As of recent there has been a spike in Covid-19 cases in California. While many may think that Covid-19 has fallen to the wayside, we want to remind Employers that Covid-19 is still impacting the workplace and you must ensure that you are up to date on current Covid-19 requirements.
This month, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) updated its Covid-19 isolation guidelines as follows:
- For Covid-19 cases with symptoms, with or without fever, isolate from the day of symptom onset until at least 24 hours have passed. Excluded employees may return when 24 hours have passed with no fever, without the use of fever-reducing medications, and symptoms are mild and improving; OR
- For Covid-19 cases with no symptoms, there is no infectious period and no recommended isolation. If symptoms develop, the criteria above will apply.
Cal-OSHA still requires that individuals who test positive for Covid-19 wear a mask around other people indoors for the 10 days after an individual becomes sick or tests positive if no symptoms. Employers are still required to have face covering available in the workplace and must continue to make Covid-19 testing available to employees who have been in Close Contact to Covid-19 in the workplace.
Do know that the CDPH has updated their testing recommendations for those who have been in Close Contact to Covid-19. The CDPH no longer recommends testing for all Close Contacts and instead recommends testing only for individuals with new Covid-19 symptoms or Close Contacts who are at a higher risk of severe disease or who have contact with people who are at higher risk of severe disease.
It is important for Employers to stay up to date on Covid-19 requirements but also other employment law updates that took effect on January 1, 2024, such as changes to California’s Paid Sick Leave, that impact your entire workforce. To learn more about these Covid-19 updates and other Employment Law updates contact the Employer Lawyers at Chauvel & Glatt.
This material in this article, provided by Chauvel & Glatt, is designed to provide informative and current information as of the date of the post. It should not be considered, nor is it intended to constitute legal advice. For information on your particular circumstances, please contact Chauvel & Glatt at 650-573-9500 for legal assistance near you. (photo credit: depositphotos.com).