The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) had previously redefined “close contact” as any situation in which someone shares the same indoor air space for a total of 15 minutes or more in a 24-hour period with a person who has or had COVID-19. This definition had caused problems for employers in particular, as they had to comply with the requirements of notification and monitoring of security protocols. These notification requirements have recently been extended through 2024.
In order for businesses to better respond to potential exposure risks, CDPH revised its definition of close contact to establish clearer parameters. According to the review, “close contact” is defined as the following:
In indoor spaces of 400,000 cubic feet or less per floor (such as a home, clinic waiting rooms, an airplane, etc.), close contact is defined as sharing the same indoor air space for a cumulative total of 15 minutes or more in a 24-hour period (for example, three separate 5-minute exposures for a total of 15 minutes) during the infectious period of an infected person (confirmed by COVID-19 testing or clinical diagnosis).
In large indoor spaces over 400,000 cubic feet per floor (such as open-plan offices, warehouses, large retail stores, food manufacturing or processing facilities), close contact is defined as being within 6 feet of the infected person for a cumulative total of 15 minutes or more in a 24-hour period during the infectious period of the infected person.
CDPH has also posted a question and answer document for Beyond the Blueprint that explains the difference between direct and indirect exposure, and how healthcare facilities should respond to potential exposure using the updated definition. Employers should review the revised definition as it applies to notification requirements for employees who may have been exposed.