HHS, DOJ Issue Guidance on “Long COVID” and Disability Rights

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) this week jointly issued guidance on how “long COVID” can be a disability under specified provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Rehabilitation Act, and the Affordable Care Act (ACA).

HHS notes that people continue to experience symptoms that can last weeks or months after being infected by COVID-19, with their condition being referred to as “long COVID.” Under the guidance issued by the federal government, individuals who experience disabilities as a result of long COVID are protected under certain nondiscrimination laws.

Additional information from HHS is available here.