HPPH Frequently Asked Questions from Employers

1.      What if my employee is being tested for COVID-19?

•        While the individual is waiting for test results, the individual should not go to work and should self-isolate if symptomatic or is a close contact/believed to be a close contact.

•        For a case of COVID-19 identified in Huron or Perth, Huron Perth Public Health conducts public health follow-up of close contacts, including any workplace exposures. We will contact your organization or premises as needed to see if additional infection prevention and control measures are required.

•        Individuals that have had close contact (spent extensive time within 2-metre radius) with this employee may need to take additional precautions and will be contacted by HPPH.

•        There are other situations where your employees may be asked by Huron Perth Public Health (HPPH) to self-isolate. We strongly recommend that you support the guidance your employees have received from any health authority.

•        Please note that the province has created an unpaid, job-protected infectious disease emergency leave.

•        Review and make use of Public Health Ontario’s resource on Cleaning and Disinfection for Public Settings – COVID-19.

•        Review the physical distancing measures in your workplace and consider any improvements that could be made.

2.      What if my employee is confirmed positive for COVID-19?

•        Individuals testing positive for COVID-19 are directed to self-isolate for 10 days, from the start of symptoms or when they do not have a fever (without the use of fever-reducing medications), and symptoms are improving for at least 24 hours.

•        For a case of COVID-19 identified in Huron or Perth, Huron Perth Public Health conducts public health follow-up of close contacts, including any workplace exposures. We will contact your organization or premises as needed to see if additional infection prevention and control measures are required.

•        Individuals that have had close contact (spent extensive time within 2-metre radius) with this employee may need to take additional precautions and will be contacted by HPPH.

•        Please note that the province has created an unpaid, job-protected infectious disease emergency leave.

•        Review and make use of Public Health Ontario’s resource on Cleaning and Disinfection for Public Settings – COVID-19.

•        Review the physical distancing measures in your workplace and consider any improvements that could be made.

•        If you receive questions from your employees, we invite you to point them to our novel coronavirus COVID-19 webpage.

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These questions and more can be found on the HPPH website here. We thank you for your continued work to stop the spread of COVID-19.