Employers are an Important Part of COVID Defense - Safer Holiday edition
Recently a client asked Safer Public Health to help educate their team on preparing for the holiday season. Many companies are concerned that employee non-compliance with public health measures, even in a remote work environment, was a risk to the business.
Businesses have a big opportunity to help beat the pandemic by educating their workforces on how to avoid the virus and be safer. This protects the employees, the business and moves the community and our country closer towards a future re-opening.
This client sent an email discussing the upcoming holidays with their employees and how gatherings and events are a risk. Here are some of the tips we prepared for the client.
The safest option is that everyone celebrates only with members of their immediate household. You can add a virtual event to include other households.
You may consider outdoor, distanced celebrations as a safer alternative to indoor celebrations. But remember, the spacing is especially important once people take off their mask to enjoy their pie. Weather will affect this option. Consider just getting together for an outdoor, distanced dessert to shorten the contact.
While it is not recommended, if families choose to plan an indoor celebration, especially with overnight house guests, precautions should be taken. The host could ask everyone to quarantine for 14 days then get tested 2-3 days before people gather. Then quarantine and test again on return home. There has been a lot of public conversation about testing--assuming that a test indicates that there is no risk of transmission. This is not the case. To properly use testing to reduce the risk of transmission you need to quarantine yourself for 14 days before the test.
Of course, anyone who is sick or may have been exposed to COVID-19, should not join the celebration.
You should check the community prevalence and quarantine laws for the states you are traveling to and from. You may be required to quarantine on either side of travel. This may not be practical for everyone.
[Our company] follows [state, city] guidelines. Employees will not be allowed into [the office] for 14 days after returning from any state on the list of states on the [state] Quarantine list. This list is updated regularly but see below. [link to public health agency website]
These are just an example. We’ve found that most employees of the clients we work with do not understand or are confused by the public health guidance. The most common is an improper understanding of quarantines and testing. Second is a misunderstanding of the role of masks which is a topic for a future blog post.
Safer Public Health can help your company with trainings, consulting and more. Contact us for a consultation.
