Exposed to COVID-19 – Now What?

With the rapid spread of the Omicron variant, employers are faced with the dilemma of how to advise employees who have been potentially exposed to the virus, and what to do next.  In Ontario, the general rule is, if an employee has been in close contact with someone who has tested positive, they do not necessarily need to isolate provided they are fully vaccinated and they self-monitor for symptoms for at least 10 days.

The only exception to this rule is if the employee lives with the person who has tested positive, in which case they should isolate whether they are vaccinated or not. At this time, “fully vaccinated” still means that a person has had two doses of an approved vaccine.  Of course, you should always consult with and follow the more specific guidelines that may be in effect with your local Health Unit.

While fully vaccinated employees who have been exposed to the virus can usually continue to go into their workplace, it remains the case that they must go home and isolate if they begin to experience symptoms. Isolation should last for at least 5 days from symptom onset and until there is no fever present.

For further guidance on this matter, click here to review the flowchart provided by the Government of Ontario. If you need additional workplace support to deal with Covid-related issues, contact us today at SHRP.