How to Get Ready to Go Back to Work After COVID-19

After what seems like endless weeks of shelter-in-place, many businesses are preparing to open once again. With COVID-19 continuing to pose a health threat, they must reopen in the safest manner possible. So, the question companies will need to answer, “When can we bring our workers back, and how do we do it while protecting each one of them?”

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has issued guidelines to help businesses determine which employees are ready to come back. While employers are usually prohibited from asking employees about their health, they do have the right to do so during COVID-19. Here are some scenarios that will help you to decide:

Unconfirmed COVID-19 with illness

If you have a worker who has had a fever and cough but did not get COVID-19 confirmation, and they have fully recovered, they may return to work under these conditions:

  • It has been at least three days since they recovered.
  • No fever for a minimum of 72 hours.
  • No abnormal temperature for 72 hours without the use of any fever-reducing medicines.
  • Their respiratory symptoms have improved.
  • Seven days have passed since the beginning of the symptoms.

Confirmed COVID-19 with no illness

What about the worker who has tested positive for COVID-19 but has not become ill because of it? They must remain in isolation following their diagnosis and are allowed to return to work only if they meet the following conditions:

  • At least seven days have passed since the date of their first positive test.
  • They have not become ill.
  • After they end isolation, they continue to limit contact with others for another three days.
  • They wear a mask that covers their nose and mouth.

Confirmed COVID-19 with illness but not requiring hospitalization

This group includes employees who tested positive for COVID-19 and became ill. They self-isolated and medicated at home and did not require hospitalization. They may return to work only under all of the following conditions:

  • At least three days have passed since their recovery.
  • No abnormal fever for a minimum of 72 hours.
  • No significant temperature for 72 hours without the use of any fever-reducing medicines.
  • Improved respiratory symptoms.
  • No continuing illness: the employee exhibits no symptoms of COVID-19.
  • The employee has had two confirmed negative COVID-19 tests.

Confirmed COVID-19 with illness requiring hospitalization

Any employees who have been tested positive for COVID-19 by a medical professional, have become ill because of it, and require hospitalization, may be at higher risk of spreading the infection. The CDC recommends rigorous testing before allowing these employees to return to work since they might experience more extended periods of viral detection compared to those with milder symptoms.

Let us help you get back to business

Select Staff is a leading staffing company in Dallas, Texas, specializing in the placement of light industrial, office, clerical, accounting, and finance personnel. If you want to be ready for the return to business, contact the experts at Select Staff today!

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