City of Fall River sets sickness, mask guidelines for essential businesses, customers

Fall River is about to institute requirements for employers and employees of essential businesses.

According to a press release from Mayor Coogan and Director of Department of Health and Human Services Tess Curran, the following will take effect on Saturday, May 2, 2020.

1. At no time is it acceptable to have the presence of any employee or agent of the business who is sick, feels sick, or exhibits symptoms of being sick; and any such person is to be sent home.

2. All employees of essential services as defined by Governor Bakers COVID-19 Executive Orders, including but not limited to, grocery stores, pharmacies, drive through food and coffee establishments, home improvement stores and the like are strongly encouraged to wear a face covering such as a fabric mask, scarf, or bandana over their mouth and nose when interacting with the public and within six feet of a co-worker. Employees shall be allowed to bring their own face coverings with them to work and the employer must allow them to use them. The cloth face coverings recommended are not surgical masks or N-95 respirators, which should be left for medical professionals and first responders. Employees whose duties involve handling food or in-person public interaction should also use other recommended personal protective equipment such as gloves.

3. Essential Businesses shall implement a work policy mandating that employees self-certify to their supervisor at the start of each shift that: (1) the employee has no fever, (2) the employee has no measured temperature above 100 degrees, (3) the employee has no cough, sore throat or trouble breathing, (4) the employee does not have diarrhea, (5) the employee has not been ordered to self-isolate by a doctor, or local health official. (6) the employee has not been ordered to quarantine by a doctor, health care provider or local health official. (7) neither the employees or household members have tested positive for COVID 19 or clinically diagnosed as having COVID 19. (8) the employee has not had “close contact” or exposure to an individual diagnosed with COVID 19.