As the number of guests decreases, the hotel`s housekeepers will experience an increased sense of job insecurity, as they can be told not to report to work due to falling demand. In addition, people exposed to COVID-19 may not have paid sick leave and may be at risk of losing their jobs due to the need to quarantine or care for an affected family member. Many hotel housekeepers don`t have health insurance.[10] Thus, if they are affected by the virus, they will face challenges in accessing care and services. Those who continue to work may suffer from additional pressure and increased workload, as they need training and extra time to properly disinfect the areas. Hotel housekeepers are the largest group of workers in the hotel industry and experience the highest health inequalities compared to other workers in the industry [1-3]. In addition to physical and chemical hazards in the workplace, these workers are exposed to high levels of psychological stress associated with low control and job insecurity [1,2,4]. Given the current coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, hotel employees, especially housekeepers, are at increased risk of poor outcomes due to job insecurity and the risk of exposure. These risks are compounded by the ongoing discussion about using hotels as quarantine rooms for people exposed to COVID-19. While this approach (providing quarantine rooms) may be justified, employers are required to consider the health and safety of their employees, especially housekeepers, during this pandemic. Questions can be directed to covid19.biz@mass.gov. Employers have a duty to protect the health and safety of their workers.
According to the hierarchy of control recommended by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (Figure 1) and the CDC`s Guidelines for Employers and Businesses, there are important steps (Table 1) to protect hotel employees, especially housekeepers. The most effective level of control is elimination. However, given the many uncertainties associated with COVID-19, the steps highlighted focus on administrative controls, personal protective equipment (PPE) and engineering controls. Such measures should be considered for all hotel organizations, whether or not it is a quarantine site. At least two states offer financial assistance to pay for the child care of key workers. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, states have struck a delicate balance by opening up their economies while protecting public health since the first phase of stay-at-home orders last spring. While many workers have teleworked and others have lost their jobs, some have been classified as “essential” by states as they continue to report to work during the various stages of state restrictions. Now that states are beginning to decide how to prioritize the COVID-19 vaccine among their residents, designating the essential worker in the states is more relevant than ever. Employees have had to operate and maintain public and private drinking water and sewer and drainage infrastructure, including: The energy sector consists of several interdependent systems that provide services essential to the health and safety of the country. Energy can be roughly divided into three sub-sectors: electricity, natural gas, and oil – all three power the country`s transportation and production, providing everything from health care and government institutions to households and businesses. The CISA guidelines, as well as many states that have adopted theirs, consider workers in these occupations to be “critical infrastructure workers” and recognize the work they do as “necessary to maintain and protect life.” While many workers teleworked from home, essential craftsmen worked to keep office buildings running.
And while people spent most of their time at home, artisans continued to maintain safety and quality of life standards for residences. For the 20 states that comply with CISA`s guidelines, a wide range of trades are considered essential, including those that support the construction, maintenance or rehabilitation of several sectors, from energy to public works and infrastructure to communications. Many of the states that have developed their own policies use such broad language to involve as many of these professionals as possible. Colorado, for example, generally refers to construction and craftsmanship, but gives few examples and relies heavily on the language “including, but not limited to.” Similarly, Alabama simply refers to all workers in “construction or construction-related services” as essential. Illinois has taken a slightly different approach, with the state specifically listing a few examples of what it considers critical trades in its essential work order. These include plumbers, electricians, exterminators, cleaning and janitorial staff, and security personnel. The Massachusetts guidelines become even more specific, with the state listing “construction-related” activities it deems necessary to maintain the safety, sanitation, and essential operation of homes, businesses, and buildings such as hospitals. The state`s list also includes certain types of construction sites and projects that are considered essential. AB 10182 (pending) would extend the renewal of driving licences, identity cards and motor vehicle checks by three months.
AB 10303 (pending) would extend the period during which paratransit charges will be suspended until August 31, 2020. The bill would also require some drivers to receive hand sanitizer, sterile disposable gloves, face masks and training on preventive measures. AB 10347 (pending) would create a tax deduction of up to $5,000 on transportation and personal protective equipment costs for health and emergency health professionals. SB 7508 (promulgated) provided the state budget for fiscal year 2021 and included provisions that allowed the state to raise up to $10 billion to ensure the spending flexibility required for programs and the capital plan.