Effective December 29, 2021, the following protocols shall govern COVID-19 related issues for City employees. To the extent the protocols set forth herein differ from previous ones, these protocols shall govern. All employees, without exception, must comply with these protocols. The failure to do so may result in disciplinary action up to, and including, termination.
The City will continue to monitor best practices for COVID Protocol from the State of New Jersey Department of Health and Center for Disease Control and Prevention and will continue to provide safety and COVID spread prevention protocol updates on a regular basis.
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I. COVID-19 VACCINATIONS
A. The City encourages all employees to get vaccinated against COVID-19.
B. All City employees are eligible to schedule appointments for COVID-19 vaccinations directly with the City’s vendor, Bespoke Health LLC, by calling 201-373-2316
C. All employees who make appointments to get vaccinated through the City’s program or with their own health care provider will be permitted to attend those appointments without use of accrued time (up to 1 full day).
D. For additional information on COVID-19 vaccinations, employees should visit the City’s website (jcnj.org/vaccines).
E. Please do not call or contact the Department of Health & Human Services (“HHS”) or the Department of Human Resources (“HR”) for vaccination appointments or information as callers will be directed to contact the City’s vendor or to the City’s website.
II. COVID-19 TESTING
A. Fully vaccinated employees who have been exposed to COVID-19 or identified as a “close contact” of an infected person and are asymptotic do not need to get tested, but must self- monitor for symptoms for 14 days following an exposure.
B. Employees who are exposed to COVID-19 or identified as a “close contact” of an infected person, but are not fully vaccinated, must follow the directives of HHS regarding testing and quarantining as set forth below.
C. City employees who are symptomatic, whether fully vaccinated or unvaccinated, must be tested for COVID-19 as set forth below.
D. Employees seeking to be tested for COVID-19 should visit the City’s website for information on free testing locations and other testing options in the Jersey City area (jcnj.org/covidtesting).
III. WORKPLACE SAFETY PROTOCOLS
A. Social Distancing and Face Masks
(1) Except as indicated below, City employees who are fully vaccinated are no longer required to wear a face mask when at their worksite but may continue to do so at their option.
(2) Employees who are not fully vaccinated or that work in the following settings are still required to wear a face mask while at their worksites: (a) employees that are assigned to healthcare or other clinical settings; (b) employees working with the homeless population; (c) employees working with minors or other youth populations; and (d) employees working with senior citizen populations.
(3) The City will operate on the “honor system” regarding an employee’s vaccination status.
(4) Any employee that fails to comply with this section will be subject to disciplinary action,
up to termination.
(5) All other previously imposed social distancing and face mask requirements (e.g., social distancing, single occupancy restrooms, appointment only protocols) are rescinded.
B. Daily Health Screenings
(1) Prior to entering any City worksite, every employee must respond to a health questionnaire each day as follows: (a) in the last 24 hours, have you experienced one (1) or more of these symptoms: fever (temperature of 100.4 F or greater), non-chronic cough, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of taste or smell?; (b) in the last 24 hours, have you experienced two (2) or more of these symptoms: chills, rigors(shaking), muscle aches, headache, sore throat, nausea, fatigue, congestion or runny nose?; and (c) have you or someone in your household been diagnosed with COVID-19 or had “close contact” with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 within the last 14 days?
(2) If an employee’s responses to above questions (1) or (2) is “YES” or become “YES” during the workday, the employee: (a) will be sent home for a minimum of 3 days to isolate and (b) must monitor their temperature and symptoms daily, reporting their absences to their supervisor each day. On the fourth day, if symptoms or fever persist, the employee shall seek medical treatment. An employee who tests positive may be required to re-test for COVID at the discretion of Human Resources. Prior to returning to work, notice of an employee’s intent to return to work shall be forwarded to Human Resources via email ([email protected]) and via phone call to Deputy Director of Human Resources, James Carroll, Esq. (201) 547-5962 where further instructions concerning a re-test and/or other safety directives will be provided. If no symptoms persist and the employee’s temperature is not elevated on the fourth day, they may return to the worksite immediately. Fully vaccinated employee may return to work immediately as soon as they can pass the health questionnaire. If an employee’s answer to question (3) is yes, based upon their vaccination status, he/she/they will be guided as set forth below.
