Privacy Considerations for Employers and Health Care Providers When Communicating about Coronavirus-Infected Individuals

National Law Review March 12, 2020
Ryan Blaney, Kelly McMullon, Mathilde Pepin, Proskauer Rose LLP

This alert focuses on the ongoing and developing privacy issues that have arisen for employers and healthcare providers communicating about the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19). Specifically, we will discuss the steps that employers and healthcare companies need to consider when communicating to its employees, the media and general public, and government officials when an individual has been diagnosed with the coronavirus or may have been exposed to the coronavirus.

Employer Communications about an Employee

If someone in the workplace may be infected with coronavirus, can I disclose the name of the affected employee to office personnel?

As a general rule, an employer should not disclose the identity of an employee diagnosed with (or suspected of having) coronavirus. Under the Americans...

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