COVID-19 Guidance

For Childcare, Preschool and K-12 Schools

Provided by the Oregon Department of Education (ODE) and subject to change.

Covid-19 Guidance for K-12 Schools (ODE)
School testing resources (Oregon Health Authority)

When to Call Us

If your childcare, preschool or school is in Multnomah County, call the communicable disease team to:

Report an outbreak
Consult on a possible outbreak
Ask questions about Covid-19 scenarios in schools

Stay in Touch

For Businesses and Employers

These are general workplace guidance for businesses in Multnomah County, Oregon. Some sectors may have additional guidance that may be different.

Health care settings can set their own masking policies according to current regulations and recommendations. Contact the facility licensor, or see Oregon Mask and Safety Guidance.

Covid-19 Guidance for Long Term Care Facilities

If an employee tests positive or has COVID-19 symptoms

Most employees with Covid-19 or symptoms may return to work when:

It has been at least 24 hours since they have had a fever AND
Their symptoms are improving AND
They are able to wear a well-fitted mask around other people for 10 days starting when they first felt sick or tested positive

Quarantine and isolation guidance may be different for some settings, such as healthcare and long-term care facilities. If this applies to you, talk to your employer or see Oregon Covid-19 Investigative Guidelines.

If you receive a report of an employee who has tested positive for Covid-19 and have questions about next steps, you can call us at 503-988-3406 or email diseasereport@multco.us.

Testing

Multnomah County does not recommend employers require proof:

Of a positive test for a sick worker to stay at home
Of a negative test to return to work.

If an employer does require a test to return to work, they must pay for or provide the test.

If you're sick, you should still complete the return-to-work requirements above before you go back to work.

Employee Notification

Do I need to notify my employees if there is a positive case at the workplace?

As of April 3, 2023, employers are not required to notify employees if there has been a work related exposure. See Oregon OSHA rules.

Does an employee have to tell me if they have tested positive for Covid-19?

Employees are not required to report if they test positive for Covid-19. If an employee does choose to share information with you, you must make every effort to keep employee health information protected.

If an employee had close contact with someone with Covid-19, do they need to stay home from work?

No. Except for in certain high-risk settings like hospitals or long-term care facilities, they do not need to stay home. They should monitor themselves and stay home if they develop symptoms.

Do I need to notify public health?

Only facilities or businesses considered high-consequence settings (defined by OHA COVID-19 Interim Investigative Guidelines 7.2.1) in Multnomah County with 2 or more confirmed or presumptive cases of Covid-19 with established close contact should contact the Communicable Disease Services team at 503-988-3406.

Request Personal Protection Equipment

Organizations in Multnomah County can request PPE such as:

Disposable paper masks
Sanitizer wipes
Gloves

Make a PPE request

Mask Requirements

Businesses and organizations can require masks if they want to.

Oregon Health Authority no longer requires workers, patients and visitors in health care settings to wear masks in most situations. But health care entities can set their own masking policies to protect their high-risk patients.

Oregon Mask and Safety Guidance

Mask Signs