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Guidelines & Ordinance Information
Experiencing COVID-19 symptoms? Think you've been exposed? Contact your health care provider.
Avera Clinic: 605-697-9500
Sanford Clinic: 605-697-1900
Currently Enacted Ordinance: 20-029
In Effect Through February 16, 2021
Emergency Ordinance 20-029 (previously Ordinances 20-007 & 20-010 & 20-029) continues to be in effect. This ordinance outlines safety measures and requirements for the reopening of businesses with reduced occupancy capacities and COVID-19 mitigation strategies. Additional amendments made to the ordinance require an individual to wear a face covering in any indoor business and/or indoor public place and to wear a face covering at any City-sanctioned event unless social distancing of six or more feet can be maintained. Resolution 20-076 provides clarifications of the requirements and exceptions.
Specific Restrictions & Guidelines
All of us want life to return to normal as quickly as possible. However, we must proceed cautiously and with care. Normal may look a little bit different for now. Let's all do our part to stop the spread of COVID-19.
Mask Mandate
All individuals are required to wear a mask in any indoor business and/or indoor public space if six (6) feet or more of social distancing isn’t possible. Exceptions are listed here.
Businesses & Organizations
All businesses and/or organizations must adhere to these guidelines and safety processes and practices based on the nature of services provided. These guidelines address the safety of the public and employees.
Guidelines For:
Bars, Restaurants, Bowling Alleys, Movie Theaters, Other Public Gathering Businesses
- Limit to 10 customers or 50% of the typical building occupancy capacity, whichever is greater.
- Post reduced occupancy capacity in a conspicuous location on the exterior of the business/organization.
- Post public signage instructing customers to stay home if not feeling well.
- Post public signage indicating a regular cleaning and disinfecting schedule.
- Mark specific customer seating as "not available due to social distancing guidelines" in theaters and similar businesses.
- Clean and disinfect high-touch areas and seating between customers.
- No self-service buffets or salad bars; menus must be disposable or regularly sanitized, and condiments must be sanitized between each customer.
- Develop risk mitigation strategies for restrooms or other areas where social distancing requirements are likely to be compromised.
- Limit groups to ten (10) or less and space them six (6) feet apart.
- Screen employees for symptoms at the beginning of every shift.
- Require employees to wear protective masks that cover mouth and nose and to stay home if sick.
Guidelines For:
Grocery Stores, Casinos, Gyms, Other Recreational Facilities
- Limit to 10 customers or 50% of the typical building occupancy capacity, whichever is greater.
- Post reduced occupancy capacity in a conspicuous location on the exterior of the business/organization.
- Post public signage indicating a regular cleaning and disinfecting schedule.
- Develop risk mitigation strategies for restrooms or other areas where social distancing requirements are likely to be compromised.
- Equipment must be wiped down/disinfected before and after each use by customers and/or employees.
- Grocery Stores:
- Provide and clearly mark one-way shopping aisles.
- Provide hand sanitizer locations which are readily available for public use.
- Install a plexiglass, or similar divider where physically possible between the cashier and customer.
Guidelines For:
Salons, Barbershops, Spas, Other Retail Facilities
- Provide for at least six (6) feet of spacing between customers.
- Provide proper social distancing for waiting customers or ask them to wait in their vehicles.
- Encourage that services are offered by appointment only
- Post reduced occupancy capacity in a conspicuous location on the exterior of the business/organization.
- Post public signage indicating a regular cleaning and disinfecting schedule.
- Provide and clearly mark one-way shopping aisles.
- Install a plexiglass, or similar divider where physically possible between the cashier and customer.
- Provide hand sanitizer locations which are readily available for public use.
- Staff and employees must wear masks.
- Equipment must be cleaned before and after each use by customers.
- Develop risk mitigation strategies for restrooms or other areas where social distancing requirements are likely to be compromised.
How many people can you accommodate indoors at this time? Use our Business Capacity Calculator.
City of Brookings Reopening Road Map
Current Phase: Moderate (Phase 3)
The City of Brookings COVID-19 Reopening Road Map is an incremental, multi-phase approach to get Brookings businesses/organizations back open and operational while addressing public safety guidelines to combat the spread of COVID-19. The Road Map provides a color-coded breakdown of a four-phase approach. Each phase is associated with a City ordinance that provides detail related to safety and preventative precautions, recommendations and restrictions. The details for each phase are being informed by economic and health data with combined input from national, state, and local health organizations and experts, community partners, professional organizations, and the public.
