CHEYENNE – During his April 8 press conference, Governor Gordon discussed steps grocery stores should implement to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 in our communities. The Wyoming Department of Workforce Services (DWS) supports these strategies for the protection of the public and our workforce.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the Wyoming Department of Health have released COVID-19 prevention guidelines specific to grocery and retail workplaces. Recommendations include:

  • Encourage employees to stay home when they are sick, even if they don’t think they have COVID-19. Ensure sick leave policies to support this practice.
  • Encourage customers and employees to follow the new CDC guidelines on use of a cloth face covering in settings where adequate social distancing is not possible.
  • Help customers follow social distancing by using signs or floor markings to indicate spacing at check-out or entry lines. Consider other strategies to help employees be adequately distanced from each other and their customers.
  • Develop alternative shopping options, such as delivery, drive-thru or curb-side pick-up. Train and reallocate staff to expand these options, if possible.
  • Prominently display posters about social distancing, hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette, for the benefit of customers and employees.
  • Stay current on CDC guidelines for what to do when sick with COVID-19 symptoms and returning to work after illness.

Workforce Services Director, Robin Cooley, expressed readiness of her agency to help businesses interpret and implement recommendations. “As COVID-19 becomes more widespread in our communities, we must ensure employers take adequate measures to protect their workers. Guidance has changed rapidly during this outbreak and our safety consultants have stayed informed through state and national committees working on the COVID-19 response.”

Guidance for other non-medical, essential workers is also available, including for childcare centers, public transportation, and waste management, among others. Employers seeking assistance with COVID-19 prevention and response are encouraged to contact one of the DWS safety consultation programs:

  • Wyoming Workers’ Compensation Safety & Risk: (307) 777-8901
  • Wyoming OSHA: (307) 777-7786

For more information: