Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020 Coronavirus Disease PolicyDocument ID Revision Effective Date 11/16/2020 Signature Purpose Cm �r SEBASTIANN HOME OF PELICAN ISLAND Title Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Prepared By Cynthia Watson, HR Director Reviewed By Paul Carlisle, City Manager Approved By Paul Carlisle, City Manager Print Date 10/29/2020 Date Prepared 10/29/2020 Date Reviewed Date Approv d 1.1 The World Health Organization has recently designated the rise of coronavirus disease (COVID- 19) as a public health emergency. 1.2 This policy outlines the measures City of Sebastian is taking to provide information to, and to take steps to protect the health and safety of, its employees from any potential exposure or transmission of the virus. 2 What to do if you are feeling unwell 2.1 The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are fever, tiredness, and dry cough. Some patients may have aches and pains, nasal congestion, runny nose, sore throat or diarrhoea. Some may have lost their sense of taste. These symptoms are usually mild and begin gradually. 2.2 If you have any symptoms of COVID-19 seek medical care early to reduce the risk of developing more severe symptoms and be sure to share your recent travel history with your health care provider. 2.3 If you experience symptoms of COVID-19 and suspect that you may have been exposed to coronavirus, you are to inform your supervisor or Human Resources by phone at 772-388-8222. It is our policy to be tested for the COVID-19 virus. If you are diagnosed with COVID-19, you must inform your supervisor or Human Resources by phone at 772-388-8222. You will not be allowed to go to the workplace until you have been cleared as fit to do so. 2.4 Any employee that becomes aware that they have come in contact with any individual who has been diagnosed with COVID-19 must notify their Supervisor or Human Resources by phone at 772-388-8222 and will be instructed to work from home or to remain off work for a period of 14 days. The employee must quarantine for 10 to 14 days per their physician's recommendation. (a) Quarantine or Isolation — Quarantine keeps someone who might have been exposed to the virus away from others. Isolation keeps someone who is infected with the virus away from others, even in their home. LRor SEBASTLN HOME OF PELICAN ISLAND 2.5 Any employee who is absent from work due to illness, diagnosis, care or treatment of a health condition, engaged in preventative care for themselves or family members, or who is absent for purposes of quarantine directed by or consistent with this Policy or as recommended by civil authorities, may use available sick leave and other available paid time off under City of Sebastian policy or as provided by law as a substitute for any unpaid leave. Employees able to work from home should abide by the Working from Home section of this policy and other applicable remote work policies. 3 Returning to Work 3.1 The City of Sebastian follows the CDC Guidelines (See Exhibit A — Return to Work Criteria for Essential Personnel with Confirmed or Suspected COVID-19, April 16, 2020) for returning to work. The CDC guidelines indicate you can be with others after: (a) At least 10 days since symptoms first appeared; and (b) At least 24 hours with no fever without fever -reducing medication; and (c) Other symptoms of COVID-19 are improving" Loss of taste and smell may persist for weeks or months after recovery and need not delay the end of isolation. (d) If you had severe illness from COVID-19 (you were admitted to a hospital and needed oxygen), your healthcare provider may recommend that you stay in isolation for longer than 10 days after your symptoms first appeared (possibly up to 20 days) and you may need to finish your period of isolation at home. (e) In order to return to work, you need to provide a "Return to Work" note from your physician. 3.2 If you tested positive for COVID-19 but had no symptoms, you can be with others after: (a) 10 days have passed since the date you had your positive test. 3.3 If you had COVID-19 or tested positive for COVID-19 and have a weakened immune system due to a health condition or medication, you might need to: (a) Stay home and isolate longer than 10 days. Your healthcare provider can provide more information. (b) Your doctor may work with an infectious disease expert at your local health department to determine when you can be around others. (C) At least 24 hours with no fever without fever -reducing medication; and (d) Other symptoms of COVID-19 are improving" Loss of taste and smell may persist for weeks or months after recovery and need not delay the end of isolation. 3.4 Reinfected with COVID-19 CMOF S HOME OF PELICAN ISLAND (a) At this time, we have limited information about reinfections with the virus that causes COVId-19. This is a new virus, and CDC is actively working to learn more. Data to date shows that a person who has had and recovered from COVID-19 may have low levels of virus in their bodies for up to 3 months after diagnosis. This means that if the person who has recovered from COVID-19 is retested within 3 months of initial infection, they may continue to have a positive test result, even though they are not spreading COVID-19. (b) According to the CDC there are no confirmed reports to date of a person being reinfected with COVID-19 within 3 months of initial infection. However, additional research is ongoing. Therefore, if a person who has recovered from COVId-19 has new symptoms of COVID-19, the person may need an evaluation for reinfection, especially if the person has had close contact with someone infected with COVID-19. The person should isolate and contact a healthcare provider to be evaluated for other causes of their symptoms, and possibly retested. CDC recommends that all people, whether or not they have had COVID-19, take steps to prevent getting and spreading COVID-19. Wash hands regularly, stay at least 6 feet away from others whenever possible, and wear masks. 