Given the rapidly changing information about the COVID-19 outbreak, LPM will update the sources listed here every Monday to help readers access the latest information to help you protect yourself and your family as well as aid LP organizations response to the pandemic.
Note that most of these websites and documents are updated by the content authors on a daily or weekly basis. If there are other resources you believe we should include here, please send an email to jackt (at) lpportal.com with “coronavirus resources” in the subject line.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Venturing Out? Be Prepared and Stay Safe
While there is no way to ensure zero risk of infection, it is important to understand potential risks and how to adopt different types of prevention measures to protect yourself and to help reduce the spread of COVID-19.
VIDEO: How COVID-19 Can Spread in a Community
This video explains how COVID-19 can spread in a community using an example featured in an April 2020 CDC MMWR. Investigation of COVID-19 cases in Chicago identified a cluster of 16 confirmed or probably cases, including three deaths, likely resulting from one introduction.
Reopening Guidance for Cleaning and Disinfecting Public Spaces, Workplaces, and Businesses
The webpage provides new guidance for planning and implementing cleaning and disinfecting public spaces.
COVID-19 Forecasts for the United States 05-01-20
Forecasts based on the use of statistical or mathematical models to predict changes in national and state level cumulative reported COVID-19 deaths for the next four weeks.
CDC Launches New Weekly COVID-19 Surveillance Report
The report, updated each Friday, will summarize and interpret key indicators, including information related to COVID-19 outpatient visits, emergency department visits, and hospitalizations and deaths, as well as laboratory data.
Department of Homeland Security
May 4, 2020, Update: DHS Response to COVID-19
A summary of some of DHS’s recent efforts to minimize the impact of COVID-19 on American citizens and workers.
Joint Statement on US-Mexico Joint Initiative to Combat the COVID-19 Pandemic
The strong partnership and close cooperation between the United States and Mexico has allowed us to maintain a productive border environment.
Temporary Restriction of Travelers Crossing the US-Canada Land Border for Non-Essential Purposes
As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the United States and Canada are temporarily restricting all non-essential travel across its borders.
Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
Coronavirus Stimulus Payment Scams: What You Need to Know
What you need to know about the stimulus payments and how to avoid scams related to these payments.
Looking for Work after Coronavirus Layoffs?
Have you been laid off due to the Coronavirus? Or maybe your small business shut down? Today, the FTC kicks off a series of blogs with tips about handling the financial impact of the Coronavirus.
Socially Distancing from COVID-19 Robocall Scams
Scammers are using illegal robocalls to profit from Coronavirus-related fears. Listen to some of the latest robocall pitches, so you can be on the lookout and know how to respond.
Thinking Critically about Coronavirus News and Information
It’s dizzying, the amount of information out there about the Coronavirus. So how can we sort out what’s real and what’s not?
Phishing Scams Related to COVID-19 Outbreak
Scammers are setting up websites to sell bogus products and using fake emails, texts, and social media posts as a ruse to defraud the public.
Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
COVID-19 Supply Chain Update: Importation of Vital Food and Medical Products
How the FDA is facilitating the entry of imported medical products while preventing illegal and fraudulent products.
FDA Expedites Review of Diagnostic Tests to Combat COVID-19
The FDA has been providing unprecedented flexibility to labs and manufacturers to develop and offer COVID-19 tests across the US.
FDA Takes Action to Address Novel Coronavirus with Medical Countermeasures
This webpage summarizes the FDA’s role in monitoring and responding to the coronavirus epidemic.
Food Marketing Institute (FMI)
WEBINAR: Food Safety Current Situation: Updates for Food Producers & Retailers
Learn how COVID-19 is affecting the global food supply chain on Wednesday, May 27, 2:00 pm EDT.
Guidance for the Food Industry: Coronavirus Outbreak
A series of downloadable business practice documents that provide guidance for the food industry during each phase of this crisis.
Grocery Shopping in the Time of COVID-19
FMI conducted an initial wave of online surveys March 21-26 to assess the impact of COVID-19 on the perceptions and behaviors of grocery shoppers. Here is the April 2nd update.
Multiple Resources for the Food Industry
FMI has compiled background information, a preparedness checklist, resources, and more to support the food industry.
Coronavirus and Pandemic Preparedness for the Food Industry
This document from the Food Marketing Institute is designed to help food retailers, wholesalers, and suppliers undertake the necessary contingency planning to prepare for a pandemic, including influenza, the coronavirus COVID-19, or any other infectious disease outbreak.
