COVID-19 Business FAQs
What is open in my county?
California has a Blueprint for reducing COVID-19 in the state with revised criteria for loosening and tightening restrictions on activities. Check out the Blueprint for a Safer Economy website for information on the current Tier level, and what businesses are open and what limitations are in place.
What is Febrile Respiratory Illness?
Febrile Respiratory Illness (FRI) can be defined as new or worsening episode of either cough or shortness of breath, present with fever (100.4 degrees) or chills in the previous 24 hours. This can lead to acute respiratory distress syndrome which is seen in severe cases of COVID-19.
Why are businesses being asked to screen employees?
We know that the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is contagious, and more so between people in social settings. Screening employees, and asking employees to self screen before coming to work, will protect the employees, co-workers, and customers. This will help reduce community spread of the COVID-19 virus AND protect valuable employees working at the essential businesses.
When does an employer screen employees? How does it work?
Effective as of 3/25/2020 per the Mariposa County Public Health Officer -
- Businesses must screen all employees for Febrile Respiratory Illness (FRI) on a DAILY Basis.
- Businesses must tell all employees who do not meet the screening criteria to:
- Go home, and not to report back to work until 7 days from the after the onset on symptoms.
- Self Isolate at home, separating themselves from people who are not sick.
- If further medical care is needed, call a healthcare provider.
How do we screen employees - what do we ask? How do we document this?
Public Health has developed a Screening Checklist for Employers. Questions include symptoms, temperature, and if there has been recent contact with a COVID-19 confirmed case.
- An employer can designate one employee to conduct screenings.
- Completed forms are to be maintained on file at the place of business.
- Forms must be available for review at the request of the Mariposa County Public Health Branch.
Screening forms and a link to the online screening tool are available on our FRI Screening Information page.
What can be done in addition to screening to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 in a workplace?
Follow the advice of Public Health Officials; frequent hand washing, disinfectant practices and maintaining a distance from others of at least 6 feet where possible. Stay at home if you are feeling ill.
What will be done to ensure employers are following the screening order?
We will seek voluntary compliance of this order and the State order to shelter in place. However, violation of these orders are both subject to fine and improvement under the Health and Safety code.
What is the difference between isolation and quarantine?
Per the US Department of Health and Human Services isolation and quarantine are public health practices used to stop or limit the spread of disease. Isolation and quarantine help protect the public by preventing exposure to people who have or may have a contagious disease.
Isolation separates sick people with a contagious disease from people who are not sick.
Quarantine separates and restricts the movement of people who were exposed to a contagious disease to see if they become sick.
Isolation and quarantine are used to protect the public by preventing exposure to infected persons or to persons who may be infected.