See Cal/OSHA COVID-19 Prevention Non-Emergency Regulations and related FAQs for more information on employer requirements related to COVID-19 testing, exposure and isolation.
| In the event a worker tests positive for COVID-19, employers must follow the requirements outlined in Cal/OSHA COVID-19 Prevention Non-Emergency Regulations or, if applicable, the Cal/OSHA Aerosol Transmissible Diseases (ATD) Standard. |
Employers should also refer to the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) Responding to COVID-19 in the Workplace for Employers webpage for additional guidance.
The County of Santa Clara discourages employers from requiring a medical note from a doctor or healthcare provider for clearance to return to work after a worker has COVID-19.
| Businesses and employers in non-healthcare settings must follow Cal/OSHA requirements, including requirements to report COVID-19 outbreaks to Cal/OSHA. For more information, refer to Cal/OSHA COVID-19 Prevention Non-Emergency Regulations and related FAQs. |
Most non-healthcare businesses are no longer required by law to report COVID-19 cases or outbreaks among staff to the Public Health Department. However, businesses can voluntarily report large outbreaks of 20 or more cases by calling the Public Health Department’s Communicable Disease Prevention and Control Program at (408) 885-4214.
During an outbreak, additional layers of protection may be needed to halt transmission. It is important to identify and test all potentially exposed individuals regardless of their vaccination status. It is also important to review internal COVID-19 response plans, identify ongoing COVID-19 hazards at the workplace, and determine what additional mitigation steps may be needed.
If your business is experiencing an outbreak and you need support in understanding COVID-19 guidance or would like additional technical assistance from Public Health, please contact [email protected].
Guidance for ventilation and air filtration systems
Visit sccphd.org/saferair to learn how to improve indoor air at your business or refer to additional resources below.
- Interim guidance for ventilation, filtration, and air quality in indoor environments (California Department of Public Health)
- Ventilation in buildings (Centers for Disease Control)
- Best practices for ventilation of isolation areas in skilled nursing facilities, long-term care facilities, hospices, drug treatment facilities, and homeless shelters (California Department of Public Health)
Additional guidance and resources
- Responding to COVID-19 in the workplace (California Department of Public Health)
- Statewide industry guidance to reduce risk (California Department of Public Health)
- Cal/OSHA COVID-19 guidance and resources (California Division of Occupational Safety and Health)
- Labor and Workforce Development Agency (State of California)
- Employment Development Department (EDD) (State of California)
- COVID-19 worker benefits and leave navigator (State of California)
- sccfairworkplace.org (County of Santa Clara)