As concerns about the COVID-19 continue to rise, many employers are left to wondering what they can do to protect their workforce. CDC Interim Guidance In order to help employers plan and respond to COVID-19, the CDC has issued interim guidance. The CDC recommendations include:
- Actively encourage sick employees to stay home. Employees who have symptoms of acute respiratory illness are recommended to stay home and not come to work until they are free of signs of a fever and any other symptoms of COVID-19 for at least 24 hours, without the use of fever-reducing or other symptom-altering medicines.
- Separate sick employees. Employees who appear to have acute respiratory illness symptoms (e.g., cough or shortness of breath) upon arrival to work or become sick during the day should be separated from other employees and be sent home immediately.
- Emphasize hand hygiene. Instruct employees to clean their hands often with an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60%-95% alcohol, or wash their hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
- Perform routine environmental cleaning. Employers should routinely clean all frequently touched surfaces in the workplace, such as workstations, countertops and doorknobs.
- Educate employees. Inform employees on the signs and symptoms of COVID-19 and the precautions that can be taken to minimize the risk of contracting the virus, without causing panic.
- Review safety programs and emergency action plans. Make sure you have a emergency action plan that includes infectious-disease protocols.
- Implement travel guidelines. Establish procedures for approving work related travel.
Employers should closely monitor the CDC and WHO websites for the latest and most accurate information on COVID-19.
Click HERE to view the CDC’s Interim Guidance for COVID-19.
