What is the procedure in case of staff exposure to COVID-19?

According to the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), workers in veterinary hospitals and clinics were identified as essential healthcare and public health workers and these facilities were exempted from closure. Masks are not required for fully vaccinated individuals, except in the following settings where masks are required for everyone, regardless of vaccination status:

• On public transit (examples: airplanes, ships, ferries, trains, subways, buses, taxis, and ride-shares) and in transportation hubs (examples: airport, bus terminal, marina, train station, seaport or other port, subway station, or any other area that provides transportation)
• Indoors in K-12 schools, childcare and other youth settings.
  • Note: This may change as updated K-12 schools guidance is forthcoming, pending updates for K-12 operational guidance from the CDC.
• Healthcare settings (including long term care facilities) 
• State and local correctional facilities and detention centers
• Homeless shelters, emergency shelters, and cooling centers 

To learn more about the recommended guidance for face covering click here.

What is the procedure in case of staff exposure to COVID-19? 

In the event of staff exposure to COVID-19:

1. The exposed staff member will be sent home and a COVID-19 test will be administered 
2. All areas the exposed staff member came in contact with will be cleaned and disinfected 
3. Until the results of the COVID-19 test come back, RSVH will go back to our pandemic policy where no clients will be allowed inside the building. If the test is negative, we will resume our reopening procedures and the staff member will be allowed to come back to work 

What is the procedure in case of a positive test for a staff member?

In the event of a positive test for a staff member:

1. The public will be notified through all of our communication channels
2. The building will enter into the pandemic policy (in-client visits will stop and only pets and RSVH staff will be allowed into the building) while the building is thoroughly cleaned and disinfected before returning to reopening procedures 
3. The exposed staff member will quarantine at home for at least 10 days (CDC recommended) and will return to work after testing negative on a COVID test