Preventing Transmission of Respiratory Viruses in Businesses and Congregate Settings

Businesses and congregate settings can play an important role in reducing the spread of respiratory viruses, including COVID-19, flu, and RSV. 

Each year, respiratory viruses cause millions of illnesses and result in thousands of hospitalizations and deaths. This can have a big impact on businesses that rely on a healthy workforce. It can also have an impact on congregate settings, such as group homes and correctional facilities, where illnesses can rapidly spread.  

This webpage does not apply to healthcare settings.  

There are core prevention actions that can be taken to protect from health risks caused by respiratory viruses. Businesses and congregate settings can take additional steps outlined below to protect the health of their employees, visitors, members, and residents. 

Download a helpful Recommendations for Businesses flyer (available in multiple languages). 

Encourage Vaccination 

• Encourage employees and patrons to be up to date on their recommended vaccines, including seasonal flu and COVID-19 vaccines. 
• Promote vaccines by offering an onsite vaccination clinic.  
• Use employee newsletters, posters, and other communication materials to provide locations and resources for flu and COVID-19 vaccinations.   
• Create flexible policies that give employees time to get vaccinated.  

Encourage Employees and Patrons to Stay Home When Sick 

• Encourage employees and patrons to stay home if they are sick 
  • Employees should not return to work until for at least 24 hours: they do not have a fever without the use of fever-reducing medicine AND their symptoms are getting better overall.  
• Provide employees with paid time off and develop flexible leave and telework policies to support workers who need to stay home because they are sick or are caring for sick family members. 
• Adopt flexible cancellation or refund policies for customers who are sick. 

Maintain a Healthy Environment 

• Make sure your facilities are equipped with areas for handwashing, as well as tissues, soap, paper towels, alcohol-based hand rubs, and disposable wipes.   
• Place hand sanitizer dispensers with at least 60 percent alcohol near frequently touched surfaces and in areas where soap and water are not easily accessible, such as near elevators, shared equipment, and building entrances and exits. 
• Regularly clean frequently touched objects and surfaces, including doorknobs, keyboards, and phones to help remove germs.   
• Encourage healthy respiratory habits with signage and reminders.  
  • VDH's Respiratory Communication Toolkit has social media resources and flyers that can be posted in the workplace.  
• Improve air quality by bringing in fresh outside air, purifying indoor air, or gathering outdoors. Cleaner air can reduce the risk of exposure to viruses. 

Monitor and Report Respiratory Illnesses

• Monitor trends of respiratory virus activity  to know when enhanced prevention strategies (e.g., increased physical distancing) might be needed.   
• Report potential outbreaks or needs to your local health department.  Congregate settings licensed or operated by any agency of the Commonwealth, like assisted living facilities, correctional or other detention facilities, mental health programs, and other group settings are required to report suspected outbreaks. suspected outbreaks. 
  • VDH Online Reporting Portal for Outbreaks  
  • Template letter for communicating with employees during an outbreak [Customizable]