(3) Employees who cannot enter the worksite for the above reasons, must use their own accrued time for absences or any approved time as set forth herein in section VII C.
(4) The daily health care screening questionnaire will be updated according to the terms set forth in this policy. If any terms of the daily health care screening questionnaire and this policy conflict, the terms of this policy shall control.
C. Personal Protective Equipment, Employee Hygiene and Cleaning of Worksites
(1) PPE will continue to be available to all City employees for free (e.g., face masks, gloves, sanitizing wipes, hand sanitizer, etc.). Please contact your worksite’s Safety Captain with any specific requests.
(2) Unless exempt, all City employees are required to hand scan when they arrive and depart from their assigned worksites. Employees may reenroll in the City’s hand scanning system wearing a protective glove. Please contact your Department or Division’s timekeeper for more information on reenrolling with a protective glove.
(3) Hand sanitizer dispensers have been placed in easily accessible locations throughout common areas and employees are encouraged to utilize them after coming in contact with high-touch surfaces such as hand rails, door knobs, light switches and hand scanners.
(4) Employees should wash their hands regularly during the workday, especially following contact with high-touch surfaces.
(5) Employees are required to maintain a clean and sanitary personal workspace. The Department of Public Works and/or a City vendor will continue to frequently clean all “high touch” surfaces and common areas.
D. New Employees/Volunteers
(1) All new City employees and volunteers must provide either: (a) proof of being fully vaccinated or (b) a negative COVID-19 test received no more than 5 days prior to their start date.
(2) HR and/or HHS will arrange for any necessary COVID-19 testing for new employees and volunteers.
IV. WHAT TO DO IF YOU TEST POSITIVE FOR COVID-19 OR HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED AS A “CLOSE CONTACT” OF A PERSON THAT HAS TESTED POSITIVE FOR COVID-19
A. If an employee tests positive for COVID-19 or has been identified as a “close contact” of someone that has tested positive for COVID-19 by a local, state or federal official or agency, they must immediately: (1) notify their supervisor of the situation and (2) provide a copy of the relevant test result (if attainable for “close contact” employees) to HR via e-mail ([email protected]) and HHS (c/o Lee Chang, [email protected]). Any employee who fails to make the appropriate notification will be subject to discipline, up to and including termination.
B. Neither the effected employees nor their supervisors should inform any other City employees of the identity of the person that received a positive COVID-19 test result or of the identity of any people that were in “close contact” with the infected individual.
C. After receiving a positive COVID-19 test result or information related to a “close contact” the effected employee will reach out to HHS directly, or through their supervisors, to receive mandatory quarantine directives and/or other instructions.
D. Unless symptomatic, fully vaccinated employees will not be required to quarantine if they are identified as a “close contact” of an individual that has tested positive for COVID-19.
E. An employee who tests positive may be required to re-test for COVID at the discretion of Human Resources. Prior to returning to work, notice of an employee’s intent to return to work shall be forwarded to Human Resources via email ([email protected]) and via phone call to Deputy Director of Human Resources, James Carroll, Esq. (201) 547-5962 where further instructions concerning a re-test and/or other safety directives will be provided. If Human Resources directs a retest and the results provides another positive result, the employee may return to the worksite only if medically cleared to do so by a healthcare provider and then must present a medical clearance to HR ([email protected]) stating that they are not contagious and do not pose a danger to other employees.
F. After receiving a positive COVID-19 test result, HHS will begin the process of contact tracing, which is explained in detail in prior memoranda. Please allow HHS to effectively follow the CDC and State guidelines for contact tracing. DO NOT presume yourself or any staff in your building or office are close contacts.
V. CITY PROTOCOLS AFTER AN EMPLOYEE HAS TESTED POSITIVE FOR COVID-19
A. In the event that a City employee tests positive for COVID-19, the City will promptly notify employees at that worksite of their known exposure to COVID-19, consistent with the confidentiality requirements of federal, state or local law. These notifications will be made in two (2) parts: (1) first, notification will be made by HHS or a supervisor to any “close contacts” of the COVID-19 positive employee and (2) second, notification will be made to other employees at the worksite as appropriate.
B. As soon as practical after a City employee has tested positive for COVID-19, the City will arrange for cleaning and disinfecting of that worksite, or portion thereof, in accordance with CDC guidelines.
