When Can a COVID-Infected Employee Return to Work?

With cases of COVID-19 on the rise again, more employers are asking: When can employees who have had COVID-19 — or may have had the virus — return to work?

The CDC has provided guidance regarding when home isolation can end for infected people. OSHA, in its FAQs, has simplified the guidance as follows:

• If an employee has been isolating at home, a health care provider or local health department can provide the best information about when the employee can discontinue isolation and return to essential activities, such as going to work.
• If an employee has been hospitalized with COVID-19, he/she should follow the health care provider’s discharge and follow-up instructions, which should include information about when he/she can return to work.

Also, the Ohio Department of Health has published this guidance for businesses, noting that employers should Immediately report employee or customer infections to their local health district — and then take these actions. 7/16/2020