Michigan Chamber of Commerce issued the following announcement.
Over the last few days, many Michigan Chamber members have questioned whether they can follow the new CDC guidelines that allow for a shortened quarantine period for
COVID-19 if no symptoms have been reported during daily monitoring. The Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MISOHA) issued a frequently asked question
(FAQ) document today on the topic.
The new CDC Guidelines specify that, while the CDC continues to recommend a quarantine period of 14 days, it is now offering alternatives to shorten the quarantine period.
Under the new guidelines, quarantine can end after Day 10 without testing and if no symptoms have been reported during daily monitoring.
The MIOSHA FAQ addresses the MIOSHA’s Emergency Rules as it relates to the new CDC Guidelines, answering this question: “Emergency Rule 6(5) allows the return to the
workplace after release from quarantine or isolation. What’s the current quarantine requirements?”
MIOSHA’s answer is as follows:
While the standard 14-day quarantine period remains and is the strategy that maximally reduces the risk of post-quarantine transmission, it can be reduced to 10 days if the
following two conditions exist:
The individual does not develop any symptoms or clinical evidence of COVID-19 infection during continued daily symptom monitoring for the 10 days after the last exposure.
Daily symptom monitoring continues through day 14 after the last exposure.
Persons returning adhere strictly through day 14 to all recommended, including wearing a mask, stay at least 6 feet from others, wash their hands, avoid crowds, and take other
steps to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
They should be advised that if any symptoms develop, they should immediately self-isolate and contact the local public health authority or their healthcare provider to report this
change in clinical status.
The MIOSHA FAQ further specifies the following: “With consideration for existing and potential limitations on the availability of testing resources and concerns of increased
turnaround time for lab results, MDHHS is currently reviewing options for further reduction of quarantine periods based on diagnostic testing results.” This statement refers to
another alternative in the revised CDC Guidelines, which specifies “[w]hen diagnostic testing resources are sufficient and available…quarantine can end after Day 7 if diagnostic
specimen tests negative and if no symptoms were reported during monitoring.”
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services issued guidance on Dec. 4 related to alternative COVID-19 quarantine periods. The new MIOSHA FAQ is consistent with
MDHHS guidance.
Please contact Wendy Block with any questions at wblock@michamber.com.
Original source can be found here.
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