Important notice regarding COVID-19 protocol changes

 

Now that the CDC has changed its approach to COVID-19, CDC streamlines COVID-19 guidance,  FCPL is making changes as well. We are in the process of taking down the protective plexiglass at all of the branches. FCPL has decided now is a good time to discontinue staff notifications regarding employees infected with COVID-19 along with contact tracing. Effective today, we will treat COVID-19 like the cold, bronchitis, flu, and other contagious viruses. This will also eliminate the use of admin leave for sickness due to COVID-19. If you remember pre-COVID-19 we did not allocate admin leave to sicknesses such as cold, bronchitis, flu. Employees used their personal sick or annual leave time for these events.

I’m sure you are wondering what you should do if you get COVID-19 or experience COVID like symptoms. Here is the new protocol moving forward:

·         Stay home if you exhibit symptoms that are not typical to you

·         Contact your Supervisor if you are going to be out

·         What to do if you test positive for COVID-19 or have COVID like symptoms

o   If you have tested positive for COVID-19 it is your decision whether or not you share this with your Supervisor but it is not required. We are no longer contact tracing. It is not necessary to contact HR to discuss the date you can return to work but feel free to contact HR if you need additional support. You will determine the return date based on your symptoms and how you feel and advice given by your physician if applicable.  Staff should not return to work until they are no longer experiencing any symptoms. CDC isolation guidelines.

·         We will continue to promote social distancing and washing hands often

·         We will no longer post blogs regarding COVID-19 infections by location or contact staff who may have been exposed

o   The infected staff member is free to contact staff they may have potentially exposed - it’s up to the individual

FCPL will continue to let staff decide whether or not to wear masks and we will continue to supply masks for staff and patrons who choose to wear them.

This information will also be posted on the Google shared drive/COVID/New Covid-19 Protocol as of 8/29/22.  If you have any questions please contact Nikki Watkins or Elise Herbst.