The Department of Buildings is working closely with the Chicago Department of Public Health and Chicago's construction industry to ensure construction companies are taking appropriate precautions to protect their workers. In general, if a construction worker or anyone else is experiencing symptoms, they must stay home for at least seven days. The Chicago Department of Public Health also advises everyone must stay home as much as possible, consider themselves possibly exposed, and self-monitor for symptoms per the following guidelines:

• if sick or positive -> must stay home for at least 7 days
• if close contact/exposed -> must stay home for 14 days and monitor symptoms
• everyone -> must stay home as much as possible, consider themselves possibly exposed and self-monitor for symptoms.

The virus that causes COVID-19 is thought to spread mainly between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet) through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes. It may be possible that a person can get COVID-19 by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or eyes, but this type of spread has not yet been documented. As always, practicing good hand hygiene and cleaning frequently touched surfaces often remains the best protection. 

Please also visit www.chicago.gov/coronavirus, which includes a wealth of resources, including a guidance for businesses and employers, as well as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).