Interim guidance for businesses and employers to plan and respond to 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV), February 2020

This interim guidance is based on what is currently known about the 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV). The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will update this interim guidance as needed and as additional information becomes available.CDC is working across the Department of Health and Human Services and across the U.S. government in the public health response to 2019-nCoV. Much is unknown about how the 2019-nCoV spreads. Current knowledge is largely based on what is known about similar coronaviruses.Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that are common in humans and many different species of animals, including camels, cattle, cats, and bats. Rarely, animal coronaviruses can infect people and then spread between people, such as with MERS and SARS. 2019-nCoV is spreading person-to-person in China and some limited person-to-person transmission has been reported in countries outside China, including the United States. However, respiratory illnesses like seasonal influenza, are currently widespread in many US communities.The following interim guidance may help prevent workplace exposures to acute respiratory illnesses, including nCoV, in non-healthcare settings. The guidance also provides planning considerations if there are more widespread, community outbreaks of 2019-nCoV.To prevent stigma and discrimination in the workplace, use only the guidance described below to determine risk of nCoV infection. Do not make determinations of risk based on race or country of origin, and be sure to maintain confidentiality of people with confirmed coronavirus infection. There is much more to learn about the transmissibility, severity, and other features of 2019-nCoV and investigations are ongoing. Updates are available on CDC\u2019s web page at www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV.Recommended strategies for employers to use now -- Planning for a Possible 2019-nCoV Outbreak in the US -- Planning Considerations -- Important Considerations for Creating an Infectious Disease Outbreak Response Plan -- Recommendations for an Infectious Disease Outbreak Response Plan.2020738