Both the State and L. A. County health departments have revised their isolation and quarantine requirements to align with new CDC recommendations issued December 27th. These rules cover isolation requirements (for those that test positive for COVID-19) and quarantine requirements (for those who have been in “close contact” with persons who have tested positive for COVID-19). Both rules focus on testing as a means of shortening the period that the employee is out of work. As a rule of thumb, California employers must follow the rule which requires the employee to remain off work the longest. For your convenience, the updated State guidance is available here. The County isolation guidance is available here and quarantine guidance here.
COVID-19 “Cases” (employees who have tested positive or are diagnosed with COVID (without a test) by a licensed healthcare provider):
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Isolation may end after Day 5 if both of the following occur:
- The employee has a negative COVID test (either antigen or PCR is allowed) taken on Day 5 or later; and
- The employee is asymptomatic or their symptoms are improving
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Isolation may end after Day 10 if :
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The employee does not get tested, but is asymptomatic; or
- The employee does not get tested, but symptoms are improving
- NOTE: If the employee still has a fever after Day 10, the employee must remain off work until the fever resolves (in L.A. County, the fever must resolve without the use of fever-reducing medication).
COVID “Close Contacts” (employees who have been within 6ft. of a COVID-19 case for a cumulative total of 15+ minutes in any 24-hour period):
- For fully vaccinated and boosted employees (and those who are fully vaccinated, but not booster-eligible):
- If asymptomatic: NO quarantine required
- If symptomatic, then same COVID-19 “ case” isolation rules apply (see rules above)
- For those that are NOT fully vaccinated and boosted:
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May return to work after Day 5 following close contact if: (1) receive a negative COVID-19 test (either antigen or PCR is allowed) taken on Day 5 or later; and (2) asymptomatic
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If they do NOT get tested, then they may return to work after Day 10 provided they are asymptomatic
- If symptomatic, then same COVID-19 "case" isolation rules apply (see rules above)
Special rule for employees who work in L.A. County:
- All “close contacts” must be tested immediately and test again on Day 5 following the close contact, regardless of vaccination status
- Additionally, all adult close contacts, regardless of vaccination status, must wear a medical grade mask (surgical or respirator) for 10 days following the close contact while they are around others either outdoors or indoors.
New Face Covering Requirements
Under the updated L.A. County Health Officer Order, all employers under the jurisdiction of the County Health Department must provide their employees who work indoors in close contact with others, and require them to wear, a well-fitting medical grade mask, surgical mask, or higher-level respirator (e.g., N95 or KN95) no later than January 17th.
We will continue to monitor major COVID-19 related developments that impact the workplace. If you have any questions about the matters discussed in this issue of Compliance Matters, please call your firm contact at 818-508-3700 or visit us online at www.brgslaw.com.
Sincerely,
Richard S. Rosenberg
Katherine A. Hren
Charles W. Foster
Ballard Rosenberg Golper & Savitt, LLP