Johns Hopkins University
Interactive Map of Confirmed Cases
This webpage provides an interactive graphic illustrating the number of cases and deaths by country across the globe.
Loss Prevention Media
In Sickness and in Health: Retail Is Forging Ahead Transformed by Pandemic
Retail has weathered major disasters before, and consumers will once again fuel the US economic engine. But retail will be reshaped.
Solutions Providers Pivot Their Businesses to Meet Customer and Community Needs
As the world effectively shut down in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, retailers were not the only businesses impacted.
The Impact of COVID-19 on Supply Chain Theft Activity
During this global health crisis, cargo theft criminals see this as an opportunity to take advantage of the fact that securing cargo may not be a priority.
What LP Professionals Need to Do Now to Prepare for Reopening the Economy
Reopening retail stores requires building a clear strategy—one that will encompass all departments and partners inside and outside the company.
Excellence in Community Service: The Retail Industry and Everyday Retail Heroes
Despite the hardships encountered by retail, the spirit and generosity of the retail community is evident in many ways during the COVID-19 pandemic.
WEBINAR: Big Lots VP of AP Offers Lessons Learned from Retail’s Front Lines
Rob LaCommare, Big Lots’ vice president of asset protection and safety, discusses the lessons learned in these last few months as the retailer has seen more shoppers and sales, but also more areas of risk.
Watch the recorded webinar here.
Post-Pandemic Employee Fraud Expected to Increase Predict Experts
Data from past economic downturns suggest a rise in internal theft as retail reopens.
WEBINAR: 5 Key Tasks for Reopening Safely and Managing Risk
This webinar provides best practices on how to address some of the specific issues around reopening locations and engaging with employees and customers.
Watch the recorded webinar here.
Listen to the podcast version here.
WEBINAR: Preparing for an ORC Epidemic Post COVID-19
As retailers prepare stores for renewed foot traffic in the return to business on the heels of the COVID-19 pandemic, we need to consider that an increase in organized retail crime activity may result in an epidemic of retail crime as well.
Watch the recorded webinar here.
Listen to the podcast version here.
WEBINAR: Supply Chain Challenges and Solutions in the COVID-19 Pandemic
Supply chain experts discuss driver safety, creative procurement, staffing challenges, transport opportunities, and global supply issues.
Watch the recorded webinar
Listen to the podcast version
Kroger Releases a Blueprint for Businesses to Reopen Safely
As the national debate intensifies on when and how to reopen businesses, The Kroger Co. released a downloadable resource called “Sharing What We’ve Learned: A Blueprint for Businesses” with comprehensive information related to operating a safe retail environment during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Career Counseling through Crisis: How to Handle Layoffs and Furloughs Due to COVID-19
This article summarizes the content presented in the April 10, 2020, LPM webinar “Handling Layoffs and Furloughs Due to COVID-19 while Adjusting and Preparing for the New Normal in Retail.”
Watch the recorded webinar here.
Listen to the podcast version here.
Download a resource guide here.
From Surviving to Thriving—Retailers Can Create a Positive Legacy from COVID-19 Crisis
Retailers and their loss prevention leaders have an opportunity to forge more resilient, efficient, and agile operations as they make their way back from the global health crisis currently halting economic activity.
Download this 10 Tips for Working from Home Infographic
A free one-page infographic to help your team be more productive working from home during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Managing Disruptive Behaviors in Retail in Response to COVID-19
De-escalation tips for retail professionals in light of the high tensions that come with the current pandemic
COVID-19 Webinar: Retail Lessons from Spain
Given that Spain has one of the highest infection rates in the world that started several weeks before North America, the lessons learned from Spain discussed in this webinar will help all retailers prepare for the next several weeks.
Listen to the podcast version here
LP Executives Share Their Experience with Managing Stores during COVID-19
In the first in a series of short surveys of LP and AP management, LPM asked about the impact and challenges of the current travel restrictions on managing retail stores, field LP teams, and what communications measures are in use.
Thoughts from Industry Leaders on Opportunities and Failures with COVID-19
As LPM gathers information from retail leadership on the impact and response to the current pandemic, individuals are offering their insights into the opportunities, challenges, and failures of organizations related to loss prevention, supply chain, crisis management, and other areas.
Download this COVID-19 Safety Advice and Tips Infographic
LPM is providing this one-page infographic with basic information about recognizing the symptoms of the COVID-19, ways to prevent infection, and what to do should someone become infected. Download it for free to share with your team.
