As employees return to work, it is important for employers and employees alike to know that HIPAA privacy rights may be triggered during the current coronavirus pandemic because employers may now need to provide relevant health information about their employees if: 

• required by law;

• to allow first-responders to render first aid;

• to notify first-responders of the risk of exposure to the virus; and

• in order to assist the United States in slowing the spread of the virus by providing notice of infected workers in their employ. 

Read about HIPAA privacy rights concerns and triggers, as well as certain exceptions due to COVID-19.