By Bob Goldberg, RSPA General Counsel

As employees begin to return to the workplace, employers should take certain precautions to ensure safety in the workplace. In addition to taking temperatures, a daily questionnaire is appropriate. Employees who cannot provide the indicated answer to the questions posed should not be allowed to return to work until all questions are answered as indicated. Question 6 may be omitted, however 1-5 should be asked.

1. Have you had any symptoms of COVID-19 in the past 14 days? Symptoms include any flu-like symptoms, fever, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, chills and/or repeated shaking with chills, muscle pain, headache, sore throat, loss of sense of smell or taste.

Required Answer: NO or YES and the employee has otherwise received clearance from a qualified medical professional to return to work.

2. Have you been in contact with anyone in the past 14 days who, in that time period, has exhibited or reported experiencing symptoms of COVID-19?

Required Answer: NO.

3. Have you received a positive test result for COVID-19 and not subsequently received a negative test result?

Required Answer: NO or YES and the employee has otherwise received clearance from a qualified medical professional to return to work.

4. Have you been in contact with anyone in the past 14 days who, in that time period, received a positive test result for COVID-19?

Required Answer: NO.

5. Have you traveled on a bus, train, plane, or other forms of public transportation (other than for commuting to work or for approved work purposes) in the past 14 days?

Required Answer: NO.

6. Have you been self-isolating (and following social distance and face-covering protocol when leaving your residence) for the past 14 days, alone or with others, all of whom also have been self-isolating?

Required Answer: YES.

Of course, if you have further questions, the RSPA Legal Hotline is available to members.