Managers and supervisors should follow the existing sick time and/or extended sick leave policies for employees who test positive for COVID-19. Please remind your employee to let us know they tested positive at go.tufts.edu/COVIDpositive. You may gently encourage your employee to tell their coworkers, but you cannot require it. Do not reach out to your employee’s close contacts on their behalf. Informing close contacts is the sole responsibility of the person who tested positive, as it discloses private health information. Many “close contacts” identified by those who are not healthcare professionals do not actually meet the definition of a close contact. All close contacts should follow CDC guidelines. Close contacts who are vaccinated and boosted should watch for symptoms but continue attending school or work as normal.

If you test positive for COVID-19 at a facility outside of Tufts University (e.g., a home rapid test) please let us know at go.tufts.edu/COVIDpositive and follow the university’s isolation guidelines. Additionally, we highly recommend that you check the CDC’s definition of a close contact and inform them. All close contacts should follow CDC guidelines. Close contacts who are vaccinated and boosted should watch for symptoms but continue attending school or work as normal.

Per CDC guidance, fully boosted and vaccinated individuals should monitor for symptoms but may report to work. If you have further questions, please follow CDC guidelines.

Self-quarantine is recommended for individuals who may have been directly exposed to COVID-19 but are not experiencing symptoms. Follow the guidance of your health-care provider, and notify your supervisor that you cannot physically come to work.

If your work can be performed at home, you will be expected to work as directed and approved by your supervisor as long as you are asymptomatic during the self-quarantine, and you will receive your regular pay. Nonexempt staff must be sure to record and report their hours worked and should not work unauthorized overtime.

If you are unable to do your work from home, speak to your supervisor about alternative work options so that you can continue work at home. If no work is possible, you will receive your base pay for the self-quarantine period (two weeks). During the self-quarantine period please keep in touch with your supervisor regarding on-line training, professional development or other duties that you may be able to perform from home.