COVID-19: ONE YEAR LATER A TRACE OF PROTECTION Organizations are recognizing and responding to the critical importance of contact tracing in the age of COVID-19. By Miguel Martinez The concept of contact tracing-identifying those who may have come into contact with an infected person- has been around for some time now. Contact tracing is an essential tool for epidemiologists, public health experts, and medical professionals to manage and mitigate outbreaks of infectious diseases like Ebola and swine flu. Contact tracing has been pivotal to combating the spread of coronavirus. In places like New Zealand, robust contact tracing programs have been implemented to great effect. In countries without a centralized federal contact tracing program-like the United States-initial contact tracing efforts have primarily been put in place by healthcare institutions, governmental entities, and nonprofit/voluntary services. Increasingly, there's a new addition to that list. Private companies have recognized the value of implementing their own contact tracing programs. [20] HRO TODAY MAGAZINE | MARCH 2021 Understanding how to build and maintain an effective in-house contact tracing program, including how to overcome common challenges and concerns, has quickly become an essential tool for any company looking to protect itself and its employees. An Essential Tool While contact tracing is primarily aimed at improving public health and safety and contributing to a deeper medical and scientific understanding of the spread of the coronavirus, private companies have other reasons to implement a program. Executive decisionmakers are recognizing that contact tracing is a vital part of fulfilling their obligation to basic duty of care and compliance standards. Companies can also shield themselves from liability exposure by making sure they are taking reasonable measures to protect employee health and provide a safe working environment.