SAFETY MEASURE | EMPLOYERS, BUSINESSES & ORGANIZATIONS | INDIVIDUALS/RESIDENTS |
---|---|---|
Physical/Social Distancing/Prohibited Activities | All businesses of public gathering and indoor public recreation and retail including, bars, restaurants, grocery stores, casinos, gyms, museums, bowling alleys, movie and other theaters, concert and music halls, salons, barbershops, spas, and other retail facilities must follow social distancing restrictions which are outlined in Ordinance 20-010 (Revised). Limit to 10 customers or 50% of the typical building occupancy capacity, whichever is greater. Reduced occupancy capacity will be posted in a conspicuous location on the exterior of the business/organization. Install a plexiglass, or similar divider where physically possible between the cashier and customer. Develop risk mitigation strategies for restrooms or other areas where social distancing requirements are likely to be compromised. Provide at least 6 feet of social distancing for customers/waiting customers or ask them to wait in their vehicles. One-way shopping aisles will be provided and clearly marked. Information related to Ordinance 20-010 (Revised) can be viewed by visiting: www.cityofbrookings.org/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/7616 | Staying at home, or current place of residence unless performing essential activities and/or if experiencing illness symptoms is recommended. Limiting any public or private gathering of more than ten people is recommended. Maintaining social distancing of at least six (6) feet from any other person per CDC guidelines, with the exception of family or household members, at all times and as much as reasonably possible is recommended. |
Face Covering/Mask | Bars, restaurants, bowling alleys, movie theaters and other public gathering businesses, as well as salons, barbershops, spas and other retail facilities: Employees and staff will wear protective masks that cover mouth and nose. All other businesses and organizations: Wearing of face coverings/masks by employees is required when in any indoor business and/or indoor public place and at any City-sanctioned event unless social distancing of six (6) feet or more can be maintained. | Wearing of a mask/face covering is required when in any indoor business and/or indoor public place and at any City-sanctioned event unless social distancing of six (6) feet or more can be maintained. |
Hand Washing | Provide hand sanitizer locations which are readily available for public use. Wash hands with soap and water for at least twenty seconds as frequently as possible or use hand sanitizer. Cover coughs or sneezes (into the sleeve or elbow, not hands), and shall refrain from shaking hands. | Washing hands with soap and water for at least twenty seconds as frequently as possible or using hand sanitizer as well as covering coughs or sneezes (into the sleeve or elbow, not hands), and refraining from shaking hands is recommended. |
Disinfecting/Cleaning | Post publicly a regular cleaning and disinfecting schedule which is specific to each business. Perform regular cleaning and disinfecting. | Regular cleaning/disinfecting of high-touch surfaces is recommended. |
Illness Monitoring | Regularly performed temperature checks and symptom monitoring is recommended. Employees/staff shall stay home if they are sick. | Regularly performed temperature checks and symptom monitoring is recommended. Stay home if sick. |
SAFETY MEASURE | EMPLOYERS, BUSINESSES & ORGANIZATIONS | INDIVIDUALS/RESIDENTS |
---|---|---|
Physical/Social Distancing/Prohibited Activities | Resume unrestricted staffing and operations (new safety guidance may be recommended). Employees/staff shall stay home if they are sick. | Resume prior gathering sizes and interactions. Return to new normal (new safety guidance may be recommended). It is recommended that vulnerable populations remain diligent and consider continued social distancing. Stay home if sick. |
Face Covering/Mask | Return to new normal (new safety guidance may be recommended). | Return to new normal (new safety guidance may be recommended). It is recommended that vulnerable populations remain diligent and consider continued use of personal protective equipment (PPE), face coverings/masks. |
Hand Washing | Resume standard guidelines (new safety guidance may be recommended). Provide hand sanitizer locations which are readily available for public use recommended. | Resume standard recommendations (new safety guidance may be recommended). |
Disinfecting/Cleaning | Resume standard guidelines (new safety guidance may be recommended). Posting publicly a regular cleaning and disinfecting schedule, is recommended. | Resume standard cleaning/disinfecting recommendations (new safety guidance may be recommended). |
Illness Monitoring | Resume standard guidelines (new safety guidance may be recommended). Employees/staff shall stay home if they are sick. | Resume standard recommendations (new safety guidance may be recommended). Stay home if sick. |
View/Download information on all four stages [PDF]
SAFETY MEASURE | EMPLOYERS, BUSINESSES & ORGANIZATIONS | INDIVIDUALS/RESIDENTS |
---|---|---|
Physical/Social Distancing/Prohibited Activities | Non-essential businesses and operations which are not deemed essential must cease except minimum basic operations. All businesses/places of public gathering and indoor public recreation and retail including, bars, restaurants, casinos, gyms, museums, bowling alleys, movie and other theaters, concert and music halls, salons, barbershops, spas, and other retail facilities shall be closed. All public and private gatherings of any number of people except those from a single household or living unit are prohibited, except for the limited purposes permitted in Ordinance 20-006. Any gathering of more than ten people is prohibited unless exempted by the ordinance. Essential employees/staff shall stay home if they are sick. A list of all essential businesses and information related to Ordinance 20-006 can be viewed | Stay at home, or current place of residence unless performing essential activities and/or if experiencing illness symptoms. Any public or private gathering of more than ten (10) people is prohibited. Nothing in Ordinance 20-006 prohibits the gathering of members of a single household or residence. Maintain social distancing of at least six (6) feet from any other person, with the exception of family or household members at all times and as much as reasonably possible. Out of state travel is not recommended. Those who have traveled and visitors shall limit movement and gatherings with those outside of their residence upon their return with the exception of performing essential activities for a period of self-quarantine lasting at least fourteen (14) days or self-isolation until any fever or respiratory illness has resolved and they have returned to normal health for at least three (3) days, whichever is longer. |
