On March 27, the Fresno County California Department of Public Health issued an Order that requires employers, among other things, to conduct daily health screenings of employees. Specifically, employers are to screen for signs of "febrile respiratory illness," which is defined as "a new or worsening episode of either cough or shortness of breath, presenting with fever ... or chills in the previous 24 hours."

In addition, the Order requires employers to exclude from work all employees who have had febrile respiratory illness symptoms for seven days from the day that they are identified as having symptoms.

The Order is silent on whether it applies to employees working on-site or teleworking, raising numerous legal and practical questions. Violation of the Order is punishable by fine or imprisonment, among other sanctions.