As businesses re-open and gradually expand to pre-coronavirus capacity, some places have begun to see an increase in cases and exposure.
But what responsibility do businesses have to share COVID-19 information?
25 News investigated and found they have no legal responsibility at all.
The pandemic took an especially large toll on restaurants, places where personal contact makes up a big part of business. Now comes another problem as many of them struggle to regain their footing- what responsibility do they have for telling the community when an employee catches the coronavirus?
That question weighs heavily on Waco School Board member Norman Manning, who thinks before he chooses where to eat.
"Well, I'm very careful about where I go. I don't really go to many restaurants," he said.
No law forces businesses like restaurants to report when an employee catches the coronavirus.
Restaurant owner Carla Dotson says it puts them in a tough position.
"You run a risk, because you've got some people out there that are social media gurus and they can take this stuff and go either way," explained the owner of Boardwalk on Elm.
Dr. Brenda Gray of the Waco-McLennan County Public Health District says while she notifies businesses of COVID exposure, the law, in most cases, doesn't require her to make that public.
"We always allow the business, to the best of our ability, to be the first one to have that contact with the press," she said.
The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA), on the books since 1996, is why.
"Any personal and protected health information we can't release that," Dr. Gray explained.
Even the Texas Restaurant Association doesn't give specific guidelines on releasing information to the public. So, at Carla Dotson's restaurant, she follows her mama's advice.
"The main object is taking care of my family or taking care of the customers," said Lena Bolridge.
A formula that works, says Public Relations executive Liz Anderson, who believes honesty is the best policy.
"This is all so new to us. The public is going to appreciate you more for being honest, and I think in the long run it's going to help a business," said Anderson.
How will it help? It tells customers what they need to know to make an informed choice.
"I want to know if someone came up with COVID-19 in your restaurant, and I want to know you did something about it," said Manning.
Whether restaurants notify or not, most say Texas sanitation guidelines help ensure that, in most cases, food from our favorite restaurant remains healthy, hot, and good to eat.
