Risk-based work restriction (e.g. removal from onsite work) recommendations are complex and based on many factors including, but not limited to, your work location and duties, the circumstances of exposure to a person with COVID-19, vaccination history, underlying health conditions that could increase the chance of infecting others, and more. Thus, the guidance below is general and it is possible that based on these factors, you may be restricted from performing onsite work up to 10 days or possibly longer due to your specific situation. This guidance applies to all positive COVID-19 tests, whether they are from NIH testing services, community-based COVID-19 testing, or at-home antigen tests.
Requirements After Testing Positive (per Worker Type)
| Type of Worker (Based on your current address in NED) |
|---|
| |
Tier 1 Mission Critical |
On-site (Other) |
Remote or Full Time Teleworkers |
Type of Case/Exposure to Report | All (e.g, Work, Community, Family, Travel, Unknown) | All (e.g., Work, Community, Family, Travel, Unknown)
| COVID-19 likely not contracted during performance of official work duties at the physical workspace. Reporting is not necessary unless you think you may have been exposed at work or live with a healthcare associated worker or Tier 1 worker/contractor. | COVID-19 likely not contracted during performance of official work duties. Reporting is not necessary unless you think you might have been exposed through work or live with a healthcare associated worker or Tier 1 worker/contractor. |
Report Online?
(if test not performed through NIH) |
Yes |
Yes
| Contact OMS at (301) 480-8990 to set up a consultation appointment with a provider if your case meets reporting criteria or you are unsure. | Contact OMS at (301) 480-8990 to set up a consultation appointment with a provider if your case meets reporting criteria or you are unsure. |
Does OMS conduct contact tracing? | Yes | Yes
| Only if OMS provider determines your case was work related and had the potential to expose other workers. | Only if OMS provider determines your case was work related and had the potential to expose other workers. |
When is the earliest you can return to the physical workspace? | On Day 11 AND 24-hours fever free without medicine (e.g., aspirin, acetaminophen, ibuprofen, etc.)
More Info | Follow guidance from your local public health department or the CDC Quarantine and Isolation Calculator (whichever is longer). No entry to any NIH location prior to day 6 and no entry into healthcare associated spaces prior to day 11 AND 24 hours fever free without medicine (e.g., aspirin, acetominophen, ibuprofen, etc.)
More Info | Follow guidance from your local public health department or the CDC Quarantine and Isolation Calculator (whichever is longer). No entry to any NIH location prior to day 6 and no entry into healthcare associated spaces prior to day 11 AND 24 hours fever free without medicine (e.g., aspirin, acetominophen, ibuprofen, etc.)
More Info
| Follow guidance from your local public health department or the CDC Quarantine and Isolation Calculator (whichever is longer). No entry to any NIH location prior to day 6 and no entry into healthcare associated spaces prior to day 11 AND 24 hours fever free without medicine (e.g., aspirin, acetominophen, ibuprofen, etc.)
More Info
|
Is a Blue Slip required to return to work the physical workplace? | Yes | Yes
| No | No |
Quarantine -- the separation and restriction of movement of people who were exposed to a contagious disease to see if they become sick.
Isolation -- The separation of a sick person from people that are not sick.
Fever -- Per the CDC, any temperature 100.4 F or greater is considered a fever.
*Quarantine/isolation may be defined by] your health department and personal physician's recommendations for isolation, protective precautions, and resumption of routine activities. CDC guidance for isolation and quarantine may be useful to keep you, your household, and your community safe.
Type of Worker - Detailed Description
Healthcare or Healthcare Associated Worker
- Entire Building 10 complex
- Children's Inn
- Safra Family Lodge
- Harbor Hospital NIA Facilities
- NIDA BRC Clinical Facilities
- Phoenix Indian Medical Center
- (NIDDK)
- NIH Asymptomatic Testing Sites
- NIH Fire and Rescue Services that provide EMS patient care
- Community Health Clinics operated or staffed by NIH employees
- All NIH Patient Shuttles
|
Tier 1 Mission Critical
Defined as emergency status designation in NED or contract (e.g. mission critical non-healthcare workers such as police, central utility plant operators, and animal care) |
On-site (Other)
Non- Healthcare Personnel who report to work at NIH Facilities not listed above |
Remote or full time teleworkers
Who have not reported to the Physical Workspace in the 48 hours prior to onset of symptoms or positive test result |
Staff who work in healthcare settings are subject to different work restrictions which also take into account a facility's operating status (e.g., conventional, contingency, or crisis). COVID-19-related guidance for healthcare worker return-to-work policies are located on the CDC website.
Leave for Personnel that Test Positive
The Safer Federal Workforce FAQs state that employees isolated after a positive COVID -19 diagnosis may request sick leave if they are unable to telework. Weather and Safety leave is no longer available for this purpose. Employees may also request accrued annual leave or other forms of paid or unpaid leave. https://www.saferfederalworkforce.gov/faq/leave/
Work-Related COVID-19 Cases
All work-related COVID-19 cases should be reported to OMS to be logged within 24 hours. The COVID-19 log contains, for each instance, all information required by OSHA under the OSHA Recording and Reporting Occupational Injuries and Illness standard (29 CFR 1904), including the employee's name, one form of contact information, occupation, location where the employee worked, the date of the employee's last day at the workplace, the date of the positive test for, or diagnosis of, COVID-19, and the date the employee first had one or more COVID-19 symptoms, if any were experienced. This information is a confidential medical record. However, personnel may request their record by contacting the OMS. A redacted version of all cases is also available upon request.
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