VI. EMPLOYEE TRAVEL
A. Under the Governor of New Jersey’s travel advisory, New Jersey residents shall adhere to the following CDC Guidelines:
1. There are no restrictions for New Jersey residents who travel to New York, Pennsylvania, Connecticut and Delaware.
2. All New Jersey residents who travel to states, other than those referenced in paragraph A. 1., for more than 24 hours are required to get tested for COVID 19 within 3 to 5 days of return to New Jersey.
3. New Jersey residents who are unvaccinated and travel out of state as set forth in paragraph 2 above, and test negative for COVID 19 shall quarantine for 7 days from the date of return to New Jersey.
4. New Jersey residents who are unvaccinated and travel out of state as set forth in paragraph 2 above, and test positive for COVID 19, or failed to take the required test, shall quarantine for 10 days from the date of return to New Jersey.
5. Fully Vaccinated travelers have no quarantine restrictions unless their COVID test results come back positive in which case the employee/resident will quarantine for 10 days after receiving a negative test result for COVID 19.
6. If a fully vaccinated traveler is symptomatic upon return to New Jersey, they should also see a doctor for a full medical assessment.
For further information regarding traveling restrictions see:
https://covid19.nj.gov/faqs/nj-information/travel-and-transportation/are-there-travel- restrictions-to-or-from-new-jersey.
B. In order to best protect all City employees and adhere to current CDC recommendations to the maximum extent allowable, the following protocols will apply to employees traveling internationally: Employees Travelling Internationally shall contact Lee W. Chang, Esq., COVID Crisis Manager, Department of Health & Human Services, (O) 551.256.2573 prior to leaving the Country for COVID travel instructions.
VII. USE OF ACCRUED TIME FOR COVID-19 RELATED ILLNESS AND QUARANTINE
A. The paid leave options available under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act expired on December 31, 2020. Therefore, if an employee is required to quarantine or leave the worksite because of a positive COVID-19 test, “close contact” with a COVID-19 positive individual, or because of any of the above protocols, that employee must use their accrued leave or other available entitlement for purposes of pay continuation.
B. Employees that are under a quarantine directive are not permitted to work from home.
C. Eligible employees may be approved for an unpaid leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act or the New Jersey Family Leave Act if they cannot attend work for reasons related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Pursuant to City policy, employees approved for such leaves must use their accrued time concurrent with the leave, but may reserve up to 10 sick days for use at a later time. Please contact Human Resources @ (201) 547-5133 if you need more information on leave options or COVID-19 related leaves or accommodations.
VIII. RAPID TESTING PROCEDURE FOR CITY EMPLOYEES
A. If deemed appropriate by Human Resources, rapid tests will be provided to City Employees who exhibit symptoms of COVID or unvaccinated employees who come into close contact with individuals who have tested positive for COVID only as approved by Human Resources after proper notification.
B. If an employee exhibits signs or symptoms of COVID while at work or becomes aware while at work that he/she/ or they has come into contact with an individual who tested positive for COVID, that employee will make immediate notification to Lee Chang, Esq. COVID Crisis Manager, Department of Health & Human Services (O) 551.256.2573 providing notice of the COVID concerns, details of the potential work related COVID exposure and providing information so an employee close contact list can be created for Human Resources.
C. Lee Chang, Esq. will coordinate with Human Resource Staff to determine whether a rapid test is required and to determine any other safety protocol.
D. If a Rapid Test is ordered, Lee Chang, Esq. will direct the employee on which site to attend. Approved COVID Rapid Test Machine Operators are directed to provide notification of positive test results to Human Resources and Lee Chang, Esq. as set forth herein.
E. Employees who exhibit symptoms of COVID while away from work and employees who become aware of their COVID exposure while away from the workplace should contact their health care provider regarding testing and make notification of any positive results as set forth herein.
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1 Some sections of this memorandum may not be applicable to employees assigned to the Department of Public Safety (both sworn and civilian). Employees of the Department of Public Safety shall be governed by the protocols of their respective divisions or as established by the Office of the Public Safety Director. If any protocols set forth herein differ those established by the Department of Public Safety, the protocols established by the Department of Public Safety shall govern for employees assigned to that Department.