• Why are we returning to the building now?

• If I have to quarantine it will affect my scheduled day to be in the office. Is that ok?

• What if I have been in close contact with someone with COVID 19?

• What if someone living in my household develops COVID-19?

• What if I have been under quarantine and had close contact with someone with COVID-19 during quarantine?

• What if I live with someone that has COVID-19 and cannot avoid contact?

• Can I travel domestically or internationally for business?

• Can I conduct personal travel?

• I have a health condition or other concern that prevents me from returning to the office. What do I do?

• I have a childcare situation that prevents me from working 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. What do I do?

• I have a religious / philosophical / medical objection to wearing a mask. Will I be allowed in the building?

• Are guests allowed in the building?

• Can members come to the building to pick up brochures?

• Are masks required in the parking lot?

• Do I have to wear a mask at all times while in the office?

• Can we have meetings with other employees in the building?

• Is there an occupancy limit for elevators?

• Is there an occupancy limit for restrooms?

• How are hallways being set up for social distancing?

• Is the first floor kitchen available?

• Are coffee and water stations available?

• Are visitors allowed to enter the first floor welcome center?

• Can we enter the building on weekends? If so, is the alarm on?

• If asked what NO&CO is doing to keep us safe, how do I respond?

Why are we returning to the building now?

After working from home since March, we feel now is the time to begin a staggered, safe return to the building because New Orleans is currently in Phase 3.2 of its re-opening, COVID positivity rates in New Orleans are remaining steady, and construction on the inside of our building is complete.

Additionally, as the official destination marketing organization for New Orleans, we serve in a leadership role for our members, customers and visitors. We want to show them that we too are doing our part to return to some sense of normalcy within the city guidelines safety protocols of medical experts. While in-person camaraderie and team-building are an important part of our business, the safety of our employees is our primary concern and we will amend our return-to-building plan as needed.

We know many local schools are no longer offering before or after care, and other life situations for our employees have changed during the pandemic. If you have questions or concerns, please contact your supervisor and HR. We want to be as accommodating to you as possible.

If I have to quarantine it will affect my scheduled day to be in the office. Is that ok?

Yes. Your safety is our top priority. Department leaders will work on a revised staggered schedule for staff in the building as needed.

What if I have been in close contact with someone with COVID 19?

You will be expected to quarantine for 14 days before returning to the office. If you develop symptoms, please seek medical attention immediately. A doctor’s note will be required before returning to the office. If you test positive for COVID-19, a negative test result or physician’s statement will also suffice as documentation to return to work.

What if someone living in my household develops COVID-19?

You will be expected to quarantine for 14 days. Please physically separate yourself from that individual as much as possible.

What if I have been under quarantine and had close contact with someone with COVID-19 during quarantine?

Please quarantine for 14 days from the date you had contact with the COVID-positive individual.

What if I live with someone that has COVID-19 and cannot avoid contact?

Please quarantine for 14 days from the date that person's COVID-19 isolation ends.

Can I travel domestically or internationally for business?

All business travel is currently suspended. Any business travel requests must be approved in advance by your Department SVP and the CEO. If approved to travel on NO&CO business, please quarantine for 14 days effective from date of return before returning to the office.

Can I conduct personal travel?

If you travel for personal reasons using mass transportation (bus, train, plane) outside of the Greater New Orleans area we ask that you quarantine for 14 days before returning to the office. If you travel via your own personal vehicle outside of the Greater New Orleans area, you are ok to return without a quarantine period. The Greater New Orleans area is defined as Orleans, St. Tammany, St. Charles, Plaquemine, St. Bernard and Jefferson Parishes. Please note our healthcare plan will not cover a COVID test if it is taken “electively” and without medical necessity.

I have a health condition or other concern that prevents me from returning to the office. What do I do?

Please notify HR and your Department SVP immediately and provide documentation of your specific situation. We will do everything possible to reasonably accommodate you.

I have a childcare situation that prevents me from working 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. What do I do?

Please notify HR and your Department SVP immediately and provide documentation of your specific situation. We will do everything possible to reasonably accommodate you.

I have a religious / philosophical / medical objection to wearing a mask. Will I be allowed in the building?

Masks are required to enter the NO&CO building and must be worn at all times except while seated at your desk in your office or cubicle. There are no exceptions to this policy. Please contact HR to discuss your specific situation. We will do everything possible to reasonably accommodate you.

Are guests allowed in the building?

Not at this time. If you need to meet with a vendor or outside partner, please do so virtually, or meet at their venue, wearing a mask and observing social distancing. At this time only current employees are allowed to enter the building.

Can members come to the building to pick up brochures?

Yes, they may pick up in bulk from shipping and receiving only. Members will not be allowed in the building beyond the shipping and receiving window. The front doors and the lobby will remained closed during this initial phase.

Are masks required in the parking lot?

Yes. Please wear your mask as soon as you exit your vehicle.

Do I have to wear a mask at all times while in the office?

Yes. Masks are required to enter the NO&CO building, and must be worn at all times in common areas, hallways, elevators and restrooms. You may remove your mask while seated at your desk in a cubicle or office. If someone enters your office or cubicle work space, please put your mask on immediately and remain six feet away from that person.

Can we have meetings with other employees in the building?

We know you all are craving face-to-face meetings with your colleagues. Each employee has been provided a headset so that most meetings can continue to be conducted virtually. If absolutely necessary to conduct a meeting in person, all of the conference rooms have been set up to be social distance appropriate and must be reserved on the calendar. DO NOT bring additional chairs into the conference rooms, or move the chairs that are set for six feet distance between employees. Please do not conduct meetings in your offices.

Is there an occupancy limit for elevators?

Yes, please observe two passengers per elevator car at all times. If three or more people are waiting for an elevator, please decide which two people will enter the elevator, based on who is in a rush. Masks must be worn in elevators.

Is there an occupancy limit for restrooms?

Yes, please observe a one-person limit for the restroom. If the restroom is occupied, please wait in the elevator lobby until the restroom becomes unavailable. Masks must be worn in the restroom.

How are hallways being set up for social distancing?

Social distancing markers have been placed in the hallways. Please observe these markers and traffic patterns.

Is the first floor kitchen available?

No. Due to social distancing, please eat at your desk or at an alternate place outside of the building. Tables and chairs have ben removed from the kitchen. It is ok to enter the kitchen briefly to use the refrigerator or microwave, but please do not gather or dine in the kitchen until further notice.

Are coffee and water stations available?

No. Coffee and water stations have been turned off until further notice. Please bring your own beverages.

Are visitors allowed to enter the first floor welcome center?

Unfortunately not. The front door of the building will be locked and visitors will not be allowed to enter at this time. We want to be hospitable, but the safety of our employees and visitors is our top priority during this pandemic. Visitors are being redirected to neworleans.com or our main phone number for assistance.

Can we enter the building on weekends? If so, is the alarm on?

Yes, but only if absolutely necessary. The alarm will beo activated so please de-activate it when you arrive, and reset it when you leave the building.

If asked what NO&CO is doing to keep us safe, how do I respond?

Please reinforce that we are following all CDC guidelines to reduce the spread of COVID-19. If you are contacted by the media, please refer them to Kelly Schulz at kschulz@neworleans.com or 566-5045.