The CDC recently updated its definition of “close contact.”  Previously, the CDC defined “close contact” as being within 6 feet of an infected person for 15 consecutive minutes. Now, the CDC defines it as being “within 6 feet of an infected person for a cumulative total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period starting from 2 days before illness onset (or, for asymptomatic patients, 2 days prior to test specimen collection) until the time the patient is isolated.”  

Employers should be aware of the CDC’s new, expanded “close contact” definition, as it may entitle more employees to COVID-19 related leave under federal and/or New York law.

The CDC’s Glossary of Key Terms, which includes the new definition of “close contact,” is available here: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/php/contact-tracing/contact-tracing-plan/appendix.html#contact

A summary of the federal Families First Coronavirus Response Act is available here: https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/pandemic/ffcra-employee-paid-leave

A summary of New York’s COVID-19 leave law is available here: https://paidfamilyleave.ny.gov/covid19

The Attorneys at Levene Gouldin & Thompson, LLP are available to provide advice and counsel concerning matters related to COVID-19.