A list of small business COVID-19 regulations by state

With COVID-19 cases rising across the country, states are imposing restrictions and health and safety guidelines on how to operate your business.

Restrictions to prevent further spreading look different from state to state. Some states have a face covering requirement for employees to protect the health of customers and coworkers. Other state laws recommend masks but also require social distancing. These types of regulations can include physical distance between tables as well as barstools at restaurants. 

What regulations are in place in your state in light of our new normal to prevent the spread of COVID-19? Are there any cleaning and disinfecting rules, or mandatory closures, you should know about? We compiled a list of guidelines by state that dictate capacity limits as well as sanitation rules and more. 

Remember, your local guidance may be different from what your state says. Be sure to keep an eye out for updates in your county as well as your city on any imposed public health regulations. 

Federal recommendations

The White House released Opening Up America Again guidelines for states, individuals, and employers working to reopen their businesses. First, the employer guidelines remind you to “develop and implement appropriate policies” that follow federal, state, and local regulations” for the following areas.

We included helpful links to help you create your policies:

• Social distancing and protective equipment
• Temperature checks
• Sanitation
• Use and disinfection of common and high-traffic areas
• Business travel

Additionally, stress the importance of monitoring your workforce for symptoms of illness. The website says not to “allow symptomatic people to physically return to work until cleared by a medical provider.”

It also says to “develop and implement policies and procedures for workforce contact tracing following an employee COVID+ test.”

Reopening guidelines by state