COVID-19 - Information and Resources for Michigan LibrariesReopening GraphicsNeed a graphic to share updated library guidelines and expectations with your community? Download any of our reopening graphics for libraries. Feel free to use these on social media, your website or printed signs in your library!
NewsDuring this rapidly changing situation, we are actively monitoring legislation and regulations related to COVID-19. View the latest news and announcements as we keep you informed. View the Latest NewsCoronavirus Orders and Workplace Protocols: What MLA is Monitoring as of Dec. 7Michigan Department of Health and Human ServicesEmergency Order under MCL 333.2253 – Gatherings and Face Mask Order UPDATED -- On Monday, December 7, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) extended the Gatherings and Face Mask Order by 12 days. This order takes effect on December 9, 2020, at 12:01 AM, at which time the November 18, 2020, order entitled Gatherings and Face Mask Order is rescinded. This order remains in effect through December 20, 2020 at 11:59 PM. On Sunday, November 15, Governor Whitmer and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) issued a new emergency order that tightens restrictions on indoor social gatherings and group activities for three weeks in an effort to curb transmission of COVID-19. Of critical note to Libraries: Libraries and Museums will be able to remain open with 30% capacity. The epidemic order also references the MiOSHA rules of October 14 which also restricts in-person work unless doing that work remotely is impossible. The epidemic order will go into effect on Wednesday, November 18 at 12:01am for 3 weeks until December 8. Other restrictions include:
Learn more: https://www.michigan.gov/coronavirus/0,9753,7-406-98178_98455-545136--,00.html State of MichiganMichigan Safe Start Map and Dashboard The State of Michigan has created a dashboard, which is available online that provides data regarding the situation in your local region and state. This dashboard uses the MERC regions. The map of the state shows a Risk Level in shades of purple and the range includes six levels from the lowest level of “Low” up to the highest level of “E”. On November 12 the MI Safe Start dashboard showed the entire state of Michigan at the highest risk level of “E”. Learn more: https://www.mistartmap.info Department of Labor and Economic OpportunityMichigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA) General Rules Emergency Rules Effective October 14, 2020, the legislature has declared that “all employees shall be provided safe and healthful work environments free of recognized hazards.” Employers must provide employees with “a place of employment that is free from recognized hazards that are causing, or are likely to cause, death or serious physical harm to the employee. Employers are required to create a policy prohibiting in-person work for employees to the extent that their work activities can feasibly be completed remotely. Employers shall evaluate routine and reasonably anticipated tasks and procedures and categorize into low, medium, high and very high exposure. All employers must develop, implement, and distribute/publish a written COVID-19 preparedness and response plan, consistent with the CDC recommendations (including handwashing, face coverings, six-foot distance, signage, etc.) Employers shall outline basic infection prevention measures for all employees and conduct health surveillance on a daily basis (including record keeping.) Employers shall provide all employees with PPE necessary to do their jobs and shall provide training to employees on the use of PPE and infection control practices Specific to Libraries – Rule 9 Section 3: Retail stores that are open for in-store sales, as well as libraries and museums, must: (a) Create communications material for customers (e.g., signs or pamphlets) to inform them of changes to store practices and to explain the precautions the store is taking to prevent infection.
(b) Require patrons to wear a face covering (unless the patron is unable medically to tolerate a face covering).
(c) Post signs at store entrances instructing customers to wear a face covering when inside the store.
(d) Post signs at store entrances informing customers not to enter if they are or have recently been sick.
(e) Design spaces and store activities in a manner that encourages employees and customers to maintain 6 feet of distance from one another.
(f) Install physical barriers at check out or other service points that require close interaction, including plexiglass barriers, tape markers, or tables.
(g) Establish an enhanced cleaning and sanitizing protocol for high-touch areas like restrooms, credit-card machines, keypads, counters, shopping carts, and other surfaces.]
Learn more: https://www.michigan.gov/documents/leo/Final_MIOSHA_Rules_705164_7.pdf Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA) Guidance on Remote Work The responsibility to maintain a safe workplace is paramount, and strongly suggests that employers should allow their employees to work from home if possible. In order to minimize the presence of individuals gathered in work settings where COVID-19 may spread, employers should only permit in-person work when attendance is strictly required to perform job duties. Learn more: https://www.michigan.gov/documents/coronavirus/2021105_Guidance_for_employers_707083_7.pdf Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA)Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19 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. This guidance is intended for planning purposes. Employers and workers should use this planning guidance to help identify risk levels in workplace settings and to determine any appropriate control measures to implement. Additional guidance may be needed as COVID-19 outbreak conditions change, including as new information about the virus, its transmission, and impacts, becomes available. Learn more: https://www.osha.gov/Publications/OSHA3990.pdf Center for Disease Control Guidance (CDC)As COVID-19 continues to spread across the country and the world, we all must remain vigilant. The changes we have had to make to routines and daily life are extremely hard, but these changes are even more important now and in the future. We must stop the spread of this new and dangerous virus. The more steps you and your family can take to prevent the spread of COVID-19, the safer you will be. Along with other guidance, follow these three important rules to slow the spread:
Learn more: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/your-health/need-to-know.html ResourcesPhased-in Plan Resources and ExamplesWe urge you to read through the questions for reopening that have been compiled by the 11 library cooperatives across Michigan. This is a very extensive list of questions that all libraries should be asking and addressing as they create their phased-in reopening plans. It is attached here for your perusal. Library of Michigan East Lansing Public Library American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA) Please note resources are provided for information purposes only and are not legal advice. MLA Connect
MLA Connect provides virtual education and engagement opportunities you can access from anywhere to keep you connected to the library community in Michigan. Check out archived webinars and coffee hours. Please note recordings are provided for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal advice. Additional Information and Resources▪ CDC When and How to Wash your hands ▪ CDC How to Protect Yourself and Others ▪ CDC Stop the Spread of Germs ▪ EPA Approved Cleaning and Disinfecting Supplies and Procedures ▪ FDA Best Practices for Pick-up/Delivery Services ▪ Michigan.gov Coronavirus Information ▪ GovernorWhitmer’s MISafeStartPlan ▪ Governor Whitmer’s Executive Orders If you are laid off as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak, you can apply for unemployment assistance online. Visit www.michigan.gov/UIA to file a claim. You will need your Social Security number, driver's license number, names and addresses of employers over the last 18 months, quarterly earnings, last day of employment at each place, employer's federal ID number and alien registration number if you aren't a U.S. citizen. Normally, you must register for work at Michigan Works! but this rule has been suspended to make it easier for those affected by the novel coronavirus to receive benefits. Read the press release here. The Centers for Disease Control provides updates on the virus and safety information for the public and healthcare professionals. The State of Michigan provides updates on the disease's spread within the state, as well as frequently asked questions available here. The State Department provides a list of travel advisories for those who are planning to fly outside of the United States. American Association of Law Libraries American Library Association American Library Association's Public Programs Office Association for Library Service to Children Association of College and Research Libraries Association of Research Libraries Foundation for Advancement in Conservation Library of Congress Medical Library Association National Center for Preservation Technology and Training National Network of Libraries of Medicine Northeast Document Conservation Center Public Library Association Small Business Administration Society of American Archivists Urban Library Council |