COVID-19: Frequently Asked Questions

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has issued guidance concerning best practices for those employers whose operations are part of critical infrastructure, including the healthcare sector, in the event an employee may have had exposure to a person with COVID-19.  The guidance suggests that workers who have been exposed but remain asymptomatic adhere to the following before and during their shifts:

• Employers should take the employee’s temperature and assess symptoms prior to them starting work. Temperature checks should happen before the individual enters the facility.
• As long as the employee doesn’t have a temperature or symptoms, they can self-monitor under the supervision of their employer’s occupational health program.
• The employee should wear a face mask at all times while in the workplace for 14 days after last exposure. Employers can issue face masks or can approve employees’ supplied cloth face coverings in the event of shortages.
• The employee should maintain 6 feet and practice social distancing as work duties permit in the workplace.
• Clean and disinfect all areas such as offices, bathrooms, common areas, and shared electronic equipment routinely.
• Should the employee become sick during the day, they should be sent home immediately and their workspace should be cleaned and disinfected.

Given their close contact with patients, CDC has issued additional guidance specific to healthcare professionals who have been exposed to COVID-19.  That guidance provides that, consistent with state and local guidance and circumstances:

• Symptomatic health care professionals suspected to have or confirmed to have COVID-19 should be excluded from work until either:
  •  3 days have passed since recovery and 10 days have passed since the first symptoms appeared; or
  • Fever has resolved without medications, respiratory symptoms have improved, and the employee has had 2 negative tests at least 24 hours apart.
•  Asymptomatic health care professionals who are confirmed to have COVID-10 should be excluded from work until:
  • 10 days have passed since the first positive test; or
  • The employee has had 2 negative tests at least 24 hours apart.

While the CDC guidelines provide general guidance, physician practices with specific concerns about an employee who has been exposed or the evaluation of their risk mitigation plan should speak with their professional liability carrier or attorney.