Fresno County Requires Employers to Screen Employees and Visitors for the Coronavirus

In an order published on its website on Thursday, March 26, 2020, the Fresno County Interim Health Officer, Rais Vohra, M.D., issued an order requiring all Fresno employers to screen their employees daily for febrile respiratory illness.[1]    

The order has directions for all residents of the County, for all employers and for health care providers.  https://www.co.fresno.ca.us/home/showdocument?id=42190

Residents are required to monitor for signs and symptoms of COVID-19.  Here’s a bulletin explaining those signs and symptoms.  If residents have COVID-19 symptoms, they must isolate themselves for seven days and notify close contacts to quarantine themselves for 14 days. 

Health Care Providers must report all patients seen with a febrile respiratory illness to the public health branch of the Health and Human Services agency.  They must provide the patient’s demographic and contact information as well as the results of any rapid point of care testing and results.  Finally, they must direct the patient to isolate him or herself for seven days and to notify close contacts of the need to self-quarantine for 14 days. 

All employers are required to screen employees daily for febrile respiratory illness.  Employers must exclude employees that report febrile respiratory illness for seven days from the end of symptoms.  They must direct employees to isolate themselves at home and notify close contacts to quarantine themselves for 14 days. 

The Order did not include or describe the type of testing required of all employees.  However, if you look at a separate page on the website for the County’s Department of Public Health, you will find a COVID-19 Screening Checklist.  https://www.co.fresno.ca.us/Home/ShowDocument?id=42198

The Checklist indicates that it should be given to all employees and visitors entering your buildings.  Moreover, it compels screenings at the beginning and at the end of each workday. 

The Checklist raises a few issues.  For example, does the Department of Public Health really expect employers to monitor visitors?  Does it expect big box stores to question patrons before they enter the store?  Does the Department expect the general public to be honest in answering the questions, and in isolating themselves? 

In spite of its shortcomings, we advise employers to comply with the law and monitor employees for signs and symptoms of COVID-19.  Contact your attorney if you have questions about compliance with this order or any order issued by a government agency. 

Doug Larsen, [email protected], 559.256.5000