We've all been hearing and reading about the impact the Coronavirus is having on global travel. In the golf business, a large percentage of our guests are world travelers. The impact this new virus will have on our industry is still unknown but you need to be aware of and prepare for the impact should it present itself in your golf club environment.

At this time health authorities have not confirmed how the Coronavirus is transmitted, but suspect it is spread person to person similar to the way influenza and other respiratory pathogens are spread. Click here to read the latest from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Our service employees are the most susceptible to coming into contact with individuals who have been exposed to the virus. So what should we do? According to the CDC, in addition to monitoring the CDC website, remember to take everyday preventive actions to prevent the spread of respiratory viruses of all kinds:

Along with having a duty to protect your guests, you have an equal duty to protect your employees. Click here for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's (OSHA) interim guidance and other resources for preventing exposures to, and infection with, the novel coronavirus.

Because of the significant health hazards associated with this disease, and in the event an employee contracts the virus as a result of occupational exposure, the employee is entitled to receive temporary total disability benefits in lieu of wages, reasonable and necessary medical treatment. If the employee contracts the disease from other than occupational exposure, they may still be eligible for disability benefits, depending on your insurance coverage.

If your club operation employs more than 50 people, the employee also is entitled to the benefits of the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) to care for themselves and any immediate family members affected by the virus. In many states, this is paid leave.

NGCOA will continue to monitor this situation and provide pertinent updates to our members. You are encouraged to share information on your best practices and any thoughts that other owners and operators can take to minimize their risk.