COVID-19 Resources

Johnson City Area HBA is here to support our members and the residential construction industry during these unique challenges as our country and industry deals with the Coronavirus. We are here to help our members stay updated on developments as they occur.

What is COVID-19?

COVID-19 is a respiratory illness: symptoms include cough, fever, shortness of breath, muscle aches, sore throat or unexplained loss of taste or smell. COVID-19 can be severe could potentially lead to death. The infection is spread through droplets released into the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. The droplets generally do not travel more than a few feet, and they fall to the ground (or onto surfaces) in a few seconds — this is why social and physical distancing is effective in preventing the spread. A medical diagnosis is confirmed with a laboratory test.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Apple have created an online Symptom Checker that you can use to determine if you should seek additional medical care. If you have symptoms call your doctor or local medical provider, so they can direct you to the closest location to be tested.

Flattening the Curve. Stopping the Spread of Infection.

Methods to stop the spread of infection include frequent, thorough hand washing, coughing into the bend of your elbow, disinfecting commonly touched surfaces and staying home when you are sick. Do not touch your eyes, nose, or mouth if your hands are not clean.

CDC recommends wearing cloth face coverings in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain (e.g., grocery stores and pharmacies), especially in areas of significant community-based transmission.  The CDC provides several methods on how to make homemade cloth face coverings out of a shirt or a bandana.

Tennessee and our surrounding states have implemented executive orders urging people to stay at home.  These orders have closed all public gatherings and are requiring many businesses to use alternative models, if they are continuing to operate. Businesses have been asked to develop work from home plans for non-essential personnel.

Construction is an Essential Business (including our suppliers & partners)

The Home Builders Association of Tennessee worked diligently to ensure that residential construction, our associates and suppliers were defined as an essential businesses in Tennessee. We are grateful that the Governor specifically listed “housing construction” as an essential infrastructure operation.

Prevention Protocols for the Job Site

Even though construction and associated businesses have been determined to be essential business services in Governor Lee’s Executive Order 22, job sites must comply with the Public Health Safety Measures. JCAHBA suggests all essential businesses document their efforts to mitigate the spread of infection. Employers should inform their workers and contractors of new job site protocols to keep sick workers at home, provide hand sanitizer or hand washing facilities on site, promote the disinfection of commonly touched surfaces and maintain adequate social distancing to keep employees 6 feet apart.

Covid-19 Jobsite Flyer (dual language) should be posted on all jobsites to prevent the spread of infection

Travel Letter for Essential Industry Workers

Governor Lee has stated that travel letters will not be necessary and has notified all municipalities and the Tennessee Highway Patrol. If you feel that it is important for you or your workers to carry one, please download the Travel Letter that has been provided by Home Builders Association of Tennessee.

Download the Travel Letter

**All current orders in Tennessee and guidance from the US Department of Homeland Security names single-family and multi-family housing construction as an essential infrastructure industry.**
New Federal Programs for Impacted Businesses
US Department of Treasury
Paycheck Protection Program
IRS
Small Business Administration
Family First Coronavirus Response Act
Other Useful Links
Jobsite Infection Prevention Protocol Flyer (Available in Spanish & English)
TN Department of Labor & Workforce Development (Resources for Employers Regarding Unemployment)
NAHB Resources
Center for Disease Control (CDC)
HBAT Coronavirus Newsletters
COVID-19 Small Business Resources (State of TN)

Comments are closed