Corona Virus
Employers should not ask employees for a negative test to confirm they can return to work
An employee can return to work after 14 days after quarantine
Your WINDOW PERIOD is 1-14 days if you have NO SYMPTOMS.
Going for a test in the WINDOW PERIOD is of no value (NEGATIVE result CANNOT BE TRUSTED)
ONLY go for a test if you have SYMPTOMS.
NEGATIVE TEST= 0-70% reliable
False negatives are possible and common. We cannot use a negative test to say you are
not infected.
If you are SICK, STAY home.
You have not had close contact with a positive person
You are a contact of contact (you are not personally the close contact)
You wore full PPE and did not spend a prolonged period in a closed space
You do NOT need to quarantine
Being face-to-face (<1m)
Being in a small room or car/taxi or 15min Living in the same house or sharing the same kitchen and utensils
Kissing, touching, holding hands or hugging
Someone coughing on you
NEGATIVE TEST= 0-70% reliable
False negatives are possible and common. We cannot use a negative test to say you are not infected.
If you are SICK. STAY home.
What is CLOSE CONTACT with a POSITIVE person:
Being face-to-face (<1m)
Being in a small room or car/taxi or 15min Living in the same house or sharing the same kitchen and utensils, kissing, touching, holding hands or hugging someone coughing on you.
So no going out, no visitors and no test 14 days from the LAST CONTACT.
This is the window period. You might be infected. A negative test does not change this, 14 days for
everyone.
If you get symptoms, you start self-isolation (new14 days}.
NO EXCEPTIONS.
This is if you have symptoms of COVID-19 and need to stay away from others.
You are contagious. Wear a mask at home, clean surfaces regularly, stay in a ventilated room.
Stay alone. No going out. No visitors. 14 days from the start of symptoms (not from the test).
NO EXCEPTIONS.
No test needed for this.
It will not change anything.
14 days.
Simple.
Stay alert: the more contact we have, the sooner we will be exposed
Stay healthy: keep your other medical conditions under control
Stay calm: more than 85% of people only have mild illness.
You have not had close contact with a positive person
You are a contact of contact (you are not personally the close contact)
You wore full PPE and did not spend a prolonged period in a closed space
You do NOT need to quarantine.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
- Follow CDC’s recommendations for using a facemask.
- CDC does not recommend that people who are well wear a facemask to protect themselves from respiratory diseases, including COVID-19.
- Facemasks should be used by people who show symptoms of COVID-19 to help prevent the spread of the disease to others. The use of facemasks is also crucial for health workers and people who are taking care of someone in close settings (at home or in a health care facility).
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
- If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.