Face Covering/Mask | Essential business employees shall wear a face covering/mask (also gloves when required). | Wearing of a mask/face covering outside of residence is recommended. Wearing of a mask/face covering when member(s) of household are sick is recommended. |
Hand Washing | Essential business employees: shall wash hands with soap and water for at least twenty seconds as frequently as possible or use hand sanitizer. They will cover coughs or sneezes (into the sleeve or elbow, not hands), and shall refrain from shaking hands. | Washing hands with soap and water for at least twenty seconds as frequently as possible or using hand sanitizer as well as covering coughs or sneezes (into the sleeve or elbow, not hands), and refraining from shaking hands is recommended. |
Disinfecting/Cleaning | Essential business employees: Shall regularly perform cleaning of high-touch surfaces. | Regular cleaning/disinfecting of high-touch surfaces is recommended. |
Illness Monitoring | Regularly performed temperature checks and symptom monitoring is recommended. | Regularly performed temperature checks and symptom monitoring is recommended. |
View/Download information on all four stages [PDF]
SAFETY MEASURE | EMPLOYERS, BUSINESSES & ORGANIZATIONS | INDIVIDUALS/RESIDENTS |
---|---|---|
Physical/Social Distancing/Prohibited Activities | All businesses of public gathering and indoor public recreation and retail including, bars, restaurants, casinos, gyms, museums, bowling alleys, movie and other theaters, concert and music halls, salons, barbershops, spas, and other retail facilities which are defined in Ordinance 20-005 shall be closed to the public. All public and private gatherings of any number of people except those from a single household or living unit are prohibited, except for the limited purposes permitted in Ordinance 20-005. Any gathering of more than ten people is prohibited unless exempted by the Ordinance. Employees/staff shall stay home if they are sick. Information related to Ordinance 20-005 can be viewed | Staying at home, or current place of residence unless performing essential activities and/or if experiencing illness symptoms is recommended. Limiting any public or private gathering of more than ten (10) people is recommended. Maintaining social distancing of at least six (6) feet from any other person per CDC guidelines, with the exception of family or household members, at all times and as much as reasonably possible is recommended. |
Face Covering/Mask | Businesses and organizations: Wearing of face coverings/masks by employees is strongly recommended. | Wearing of a mask/face covering outside of residence is recommended. Wearing of a mask/face covering when member(s) of household are sick is recommended. |
Hand Washing | Providing hand sanitizer locations which are readily available for public use is recommended. Wash hands with soap and water for at least twenty seconds as frequently as possible or use hand sanitizer. | Washing hands with soap and water for at least twenty seconds as frequently as possible or using hand sanitizer as well as covering coughs or sneezes (into the sleeve or elbow, not hands), and refraining from shaking hands is recommended. |
Disinfecting/Cleaning | Post publicly a regular cleaning and disinfecting schedule, specific to each business is recommended. Perform regular cleaning and disinfecting. | Regular cleaning/disinfecting of high-touch surfaces is recommended. |
Illness Monitoring | Regularly performed temperature checks and symptom monitoring is recommended. Employees/staff shall stay home if they are sick. | Regularly performed temperature checks and symptom monitoring is recommended. Stay home if sick. |
View/Download information on all four stages [PDF]
City of Brookings Thresholds
Moving Between Phases: How the City Determines the Current Phase
Movement between phases is dependent upon the activity of the virus and the success of our community in keeping positive case numbers low. To determine our current thresholds, the City of Brookings is following the World Health Organization (WHO) which considers three criteria when adjusting public health and social measures related to COVID-19:
- Epidemiology: Is the epidemic controlled?
- Health System Capacity: Is the health system able to cope with a resurgence of COVID-19 cases that may arise after adapting some measures?
- Public Health Surveillance: Is the public health surveillance system able to detect and manage the cases and their contacts, and identify a resurgence of cases?
Movement to a new phase will be based on these criteria. Given the dynamic nature of COVID-19, the criteria are subject to change as new information becomes available.
COVID-19 Emergency Ordinance Timeline
12/15/2020: Emergency Ordinance 20-029 { Approved - CURRENTLY ENACTED}
10/27/2020: Emergency Ordinance 20-028 { Approved }
9/8/2020: Emergency Ordinance 20-010 Revised { Approved }
7/7/2020: Emergency Ordinance 20-010 { Approved }
5/12/2020: Emergency Ordinance 20-007 { Approved }
4/14/2020: Emergency Ordinance 20-006 { First Reading - Tabled }
4/8/2020: Emergency Ordinance 20-005 Revised { Approved }
3/23/2020: Emergency Ordinance 20-005 { Approved }
COVID-19 questions or concerns? Connect with us directly using Engage Brookings. Visit the website (www.EngageBrookings.com) or download the app on your mobile device.