4 Travel 4.1 If you are planning any personal travel, please follow the advice for the relevant government agency of your home jurisdiction: (a) In the USA: httos:Htravel.state.qov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/ea/novel- coronavirus-hubei-Drovince—china.html 4.2 If you come into contact with anyone who has tested positive while traveling, you will have to isolate for up to 14 days. 4.3 You will follow Section 3 of this policy to return. 5 Hygiene practices 5.1 Hygiene practices are important in minimizing the spread of infection. Employees are reminded to: (a) Wash hands with soap and running water for at least 20 seconds when visibly dirty. (b) Wash hands (even if not visibly dirty) for at least 20 seconds regularly and particularly: (i) After coughing or sneezing. (ii) When caring for the sick. (III) Before, during and after food preparation. (iv) Before eating. anyli SEB HOME OF PELICAN ISLAND (v) After using the toilet. (vi) After handling animals or animal waste. (vii) After touching potentially contaminated surfaces. (c) If running water and soap is not available, use an alcohol -based hand -rub with at least 60% alcohol. (d) When coughing or sneezing, cover nose and mouth with flexed elbow or a tissue. (e) Throw any tissues in a closed bin immediately after use. 6 Working from home 6.1 The City of Sebastian encourages flexible work practices. During the COVID-19 outbreak, employees are encouraged to work from home in accordance with the Remote Work Policy. 6.2 We will discuss appropriate precautions if you have recently returned from a high risk area, if you report that you are feeling unwell, if the City of Sebastian receives information regarding a possible exposure in the workplace, or in the event of a broader community spread or situation in which the City of Sebastian chooses to close location(s) as a precaution. As a result, please bring home your laptop (as applicable) or other necessary work or materials in the event there is a sudden need to temporarily close the office and direct employees to work from home. Any work conducted from home is subject to the Remote Work Policy 7 Managing psychological health and wellbeing 7.1 It is normal to feel sad, stressed, confused, scared or angry during a crisis. Some tips to assist you manage your mental health and wellbeing are: (a) Talking to people you trust can help. Contact your friends and family. You can also contact the Employee Assistant Program at 855-327-4463 or www.guidanceresources.com. (b) If you must stay at home, maintain a healthy lifestyle including proper diet, sleep, exercise and social contacts with loved ones at home and by email and phone with other family and friends. (c) If you feel overwhelmed, contact EAP, or talk to a health worker or counsellor. Have a plan for where to go to and how to seek help for physical and mental health needs if required. (d) Limit worry and agitation by lessening the time you and your family spend reading, watching, or listening to media coverage that you perceive as upsetting. (a) Get the facts. Gather information that will help you accurately determine your risk so that you can take reasonable precautions. Find a credible source you can trust such as the World Health Organization, the Center for Disease Control, or a local or state public health agency. See further information sources below. 8 Stigmatization 8.1 The City of Sebastian is a diverse workplace with a diverse workforce. The City of Sebastian's policy in relation to discrimination is set out in Equal Employment Policy and Sexual and Other Harassment Policy. The City of Sebastian does not tolerate discrimination. Employees are reminded that stigmatization among speck populations, and the rise of harmful stereotypes could potentially contribute to more severe health problems, ongoing transmission, and difficulties controlling infectious diseases during an epidemic. 9 Communication with workers 9.1 The City of Sebastian is monitoring the COVID-19 situation. It will provide updates by email and postings on significant updates and any changes to this policy. 10 Further information 10.1 Further information on COVID-19 is available from the following sources: (a) World Health Organization: httos://www.who.int/emeraencies/diseases/novel- coronavirus-2019 (b) US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention: httos://www.cdc.aov/coronavirus/2019- ncov/specific-orouos/au idance-business- resoonse.html?CDC AA refVal=httos%3A%2F%2Fwww.cdc.aov%2Fcoronavirus%2F20 19-ncov%2Fauidance-business-resoonse.html (c) United Kingdom Government: httos://www.aov.uk/ouidance/wuhan-novel-coronavirus- information-for-the-public (d) Government of Canada: httos://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/2019- novel-coronavirus-infection. htm I (e) Australian Government Department of Health: httDs://www.health.aov.au/health- tODics/novel-coronavirus-201 9-ncov (f) City of Sebastian will add additional jurisdictions, as relevant. .m.-4 HOME OF PELICAN ISLAND FITNESS FOR DUTY Please ask your doctor to complete this form, and return it to your Supervisor or the Human Resources Department. Employee's Name Physician's Name Physician's Address & Phone # Patient may return to work, is physically able to work and does not currently pose a risk of person to person transfer of an infectious disease as of (date). Physician's Signature Date