Return-to-Work Precautions

After nearly three months of stay-at-home orders due to COVID-19, some businesses have reopened, allowing their employees to return to their workplaces. While there are still many unknowns involving COVID-19, especially in terms of whether you’ve been exposed or you’re immune to the virus, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released interim guidelines to help protect employees and customers upon reopening. But what can employees do to stay healthy as we continue to navigate the public health threat of COVID-19?

We know that COVID-19 spreads through airborne particles that float through the air from one person to another, within a six-foot radius, and transmit the virus by entering the body through the mouth, nose, or eyes. This is why it’s important to continue social distancing, washing your hands, disinfecting surfaces and on-the-job equipment, resisting the urge to touch your face, and wearing a face mask when you can.

You can also take precautions when returning from work to help protect your family by taking off your shoes before entering your home, designating a storage area for work-related items, showering and changing out of your work clothes before sitting on household furniture, and washing, disinfecting, or disposing of your face mask. You should avoid going to work if you’re sick or have symptoms of COVID-19, someone in your household is sick or has symptoms of COVID-19, or you’ve been notified that you’ve been in contact with someone within the last two weeks who has COVID-19.

Return-to-Work Precautions

While not all precautions may look the same, various safety measures have been taken by places of business to keep both employees and customers safe. Employees should discuss with their employers the best ways to avoid exposure to COVID-19 while working. View all CDC guideline documents related to COVID-19 here.

For more information about UT Health Austin or to schedule an appointment, click here or call 1-833-UT-CARES (1-833-882-2737).