including guided ATVs, paddle sports, horseback riding, tennis, guided fishing, go-carting, motocross and participant-only motorsports Additional golf activities Professional photography services Pet grooming Elective health services In-person real estate operations New construction work	Learn more
Washington, DC	Restaurants with outdoor seating Retail businesses for curbside pickup or delivery Barber shops and hair salons by appointment only Parks and dog parks Golf courses, tennis courts, and track and fields Gatherings limited to 10 or fewer people	Learn more
West Virginia	Restaurants and bars Places of worship Barber shops and cosmetology services Gyms Retail stores and malls Outdoor recreation and pools Museums and drive-in theaters Movie theaters and casinos are set to reopen on June 5th Low-contact youth sports are set to resume June 8th	Learn more
Wisconsin	Restaurants and bars Retails businesses Places of worship Gyms Barber shops and cosmetology services However, some counties have created their own guidelines on business reopenings.	Learn more
Wyoming	Restaurants with limited capacity Gyms Personal care services — including barber shops and hair salons Gyms can reopen locker rooms, personal training and group classes at limited capacity Childcare and home daycare centers Movie theaters and performance venues with limited capacity Phased reopening of Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks Devil’s Tower National Monument reopened with limited services Elective surgeries at hospitals and health care providers Outdoor gatherings of up to 250 people	Learn more

Bottom line

The key to reopening your business in a post-lockdown world is developing a plan that meets local guidelines and enlisting the help of your employees to help your business stick to it. Arming your staff and customers with safety information and protective gear is necessary, and reaching out to the public early through social media or other technology can help you answer concerns and foster collaboration before you reopen your doors.

Learn more about keeping your business running in our coronavirus business guides, including tips to converting your storefront to the Internet and borrowing to stay afloat.

Frequently asked questions

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Ryan Brinks

As the assistant publisher of banking and investing at Finder, Ryan Brinks melds more than a decade of experience in business news and online content into creating comprehensive and helpful comparisons of the companies you trust your money with. He loves to innovate and put money to work while keeping a careful eye on managing risk. Beyond work, Ryan's also passionate about his family and serving his community.

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How to safely reopen your business

Welcoming customers as lockdowns ease — in all 50 states.

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