Michigan COVID-19 Symptoms for Workers Who Stay Home Definition Clarified

Tuesday, September 1, 2020

On August 27, 2020, Governor Whitmer signed a brand new government order revising and clarifying a beforehand issued government order. On August 7, 2020, Governor Whitmer signed Government Order 2020-166 to replace the protections for workers who stay dwelling from work after they or one among their shut contacts has signs of COVID-19 or checks constructive for the illness. The one change between EO 2020-166, and its substitute, EO 2020-172, is the brand new definition of the “principal signs of COVID-19.” EO 2020-172 can be utilized prospectively and is efficient as of August 27, 2020.

The aim of EO 2020-166 and its predecessor order, EO 2020-36, was to permit staff to remain dwelling from work after they have been at specific threat of infecting others with COVID-19. The order was not supposed to guard staff who keep dwelling for unrelated causes reminiscent of a chilly, meals poisoning, or allergic reactions. Nevertheless, the up to date definition of the principal signs of COVID-19 contained in EO 2020-166 inspired absenteeism and mistakenly protected staff who didn’t really show signs of COVID-19.

Particularly, EO 2020-166 outlined the principal signs as “fever, sore throat, a brand new uncontrollable cough that causes problem respiration, diarrhea, vomiting, stomach ache, new onset of a extreme headache, and new lack of style or scent.” Below this definition, medical professionals had the discretion to supply staff with written documentation excusing them from work after they had any of the signs listed below EO 2020-166, even when the signs have been attributable to present situations. Thus, below EO 2020-166, medical professionals might err on the aspect of warning, and supply physician’s slips for people who posed little to no threat of infecting others with COVID-19.

EO 2020-172 to clarifies this very subject. The order now states that the principal signs are:

(i) any one of many following not defined by a identified medical or bodily situation:
fever,
an uncontrollable cough,
shortness of breath; or

(ii) at the very least two of the next not defined by a identified medical or bodily situation:
lack of style or small
muscle aches (“myalgia”)
sore throat
extreme headache
diarrhea
vomiting; or
stomach ache.

Transferring ahead, staff who stay dwelling and want to search the advantages and protections supplied below EO 2020-172 should meet the stricter definition of the “principal signs of COVID-19.” Employers ought to fastidiously overview physician’s slips and requests to remain dwelling to make sure that an worker’s absence is roofed by EO 2020-172.