Managing Covid-19 in the Workplace
With the cases of Covid-19 still on the rise, it’s important that your employees are safe at work.
The Work Safety Protocol which has been in place since the 31st of January 2022 is still fully applicable in all workplaces. As of now, there are no plans in place to update the document. All companies should have a Covid-19 response plan.
You are probably wondering what type of information you should provide to employees on how to manage symptoms, cases and contacts. Employees should be directed to the general Covid-19 information on the HSE website.
Employees that are displaying cold and hay fever symptoms and are reluctant to attend the workplace should not attend the workplace. They should be directed to the HSE website and asked to comply with the public health requirements.
The current advice is that if you are showing symptoms, even mild ones you should:
• self-isolate (stay in your room) until 48 hours after your symptoms are mostly or fully gone
• wear a face mask if you have to be around other people#
This applies even if you completed your first round of Covid-19 vaccination, had a booster or had Covid-19 in the past.
Displaying Symptoms in the Workplace
If an employee is displaying symptoms of Covid-19 in the workplace the person should be moved to a designated isolation area and provided with a suitable face covering in order to minimize the risk of transmission.
Distinguishing between Covid-19 and Hay fever symptoms
Employees who suffer from hay fever are usually familiar with the symptoms. If in doubt they should follow public health advice and not attend the workplace until 48 hours after their symptoms are mostly or fully gone.
Managing Close Contacts in the Workplace
The advice around close contacts has changed. If an employee thinks they have been in close contact with someone who has Covid-19, they do not need to restrict movements or self-isolate. They should:
Watch out for symptoms of Covid-19 - it can take up to 14 days after you are infected for symptoms to show.
Take extra care to follow the advice on protecting others from Covid-19, in case you have the virus.
Testing Positive
All confirmed cases should self-isolate for a full 7 days from the date of onset symptoms or is asymptomatic, from the date of a positive test result.
Reporting Outbreaks
There is no longer a requirement to report an outbreak to the HSE.
Related Articles
Update: Steps to Reduce the Spread of Covid-19 in the Workplace
