b'EMPLOYEE RETURNING FROM TRIP - Precautions in Light of COVID-19?Question From High Risk Countries which contains additional links. If, We have crews that ride together in vehicles and performhowever, there are other risk factors (Click here for the CDCs work outside. We have explained to employees that work isrisk assessment guidance), then certainly the employer optional during this time and we have encouraged employ- should take additional and appropriate precautionary mea-ees to stay home if they feel sick or are concerned aboutsures to protect the health and safety of its workplace and exposure. We have an employee who is returning from a tripthose who work or visit it.to Puerto Rico. She is planning on returning and the crewAs for a doctors note, the US Department of Labors current she is assigned to is afraid of exposure. Can we require thatguidance addresses this as follows:she doesnt come in or turn in a doctors note before return?May an employer require an employee who is out sick with How can we protect other employees? pandemic influenza to provide a doctors note, submit to Answer a medical exam, or remain symptom-free for a specified At present the CDCs guidance indicates that only employeesamount of time before returning to work?who are returning from travel to countries that have a LevelYes. However, employers should consider that during a 3 Travel Health Notice (where there is widespread, ongoingpandemic, healthcare resources may be overwhelmed and transmission) need stay home for 14 days from the time theyit may be difficult for employees to get appointments with left such area and practice social distancing. Puerto Rico isdoctors or other health care providers to verify they are well not among the areas presently at Level 3. As such, it doesor no longer contagious. During a pandemic health crisis, un-not appear that the subject employee would be required toder the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), an employer self-quarantine as a result of this trip pursuant to the presentwould be allowed to require a doctors note, a medical ex-guidance from the CDC. We recommend that you review theamination, or a time period during which the employee has CDCs guidance on this issue directly at Travelers Returningbeen symptom free, before it allows the employee to return 58 www.wpma.com / Summer 2020'