National Retail Federation (NRF)
Coronavirus Retail Restrictions by State
This state-by-state map outlines coronavirus-related laws, executive orders, regulations and guidance governing store reopening for retailers.
Operation Open Doors: Guidance for Retailers on Reopening Stores
A checklist and resource downloads for navigating the reopening of retail operations.
Retailers Unveil Blueprint for Shopping Safe Reopening
RILA and NRF released a Blueprint for Shopping Safe today outlining a phased-in approach to reopening retail.
Retailers Need Additional Relief
NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay appeared on Fox News to discuss the impact of the coronavirus on retail and how additional funds are needed to aid business owners big and small.
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
COVID-19 Guidance for Retail Workers
The one-page downloadable guide highlights a number of safety measures from OSHA.
Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19
A 35-page downloadable publication with guidance for employers and workers to identify risk levels and suggested control measures to lower risks.
Information for Workers and Employers
This webpage provides information for workers and employers about the evolving coronavirus outbreak. The information includes links to interim guidance and other resources for preventing exposures to, and infection with, COVID-19.
Restaurant Loss Prevention & Safety Association (RLPSA)
State Regulations for Opening
Links to each state’s regulations regarding opening post-COVID-19.
RLPSA Posts NEW Resources on BackToOpen.com
Multiple resources addressing the reopening of restaurants closed due to COVID-19.
A Free Downloadable Video to Educate Employees
This video describes CDC-sourced information on how to wash hands, travel tips, how to cough/sneeze, and what to do if you feel ill.
RLPSA Postpones Annual Conference to March March 15–18, 2021
The Renaissance SeaWorld Orlando remains the venue of the 41st Annual Conference hosting restaurant, grocers, and c-store loss prevention, safety, and risk professionals.
Suggested Talking Points for Restaurants from the National Restaurant Association
This document is designed to help restaurant owners and operators answer questions about the coronavirus and communicate that restaurants remain a great place to gather with friends and family.
Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA)
Manufacturers and Retailers Expedite Product Sourcing
Minimize supply chain disruption without compromising critical regulatory and safety data.
Retailers Unveil Blueprint for Shopping Safe Reopening
RILA and NRF released a Blueprint for Shopping Safe today outlining a phased-in approach to reopening retail.
RILA Board Chair Mary Dillon Interviewed on CNBC
RILA Board Chair and Ulta Beauty CEO says retailers need support from Washington: “We need companies to survive.”
Recovery Requires Getting All Retailers Back to Work
Most retailers are in the same situation as the nation’s airlines and hotels—closed or closing. Without the same dedicated focus our airlines are getting, some retailers will be lost before stores can open again—and millions of jobs will evaporate.
Retailers’ Distribution Centers Remain Essential to Serving Communities
In addition to directing goods to store shelves, distribution centers are vital to those now relying on e-commerce or contact-less forms of shopping to receive the items they need.
RILA Cancels 2020 Retail Asset Protection Conference
US State Department
Passport Operations in Response to COVID-19
The Department of State advises US citizens to avoid all international travel at this time due to the global impact of COVID-19.
Emergency Travel Notification March 22, 2020
This webpage provides details of travel restrictions and safety recommendations for international travelers.
OSAC Benchmarking Survey Report
From January 27 to January 31, OSAC conducted a survey regarding the 2019-nCoV outbreak effects on organizations to include the impact of the outbreak, security measures, and future decision points.
Wicklander-Zulawski & Associates
W-Z Video: When to Use a Telephone Interview
W-Z instructor Tony Paixão discusses considerations related to phone interviews during the current pandemic.
Best Practices for Conducting Remote Interviews in Today’s Restrictive Climate
Using Video Technology for Conducting Remote Interviews
What Precautions Are WZ Taking During the COVID-19 Outbreak?
And how will it affect your seminar experience? Check for the most up-to-date calendar of cancellations or postponements.
World Health Organization (WHO)
Director-General’s Opening Remarks at the 20 April 2020 Media Briefing
WHO Advice for the Public: Myth Busters
This webpage addresses a number of misinformation related to COVID-19 prevention and cures.
Director-General’s Opening Remarks at the 30 March 2020 Media Briefing
WHO Guidelines to Help Countries Maintain Essential Health Services
Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Outbreak Updates
On this website you can find information and guidance from WHO regarding the current outbreak of coronavirus disease (COVID-19).