{"id":35086,"date":"2020-08-10T10:40:23","date_gmt":"2020-08-10T14:40:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.arffinancial.com\/development\/?p=35086"},"modified":"2023-01-04T09:07:56","modified_gmt":"2023-01-04T14:07:56","slug":"protocols-for-positive-covid-19-cases-in-the-workplace","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.arffinancial.com\/development\/protocols-for-positive-covid-19-cases-in-the-workplace\/","title":{"rendered":"Protocols for Positive COVID-19 Cases in the Workplace"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"ProtocolsYou\u2019re a small business owner, managing a team of employees. You\u2019ve been open for business for several weeks now and have been operating under all the recommended protocols from the Centers for Disease Control<\/a> (CDC) and your state\/local government. Despite all of the safety precautions you\u2019ve taken within your business, a full-time employee tests positive for the coronavirus. They alert you immediately, and now you must handle the fallout. Today, we\u2019ll review some common protocols for positive COVID-19 cases in the workplace and what business owners can do when faced with this type of scenario.<\/p>\n

Do I Need to Report Positive COVID-19 Cases?<\/strong>
\n<\/strong>As the owner of a business, are you legally obligated to let other employees or public health officials know you\u2019ve had a confirmed case of COVID-19 among one of your employees? Generally speaking, no. There isn\u2019t a law on the books (as of this writing) that requires business owners to report positive cases of the coronavirus to the CDC. However, you would be wise to check with your state and local health departments to learn if there are guidelines specific to your area.<\/p>\n

As a matter of pure moral obligation, it is probably a good idea to let your employees know the circumstances\u2014without disclosing the staffer\u2019s identity. Employees will need to take the necessary precautions to slow the spread of the disease; according to the CDC<\/a>, this includes asking exposed employees to stay home for 14 days.<\/p>\n

Do I Need to Close My Business?
\n<\/strong>Not necessarily. Per the CDC guidelines<\/a>, \u201cIf it has been less than 7 days since the sick employee has been in the facility, close off any areas used for prolonged periods of time by the sick person.\u201d Wait 24 hours to reduce exposure of respiratory droplets to other employees before disinfecting the area(s). Be sure to follow the CDC\u2019s recommendations for disinfection.  If it\u2019s been more than 7 days, there\u2019s no need to do a deep clean. Simply keep disinfecting high-traffic surfaces as you normally would.<\/p>\n

When Can My Employee Come Back to Work?
\n<\/strong>Don\u2019t ask an employee to produce a negative coronavirus test result before allowing them to return to work. However, they should not come back until they are able to discontinue home isolation. The CDC outlines the rules as such:<\/p>\n