On April 1, Executive Director Ryan issued the Third Updated Public Health Order 20-24. This order clarifies that if someone is sick or has been exposed to someone who is sick, they must not go to work, even for critical businesses. This extends to all illnesses, not just COVID-19 illness. If someone is experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, they must self-isolate. COVID-19 symptoms include but are not limited to cough, shortness of breath, or fever.
Self-isolation must occur (i) for at least seven days since symptoms first appeared, (ii) other symptoms have improved, and if the individual had a fever (iii) until they have not had a fever for at least 72 hours and are not on medicine that reduces fever for those 72 hours. The CDC has provided a flow chart to help determine if someone has COVID-19, the flu, a cold, or allergies. However, Colorado’s order is stricter than the CDC and requires anyone who is sick to stay home and follow the self-isolation steps detailed above.
In order to monitor this, we recommend you implement mandatory COVID-19 enforcement on-site. This includes having a person on-site designated to enforce Social Distancing Requirements. This person should wear something that designates them for the task and makes them identifiable to others; they should monitor workers coming onto the job, send home anyone showing symptoms or who, upon questioning, has been exposed, and should enforce the use of PPE.
If this person sends someone home, they should track the earliest the person is able to return to work. If the person who is sent home does not have a fever, this will be one week from symptoms first appearing. When the person comes back to work, you should arrange a way to pre-screen and assess the individual in a way that minimizes exposure to others, but allows you to check their temperature and monitor the symptoms prior to their entering the facility.
Social Distancing Requirements must be in place and enforced at all times when it possible to do so. The social distancing requirements are to maintain at least a six-foot distance from other individuals, wash hands with soap and water for at least twenty seconds as frequently as possible or use hand sanitizer, cover coughs or sneezes (into the sleeve or elbow, not hands), regularly clean high-touch surfaces, and not shake hands. Here is a guide on social distancing requirements and how they can be applied in construction.
Download our free template re-entry tracker here.
For more information on the order, please contact Dan Wennogle. This article was co-authored by Bobby Dishell, Law Student Intern at Moye White.