Loose guidelines for businesses with one COVID-19 case

Loose guidelines for businesses with one COVID-19 case

Isolation...and no one is in the hospital.

We've talked a lot about what happens when there's a workplace outbreak -- and the steps they have to take to ensure it's a safe environment for everyone*before they can reopen.

But as kezi 9 news reporter jillian smukler shows us, - it's not so cut and dry for businesses that have just one case.

The debate over whether or not businesses with very few cases have to be transparent with the community continues.

But -- its becoming more clear.

Technically -- they don't.

"no it is not required that a business goes public" but they do if theres a cluster.

Which is considered five or more cases in a business -- or ten or more cases in a social setting.

Still -- health officials work with businesses to figure out what those next steps will look like if someone tests positive.

They have several consultations with the business and basically weigh the pros and cons of notifying the public.

They also recommend cdc guidelines for them to follow.

Davis,"we have a specific business team that works in a preventative capacity helping businesses understand guidane and how they can prevent cases" but its a case by case basis -- depending on the type of business it is and different variables regarding the case.

Bridge: let's face it there's a lot of unknowns surrounding this virus but what we do know is that hundreds of business owners here in the willamette valley have to prepare for what would happen if an employee or a customer tests positive for covid 19 while being in the workplace.

Some local business owners say the lack of guidance is frustrating and is causing many to stay closed.

<business owner "people with a lot more to lose arent open right now just because of the concern that hey we're still liable if something happens because theres not a lot of guidelines for it" he says it also comes down to the individual owner -- which might not be the*best choice.

Business owner "its almost a moral issue of since theres no guidelines and there is nothing you really need to do do you do what you think is right and shut your business down and suffer that angle or do you just go business as usual" and others agree.

One restaurant worker who wants to remain anonymous out of fear of losing her job says -- not having specific protocal in place causes*employees to feel unsafe.

Employee "we were never asked to get tested we were just sent home after cleaning and told to return tomorrow and her concern is that -- business is being prioritized over employee's safety.

Employee,"they just took our word for it that they cleaned and that's why noone feels safe" but -- davis tells me if any employee believes the business is*not doing what they should be in terms of safety -- they should contact ohsha.

Because they're the ones who can enforce the rules.

Reporting in eugene jillian smukler kezi 9 news.

The city of