“Long COVID” can be a considered a disability

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the U.S. Department of Justice have issued a guidance document that explains how “long COVID” can be considered a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act and other federal laws.

“Long COVID” occurs when someone has symptoms that continue for weeks or months after catching the virus, according to the HHS, which notes that people experiencing the protracted illness are known as “long haulers.”

The HHS and DOJ guidance says “long COVID” can be considered a disability under the ADA as well as under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act.

The HHS notes each of these three laws protects people with disabilities discrimination, adding that the new guidance document explains how those laws may apply to people suffering long-term impacts from COVID-19.