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Health district issues COVID-19 advice for employers, employees

| March 23, 2020 11:41 PM

MOSES LAKE — Grant County Health District officials recommended Monday that employers screen workers daily for symptoms of illness during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Gov. Jay Inslee on Monday evening ordered closure of non-essential businesses to combat the virus outbreak. But some businesses, including grocery stores, day care operations and pharmacies, and other employers will remain open. Restaurants are still allowed to provide takeout and offer delivery.

All employees should be screened daily, according to GCHD, and sent home if they have symptoms. Coronavirus symptoms include fever, persistent cough and shortness of breath.

Employees and customers should practice “social distancing,” staying at least six feet away from each other, including in areas used for employee breaks. The health district also recommended that employees wear some form of covering for the nose and mouth, like a bandanna or mask, at all times in the workplace. Employees should clean and disinfect all frequently touched surfaces at least once each day. Those include doorknobs, handrails, desks and tables. Proper hand-washing materials should be available at all times to employees, and people should wash hands frequently, or use hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol.

People in high-risk categories, which includes older people, those with an underlying medical condition or a compromised immune system, are asked to stay home.

— Cheryl Schweizer