To: All North American Employees
From: Dr. Richard Vinroot, Vice President and Medical Director
Date: January 12, 2022
Employees who test positive for COVID-19 may now return to work five days after their positive test if their symptoms have been resolved for at least 24 hours, a change reflecting the latest guidance on isolation and quarantine from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
In addition, unvaccinated employees exposed to COVID-19 are required to quarantine for five days instead of 10 days.
The company’s Return to Work Guidelines have been updated with this change after Human Resources, Health and Safety, and the executive team carefully reviewed the CDC recommendations.
The CDC shortened the quarantine timeframe based on scientific studies showing infectiousness peaks earlier, meaning a longer quarantine does not keep the virus from spreading.
The rest of the company’s Return to Work policy stays the same, including the following highlights:
- Quarantine is not required for fully vaccinated employees with an exposure to someone with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 if they meet all of the criteria in the Return to Work Guidelines.
- Sick employees are required to stay home.
Although the quarantine change may feel like restrictions are loosening up, it’s extremely important to remain vigilant. Cases continue to increase with omicron, and hospitals still are overwhelmed with patients. Please be disciplined in following the company’s mitigation measures of social distancing, wearing a mask and staying home when sick.
We appreciate all our employees who have been following these protocols and who have been vaccinated. These actions to protect yourself and others have helped to keep our essential business operations running while keeping co-workers and community members safe.
Learn more by reading the policies and FAQs:
Please know that I am always available to discuss any medical issue or answer any COVID-19 questions.