CS 315526-A 03/16/2020

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a respiratory illness that can spread from person to person. The 

outbreak first started in China, but cases have been identified in a growing number of other areas, including 

the United States. 

Patients with COVID-19 have had mild to severe respiratory illness.

To protect yourself from exposure 

• If possible, maintain a distance of 

at least 6 feet.

• Practice proper hand hygiene. 

Wash your hands with soap and water 

for at least 20 seconds. If soap and 

water are not readily available and 

illicit drugs are NOT suspected to be 

present, use an alcohol-based hand 

sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.

• Do not touch your face with 

unwashed hands.

• Have a trained Emergency Medical 

Service/Emergency Medical 

Technician (EMS/EMT) assess and 

transport anyone you think might 

have COVID-19 to a healthcare facility.

• Ensure only trained personnel 

wearing appropriate personal 

protective equipment (PPE) have 

contact with individuals who have or 

may have COVID-19.

• Learn your employer’s plan for 

exposure control and participate in allhands training on the use of PPE for 

respiratory protection, if available.

Recommended Personal Protective 

Equipment (PPE)

Law enforcement who must make 

contact with individuals confirmed or 

suspected to have COVID-19 should 

follow CDC’s Interim Guidance for EMS. 

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-

ncov/hcp/guidance-for-ems.html.

Different styles of PPE may be necessary 

to perform operational duties. These 

alternative styles (i.e., coveralls) must 

provide protection that is at least as 

great as that provided by the minimum 

amount of PPE recommended. 

The minimum PPE recommended is:

• A single pair of disposable 

examination gloves,

• Disposable isolation gown or singleuse/disposable coveralls*,

• Any NIOSH-approved particulate 

respirator (i.e., N-95 or higherlevel respirator); facemasks are an 

acceptable alternative until the supply 

chain is restored, and

• Eye protection (i.e., goggles or 

disposable face shield that fully covers 

the front and sides of the face).

*If unable to wear a disposable gown or 

coveralls because it limits access to 

duty belt and gear, ensure duty belt and 

gear are disinfected after contact 

with individual.

If close contact occurred during 

apprehension

• Clean and disinfect duty belt and 

gear prior to reuse using a household 

cleaning spray or wipe, according to 

the product label.

• Follow standard operating procedures 

for the containment and disposal of 

used PPE.

• Follow standard operating procedures 

for containing and laundering clothes. 

Avoid shaking the clothes.

For law enforcement personnel 

performing daily routine activities, the 

immediate health risk is considered 

low. Law enforcement leadership and 

personnel should follow CDC’s Interim 

General Business Guidance. Search 

“Interim Guidance for Businesses” on 

www.cdc.gov.

• Data suggests that symptoms may appear in as few as 2 days or as long as 14 days after exposure to the 

virus that causes COVID-19.

• Symptoms can include fever, cough, difficulty breathing, and shortness of breath.

• The virus causing COVID-19 is called SARS-CoV-2. It is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person via 

respiratory droplets among close contacts. Respiratory droplets are produced when an infected person 

coughs or sneezes and can land in the mouths or noses, or possibly be inhaled into the lungs, of people who 

are nearby. 

- Close contact increases your risk for COVID-19, including:

» Being within approximately 6 feet of an individual with COVID-19 for a prolonged period of time.

» Having direct contact with body fluids (such as blood, phlegm, and respiratory droplets) from an 

individual with COVID-19.

What law enforcement personnel need to

know about coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) 

cdc.gov/COVID-19