Expand AllClick here for a more accessible versionI may have been exposed to COVID-19 but am not showing symptoms. Should I report to work? (Updated 10/08/21)
If you were notified that you were a close contact of someone who is has COVID-19, do not report to work until the end of the quarantine period in accordance with CDC and DOH Guidelines. Those who are fully vaccinated or those who had COVID-19 in the past 90 days and remain asymptomatic do not need to quarantine. Fully vaccinated people should, however, wear a mask indoors in public for 14 days following exposure or until a negative test result; and get tested and isolate immediately if they start to experience COVID-19 symptoms.Contact your immediate supervisor and discuss with your healthcare provider for guidance. The PA DOH and CDC recommend you seek testing 3-5 days after exposure. Nnotification from a physician or public health organization is necessary in order to quarantine.
Quarantine periods for close contacts of a positive case are usually 14 days, but there are options to reduce the quarantine period.
How should I notify my supervisor if I have tested positive or was told I was a probable positive case for COVID-19? What are the next steps? (Updated 5/31/21)
You should contact your supervisor through your normal channels of communication and advise them that you have tested positive or are probable positive for COVID-19. Inform your supervisor how long you are required to isolate and discuss the appropriate leave to use. You may be eligible for COVID-19 Emergency Paid Sick Leave. Contact your FMLA Specialist at 717-346-4667 for more information regarding the use of ES leave. Contact your supervisory staff or agency HR office with questions regarding the use of paid or other leave without pay options. Guidance on the appropriate leave to use can also be found on the
COVID-19 Leave Information website.
You may need a release to return to work.
Should I come to work if someone in my household has COVID-19? (Updated 5/31/21)
If someone in your household is confirmed or probable positive for COVID-19, you should quarantine (unless you are fully vaccinated) and contact your health care provider to discuss testing for COVID-19.
Quarantine periods for close contacts of a positive case are usually 14 days but there are options to reduce the quarantine period.
Consult with your supervisor on the appropriate type of leave to use. You may be eligible for COVID-19 Emergency Paid Sick Leave. For more information, contact the HR Service Center – FMLA Services at 866-377-2672 to obtain guidance on the appropriate leave to use.
The
COVID-19 Leave Information website is also a source of information available to you.
If someone in my household tests positive or is probable positive, are my coworkers at risk?
Employees who had contact with the person who is now self-quarantining due to a household exposure should continue to monitor their own health. Because it is not a direct exposure, there are no necessary immediate actions.
What leave should be used if an employee meets screening guidance to be sent home, but has not tested positive for COVID-19 or been in contact with a known positive case? (Updated 5/31/21)
If you exhibit symptoms during the self-screening process, but have not been tested, you should stay home and seek medical attention. Consult with your supervisor on the leave that may be available to you. You may be eligible for COVID-19 Emergency Paid Sick Leave. Contact your FMLA Specialist at 717-346-4667 for more information regarding the use of ES leave. Contact your supervisory staff or agency HR office with questions regarding the use of paid or other leave without pay options. Guidance on the appropriate leave to use can also be found on the COVID-19 Leave Information website.
If I have symptoms and I am asked to go home, do I need to use leave?
If you are showing symptoms and are asked to go home, you will need to use leave. Consult with your supervisor on the appropriate type of leave to use. You may be eligible for COVID-19 Emergency Paid Sick Leave. For more information contact the HR Service Center – FMLA Services at 866-377-2672 to obtain guidance on the appropriate leave to use. The COVID-19 Leave Information website is also a source of information available to you.
Do I need a doctor’s note to self-quarantine? Do supervisors have to approve all requests to self-quarantine?
You should have a justifiable reason to self-quarantine, such as direct exposure to COVID-19. Documentation from a physician, the health department or other contact tracing group will be required to confirm the need for you to close contact self-quarantine. Consult with your supervisor on the appropriate type of leave to use. You may be eligible for COVID-19 Emergency Paid Sick Leave. Contact your FMLA Specialist at 717-346-4667 for more information regarding the use of ES leave. Contact your supervisory staff or agency HR office with questions regarding the use of paid or other leave without pay options. Guidance on the appropriate leave to use can also be found on the COVID-19 Leave Information website.
Will I be notified if a coworker is diagnosed with COVID-19? (Updated 10/08/21)
No, agencies are no longer performg contract tracing and notifying worksites of positive cases in the workplace. In order to have the best protection from contracting COVID-19, get vaccinated, wear a mask and maintain physical distance when possible.
If a coworker leaves the office with symptoms, what should other employees do? (Updated 10/08/21)
Symptoms are not necessarily indicative of a positive case of COVID-19.
You should continue to wash your hands frequently, weark a mask, practice physical distancing, and monitor your own health.
If a coworker leaves the office with symptoms, will the office be closed, and will additional cleaning be done? (Updated 5/31/21)
In most instances, the office will not be closed since cleaning will occur in the employee’s immediate workspace as well as those areas where the employee frequented.
Will employees need to undergo health screenings at the start and end of the workday? (Updated 5/31/21)
Individuals should self-screen for symptoms of COVID-19 prior to each shift. Screenings at the workplace will not occur in most cases.
If an individual is a positive case, probable case or is under quarantine for exposure to a positive case of COVID-19 and is expected to report to a commonwealth workplace or offsite work location, may the employee telework from their alternate work location in lieu of taking ES their own leave? (Added 8/20/21)
Yes. The agency and supervisor may allow an individual to telework from their alternate work location if all the following criteria are met.
- The individual feels well enough to telework
- The individual has work available that can be done at the alternate work location
- The supervisor approves the telework based on staffing needs
The individual will be required to provide documentation to show the need to telework was due to COVID-19, i.e., they were symptomatic and seeking a diagnosis or were otherwise required to quarantine. Telework in lieu of taking leave cannot be used to care for another individual or dependent diagnosed with COVID-19.
Note: Telework in lieu of taking leave cannot be used for reasons not related to COVID-19. See telework policies and FAQs for more information.
What if my temperature is 100.4 Fahrenheit or higher or I have COVID-19 symptoms? (Updated 5/31/21)
You should not report to work if you have a temperature of 100.4 Fahrenheit or higher or if you have COVID-19 symptoms that are not related to a pre-existing medical condition. If you report to work, you may be instructed to return home and contact your health care provider for further assistance.
You should contact your supervisor to call off work and obtain guidance on what type of leave to use for your absence. You may be eligible for COVID-19 Emergency Paid Sick Leave. Contact your FMLA Specialist at 717-346-4667 for more information regarding the use of ES leave. Contact your supervisory staff or agency HR office with questions regarding the use of paid or other leave without pay options. Guidance on the appropriate leave to use can also be found on the
COVID-19 Leave Information website.
I have allergies. Can I be required to stay home because I have symptoms that mirror COVID-19?
No. If your worksite is conducting health screenings, please notify the screener that you have a medical condition that causes symptoms such as runny nose or cough. Allergies and other illnesses like asthma and COPD are chronic conditions unrelated to COVID-19.
I telework but have been diagnosed as COVID-19 positive. What should I do? (Updated 5/31/21)
If you were not in the office within the 48 hours before symptoms began, and are able to work, no action is necessary.
If you were in the workplace within the 48 hours before symptoms began, let your supervisor know.
If you are unable to work, consult with your supervisor on the leave that may be available to you. You may be eligible for COVID-19 Emergency Paid Sick Leave. Contact your FMLA Specialist at 717-346-4667 for more information regarding the use of ES leave. Contact your supervisory staff or agency HR office with questions regarding the use of paid or other leave without pay options. Guidance on the appropriate leave to use can also be found on the COVID-19 Leave Information website.