Florida businesses, restaurants not required to report coronavirus cases among employees, officials say

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SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. - FOX 35 investigated whether businesses need to report employees who have COVID-19 to the health department.

Kiwi’s Pub and Grill in Altamonte Springs closed over the weekend. The owner told FOX 35 Orlando that he was worried after finding out some of his customers have COVID-19. Then, he found out one of his workers has the virus too.

Coronavirus forces restaurant to shut down

The restaurant was immediately shut down after the owner learned that several people who visited the restaurant tested positive for coronavirus.

Seminole County Health Department Epidemiologist Kevin Baker said that "we do recommend that any kind of business that identifies a staff member is positive reach out to the health department so that way we can talk to them about isolating themselves and don’t expose anybody else."

FOX 35 Orlando also spoke with the epidemiologist at the Seminole County Health Department to see if businesses are required to report their cases and shut down if their workers get coronavirus. He said that the cases should be reported, but it is not a requirement, and the business is not required to shut down.

“We are not regulatory over businesses. For the most part, that is the Department of Business and Professional Regulation,” Baker said. “So, they don’t have to call us and say I’m shutting down my business.”

Seminole County officials concerned about spike in coronavirus cases

Florida is seeing a spike in coronavirus cases as phase two continues.

A Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation spokesperson told FOX 35 Orlando the same thing. Businesses and restaurants are not required to shut down if workers test positive for coronavirus.

However, when a person tests positive for the virus, those results are sent to the health department so it can start its investigation.

Florida sees spike in coronavirus cases

FOX 35 speaks to Former Florida Senate President Mike Haridopolos about the recent spike in coronavirus cases.

“So, every day we contact people and identify where they work and ensure that anyone that would be exposed to that individual is contacted,” Baker said.

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