Assessing the Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Small and Medium Businesses in North Carolina

ObjectiveAs the COVID-19 pandemic presented new challenges for businesses and worker safety and health, an interdisciplinary team launched the COVID-19 Worksite Impact Survey to assess COVID-19-related impacts and responses at small and medium businesses in 10 North Carolina counties.MethodsWe collected data from October 2 to December 1, 2020, and analyzed survey results to evaluate businesses' operational changes, concerns, needs, pandemic preparedness, workplace health promotion programming, and infection control practices.ResultsMost businesses, including essential ones, were inadequately prepared for the pandemic and did not implement the most effective COVID-19 infection control practices. Larger businesses and those with existing preparedness practices or health promotion programs were more likely to implement effective measures.ConclusionsWe should be acting now to improve small and medium businesses' preparedness for future public health crises.