COVID-19 Exposure: How Should We Handle Employee Absence and Pay?

One of our employees' husbands tested positive for COVID-19 and is in the hospital receiving treatment. Our employee is at home and has no symptoms at all. However, as a precaution, she stopped coming to the office in the interest of the organization and her colleagues.

Handling Employee Absence Due to COVID-19 Exposure

Now, how should we handle her absence? Should we consider her absence as leave or should we treat it as Loss of Pay (LOP)? Are there any official guidelines to follow in such a situation? Please clarify.

Since the husband is admitted to a COVID hospital, she will need to visit the hospital frequently. Therefore, take a liberal view and allow her the leave she seeks without getting into hyper-technicalities. Indeed, she is staying away from the office as a precaution for all your employees. These are extraordinary times, so render all permissible benefits.