COVID-19 Key Updates (11/18/2020)

Governor DeWine addressed the recent widespread surge of coronavirus cases in Ohio and throughout the rest of country during his press conference on Wednesday, November 11^th.

In addition to requesting all Ohioan’s recommit their efforts to contain the spread of the coronavirus, he announced the following new mandate regarding face coverings to protect frontline workers and customers. In addition to the previously established face covering requirements that will remain in effect, the Ohio Department of Health will reissue Ohio’s mask order and add the following provisions:

• Each store will be required to post a sign outlining face-covering requirements at all public entrances to the store;
• Each store will be responsible for ensuring that customers and employees are wearing masks; and
• A new Retail Compliance Unit, comprised of agents led by the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation, will inspect to ensure compliance. A first violation will result in a written warning and a second violation will result in closure of the store for up to 24 hours.

The full press release from Governor DeWine’s press conference can be found at the following link:

https://coronavirus.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/covid-19/resources/news-releases-news-you-can-use/covid-19-update-11-11-20

The links to the recommended required face covering posters can be found at the following links:

https://coronavirus.ohio.gov/static/responsible/signs/Facial-coverings-sign.pdf

https://coronavirus.ohio.gov/static/responsible/signs/Face-Coverings-Signage-2.pdf

CDC Guidelines for Workers Who May Have Had Exposure to a Person with Suspected or Confirmed COVID-19

Critical Infrastructure Workers

The CDC guidance continues to advise that critical infrastructure workers may be permitted to continue work following potential exposure to COVID-19, provided they remain asymptomatic and additional precautions are implemented to protect them and the community. The most recent CDC guidance for critical infrastructure workers can be found at the following link:

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/critical-workers/implementing-safety-practices.html

Non-Critical Infrastructure Workers (Community Related Exposure)

In October, the CDC modified its guidance on community related exposure for people who come in close contact¹ to people confirmed or suspected to have COVID-19. This modified guidance would also apply to workers not deemed to part of the critical infrastructure.  

• The most significant change in this guidance is how close contact¹ is now defined (Please refer to the footnote below). In addition, the close contact exposure period would be inclusive of the 2 days prior to symptom onset or the 2 days prior to the date of specimen collection for a person with a confirmed positive test.
• The recommended isolation guidelines for community related exposure for the exposed person are to stay home until 14 days after last exposure and maintain social distance (at least 6 feet) from others at all times.

The most recent CDC guidance for community related exposure can be found at the following link:

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/php/public-health-recommendations.html

¹ Individual exposures added together over a 24-hour period (e.g., three 5-minute exposures for a total of 15 minutes). Although it is difficult to precisely define “close contact;” 15 cumulative minutes of exposure at a distance of 6 feet or less can be used as an operational definition for contact investigation.

The Aliniti COVID19 Blog updates are intended as an employer reference guide only and not intended to serve as either legal or medical advice.  Any legal questions should be directed to legal counsel and medical questions should be directed to an appropriate medical provider.