The purpose of this protocol is to establish standard guidelines for the closure of businesses to be used by the staff of the Northeast Ohio (NEO) Public Health partnership, composed of public health officials from Ashtabula, Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake, and Lorain counties.
These guidelines are intended for use during an infectious disease outbreak requiring the activation of the Northeast Ohio Regional Public Health Community Containment Plan.
The public health officials of the Northeast Ohio Public Health partnership will be responsible for enacting these guidelines within their respective jurisdictions.
Please note that the action steps outlined below will not necessarily follow in sequential order. Steps may also occur simultaneously.
Date/Time
Began
.
Initials Done Person/Group
Responsible
□
□
Action Steps
_Documented cases of highly pathogenic disease in the United States of America.
_Documented cases of highly pathogenic disease in
Ohio
_Documented cases of highly pathogenic disease in northeast Ohio
The Health Commissioner/Officer consults with the
Director of Nursing, Director of Environmental
Health and Epidemiological staff for recommendations on community containment measures.
Regional Public Health Officials collaborate and communicate with key state officials to review circumstances and determine the extent of business closure needed.

Any confirmed cases of novel highly pathogenic illness in the community/business with evidence of
1

□
□ transmission occurring and the possibility of exposed or at- risk persons.

Does the business provide an essential service to the community?
The Health Commissioner/Officer determines that there is reasonable cause to believe that allowing one or more businesses to stay open may endanger the public health.
The Health Commissioner provides the business(es) with a written order notifying the business of:

The premises designated for closure;

The date and time at which the closure will commence;

A statement of the terms and conditions of the closure;

A statement of the basis on which the closure is justified; and

The availability of a hearing to contest a closure order of a health care facility.
Public Health and the city’s administration determine if law enforcement is needed to maintain closure of the business.
The NEO Public Health Partnership in collaboration with key state/federal officials continue to monitor the conditions of the highly pathogenic disease as it relates to business closings.
The business will remain closed until Public Health issues a letter stating services can be resumed.
Service Area: SOG #
SUBJECT:
ORIGINAL DATE: REVISED DATE:
SUBMITTED
BY/DATE:
REVIEWED BY/DATE:
NEXT REVIEW DATE:
APPROVED BY/DATE:
H:\Health Promotion and Planning\Community Containment\Business Closure SOG.doc
PAGES:
2