ReLaunch Greater Lansing

FAQs

For Employers

  • As a business owner, am I required to send home all of my employees if one employee tests positive for COVID-19?No. Only those who meet the criteria for being a close contact would be recommended for a 14-day quarantine. Employers can limit the number of employees who meet these criteria if an employee tests positive by developing comprehensive workplace policies and procedures to minimize prolonged close contact among employees.
  • Am I required to notify my local health department if an employee tests positive for COVID- 19?

    Under Michigan Executive Order 2020-91, when an employee is identified with a confirmed case of COVID-19, employers must notify the local public health department within 24 hours.

    Once the health department is notified of a positive case of COVID-19, staff will contact the patient to identify individuals with whom the patient has been in contact during the time they were infectious (which includes the 48 hours before the onset of symptoms or date of a positive test if symptoms are not present) to determine who is a close contact*. After an individual is identified as a close contact, the health department will call them to notify them of their contact to a confirmed case of COVID-19 and provide instructions for the recommended 14-day quarantine period. A quarantine release letter/e-mail will be sent to the high-risk contact once they have completed the 14 days and are free of symptoms.

    If a patient is identified as having worked during their infectious period, health department staff will ask the patient to provide contact information for their supervisor/manager so health department staff can work together with this individual to identify co-workers who meet the criteria for being a close contact.

    *Close contact is defined as any physical contact or prolonged close contact (being within six feet for 15 minutes or more) with an individual who tested positive for COVID-19 during their infectious period.

  • Am I legally required to notify my entire workforce if an employee tests positive for COVID-19?Under Michigan Executive Order: Safeguards to Protect Michigan’s Workers from COVID-19” 2020-161, when an employee is identified with a confirmed case of COVID-19, employers must notify any co-workers, contractors, or suppliers who may have come into contact with the person with a confirmed case of COVID-19 within 24 hours. Each business should consult with their legal counsel or human resources on whether to disclose to other employees that a co-worker or a visitor to the office has tested positive for COVID-19, without disclosing the identity of the affected employee.

Screening Protocols

  • As a business owner, am I required to send home all of my employees if one employee tests positive for COVID-19?No. Only those who meet the criteria for being a close contact would be recommended for a 14-day quarantine. Employers can limit the number of employees who meet these criteria if an employee tests positive by developing comprehensive workplace policies and procedures to minimize prolonged close contact among employees.
  • May employees self-screen and report into work?

    If an employee is experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, they should stay home and report the symptoms to their healthcare provider. They should not come to work when they are sick.

    Please see the Workplace Checklist for information about when it’s safe for an employee to return to work.

  • What protocols should be put in place when a team member does not pass a COVID screening?A worker who fails the screening (i.e. has a temperature of 100.4 or higher or answers yes to any screening questions) should be sent home and should not return to work until the Return to Work Conditions are met. If the employee is experiencing multiple symptoms, they should contact their healthcare provider.
  • Do we need to assign human resources staff persons to serve as the health screener(s) on each shift at each location, or can employees conduct the screen and report on their own?

    Screeners do not have to be human resources staff members. Other staff members can serve as screeners as long as they are provided proper instructions and PPE.

    If an employee is experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, they should stay home and report the symptoms to their healthcare provider. They should not come to work when they are sick simply for the health check.

  • Should every employee at every company get a COVID-19 test?No. If an employee has multiple symptoms of COVID-19, they should consult their healthcare provider to see if they should be tested for the virus.
  • When should an employee get tested?

    If the employee is experiencing coronavirus symptoms (i.e. fever, cough, or difficulty breathing), they may be eligible for testing. They should consult their primary care provider to determine if they should seek further care, including possible testing for COVID-19.

    If symptoms become severe, the employee should seek medical care, but should call ahead to the provider or hospital so they can make arrangements to limit exposure to others during arrival. Inform the 911 dispatcher in an emergency situation.

Equipment

  • Where can we purchase non-contact thermometers?Touchless forehead thermometers can be ordered online or by calling local suppliers. For a list of local personal protection equipment (PPE) resources, please visit the Lansing Regional Chamber Resources page.
  • How many thermometers will we need?

    The number of thermometers you need will depend on the size of your workforce, frequency of shift changes, number of screeners you plan to use at the start of every shift and the type of thermometers you are using.

    Non-contact thermometers allow the greatest efficiency because they are immediately reusable without sanitizing between employees.

  • Where can we purchase masks, gloves, or other necessary PPE in bulk? For a list of local personal protection equipment (PPE) resources, please visit the Lansing Regional Chamber Resources page.
  • Do we need to maintain a 15-day supply of disinfecting and cleaning products and PPE?Best practice suggests that, by maintaining a 15-day supply of essential cleaners, disinfectants, and personal protective equipment when those products are available, employers will be best prepared to operate without interruption should market supplies of such products run low.
  • What can I do if I can’t find/purchase masks online?

    Smaller employers can make cloth masks for their employees or provide employees with proper fabric and instructions to make their masks before returning to work. Instructions on making your own mask can be found here, including a video tutorial on how to make a no-sew mask.

    The State of Michigan also has resources to assist Michigan businesses on procuring the PPE needed to reopen their facilities.

    For a list of local personal protection equipment (PPE) resources, please visit the Lansing Regional Chamber Resources page.

  • Do cloth masks have to be washed after every use?According to the CDC, cloth face masks should be washed routinely in a washing machine, depending on the frequency of use.