FAQ's for Workplaces and Employers

FAQ blocks

The answers below are subject to change based on the current case and contact management guidelines. Please be aware of the date that this webpage has been last modified and the date that is reflected on the following case and contact management guidelines. NOTE: As of October 1, guidance about COVID-19 as it pertains to international travel has changed. Visit Travel.gc.ca for the most updated guidance related to travel to and from Canada. Date Modified: September 29, 2022

Employer Specific Questions

Do I need to report to Public Health if I have 2 or more workers that have tested positive?

Here are the following settings that must report an outbreak:

Hospitals (including complex continuing care facilities and paramedic services)
Congregate living settings (Long-Term Care, retirement homes, First Nation elder care lodges, group homes, shelters, hospices, and correctional institutions)

Businesses that are not considered any of the above settings are not required to report to Public Health at this time.

I have a worker that just tested positive on a Rapid Antigen Test (RAT). What are my next steps?

Here are the following next steps once a worker (case) tested positive on a RAT:

Send the case home
- Case should isolate.
- For 24 hours symptoms improving, or 48 hours if gastrointestinal symptoms, and be fever free before ending isolation.

Any workers that were exposed that are asymptomatic should self-monitor for 10 days from last known exposure and wear a well-fitted mask in public settings.
Any workers that were exposed that are symptomatic should self-isolate.

For a total of 10 days after symptom onset or positive test result (whichever was earliest), cases must wear a well-fitted mask as much as possible in public settings (with reasonable exceptions for eating lunch physically distanced from other employees) and avoid activities that require removal of a mask (i.e. dining out).
If household members of the case start having symptoms or test positive within 90 days, there is no need for the case to re-isolate. The case can work and self-monitor for 10 days.

I have an employee who is unvaccinated and is returning to work following their isolation, when can I restart our rapid antigen screening process after their return?

Workers can restart their asymptomatic screening 30 days after the date their symptoms started or positive test results. You can test immediately if you are unsure of the validity of the positive result and are asymptomatic.

I am not comfortable with my employee returning to work after isolating, can I require them to complete a 10-day isolation?

Southwestern Public Health currently only provides guidance and advice. If the employee has completed their isolation period and their symptoms are resolving, they can return to work based on our guidance. However, Southwestern Public Health does not intervene with internal workplace policy disputes.

Worker Specific Questions

I have tested positive on a RAT and am currently isolating. Am I required to do another Rapid Antigen Test to leave isolation?

No, there is no need to take another RAT to leave isolation. Follow the isolation instructions outlined above.

I have tested positive on a RAT and am currently isolating. Can I receive a letter from Public Health that says that I am eligible to go back to work?

No, Southwestern Public Health does not provide any letters involving your return to work.

I have completed my isolation following a positive RAT, my workplace is requesting a negative test prior to returning to work. What happens if that test is positive?

Based on current guidelines, workers can start asymptomatic screening 30 days after the date their symptoms started or positive test results.