Union Pacific Updates COVID-19 Quarantine Guidance

As COVID-19 cases surge throughout the country, largely spurred by holiday gatherings and travel, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued new quarantine guidance.

Union Pacific has updated its own guidance to align:

  • Asymptomatic employees testing positive for COVID-19 will now be required to isolate for five days (instead of the previous 10) and wear a facial covering for the following five days. Employees who test positive with symptoms should remain in quarantine until symptoms subside.
  • Asymptomatic vaccinated employees directly exposed to COVID-19 who have not received their COVID-19 booster; completed the Moderna or Pfizer two-dose series within the last six months; or completed the Johnson & Johnson single-dose shot within the last two months are required to quarantine for five days and wear a facial covering for the following five days.
  • Asymptomatic unvaccinated employees directly exposed to COVID-19 are required to quarantine for five days (instead of the previous 10) and wear a facial covering for the following five days.
  • Asymptomatic vaccinated employees directly exposed to COVID-19 who have received their COVID-19 booster; completed the Moderna or Pfizer two-dose series within the last six months; or completed the Johnson & Johnson single-dose shot within the last two months are not required to quarantine.

Additionally, all employees – regardless of vaccination status – are required to wear a facial covering in all indoor public spaces, including conference and training rooms, unless eating or drinking. Employees in office locations who are able to work from home will do so through Feb. 14.

With about 24% of UP’s workforce still unvaccinated – and the Omicron variant’s ability to penetrate vaccinations – these precautions will help prevent the spread of COVID-19.

As always, practicing good hygiene and social distancing, wearing facial coverings and getting vaccinated – including receiving a booster – remain the best protection against COVID-19 infection and its worst outcomes.

Employees directing questions to the Nurses Help Line (402-544-7011) should remain patient amid extremely high call volumes. All calls will be returned in the order received.