CDC guidance for employers on coronavirus
Because the coronavirus outbreak is continuing to grow and evolve, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention regularly updates guidance for businesses and employers to help reduce workplace exposures.
The guidance is based on what is known about the 2019 novel coronavirus as of this week, according to the CDC.
Other respiratory illnesses, like seasonal flu, are also
widespread in the U.S. at this time, and this guidance is meant to aid in
prevention of those as well, according to the CDC Interim Guidance page.
If sick, stay home
The CDC recommends employers actively encourage sick
employees to stay home, and:
not report to work until they are free of fever and any
other symptoms for at least 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing or
symptom-altering medicines
ensure company sick leave policies are flexible and that
employees are aware of these policies
make sure leave policies are flexible enough to allow
employees to stay home to care for sick family members
talk to contractors or temporary agencies about the
importance of sick employees staying home
don’t require a doctor’s note to validate illness or return
to work since healthcare offices could be extremely busy and unable to provide
documentation in a timely manner, and
be aware more employees than usual may need to stay home to
care for sick family members.
Sick employees who do report to work should be immediately
separated from other employees and sent home.
Good respiratory etiquette, hygiene
Other precautions to take in the workplace include:
encouraging the practice of good respiratory etiquette and
hygiene
placing posters encouraging staying home when sick, cough
and sneeze etiquette and hand hygiene at the entrance in areas where they’re likely
to be seen
providing tissues and no-touch disposal receptacles for
employees
instructing employees to clean their hands often with an
alcohol-based hand sanitizer or with soap and water, and
ensuring adequate supplies of soap and water and alcohol-based
hand rubs are maintained in the workplace.
Clean surfaces regularly
All frequently touched surfaces in the workplace should be
cleaned on a routine basis. The CDC says no additional disinfection beyond
routine cleaning is recommended at this time.
Likewise, employers should:
use the same cleaning agents as normal and follow the
directions on the label, and
provide disposable wipes so doorknobs, keyboards, remote
controls and desks can be wiped down by employees before each use.
Notifications
Employees who are well but taking care of a sick family
member with 2019 novel coronavirus should notify their supervisor and refer to
CDC guidance for how to conduct a risk assessment of potential exposure.
If an employee is confirmed to have 2019 novel coronavirus, employers
should inform fellow employees of their possible exposure in the workplace
while maintaining confidentiality (not naming the person with the virus) as
required by the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Employees exposed to a co-worker with confirmed to have 2019
novel coronavirus should refer to CDC guidance for how to conduct a risk
assessment of their potential exposure.
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