Return to COVID-19 Guide

I have been advised to stay home

Because some of the symptoms of flu and COVID-19 are similar, it may be hard to tell the difference between them based on symptoms alone.

It is not recommended you report to work if you feel two or more less likely indicators or one of the more likely indicators of COVID. 

You should plan to return to work after one of the following applies:

  • You have been fever-free for 24 hours (without the use of fever reducing medications).
  • Once you receive a negative test result.
  • Once you received medical clearance after receiving medical care.

Definition

Less likely indicator of COVID-19: sore throat; nausea; vomiting; diarrhea; chills; muscle pain; extreme fatigue/feeling very tired; new severe/very bad headache; new nasal congestion/stuffy or runny nose.

More likely indicators of COVID-19: fever of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or higher; new cough or a cough that gets worse; difficulty/hard time breathing; new loss of taste or smell.

Quick Answers

The advice we've found is that you will stay home until test results are received. Refer to  "Quick Answers" below once test results are received. 

From what we've read, you should stay home until all of the following apply:

  1. You have been fever-free for 24 hours (without the use of fever reducing medications)
  2. Your other symptoms have improved.
  3. It has been at least 10 days since your symptom onset. A doctor's note or Public Health release is not required to return to work.

The advice we've seen id that you need to stay home and monitor for symptoms. If you have no symptoms, you can return 10 days after you were tested.

If during the 10 days you become symptomatic, then you must continue to stay home for at least 10 more days from the date of the symptom onset and meet all the following before returning to work

  1. You have been fever-free for 24 hours (without the use of fever reducing medications)
  2. Your other symptoms have improved.
  3. It has been at least 10 days since your symptom onset. A doctor's note or Public Health release is not required to return to work.

You do not have COVID-19.

You should follow standard employee illness protocols for returning to work, such as 24 hours fever-free, or 2 days after last episode of vomiting or diarrhea, or when on antibiotics for at least 24 hours, or as approved to work by a doctor. A doctor’s note may be required to return to work based on medical condition and business illness policy.

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