Q: An employee recently traveled, can I ask about exposure to COVID-19 or must I wait for symptoms?

Under normal circumstances, this line of questioning may be considered a disability-related inquiry, which requires you to show that the question is job-related and consistent with business necessity. However, according to EEOC, because COVID-19 has been declared a pandemic, such question would not constitute a disability-related inquiry. During the pandemic, employers may ask this question to individuals who recently traveled (including business or personal travel). 
 

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