9 Attachment 8 - ER AFSC general fieldwork SOPs FY23 1305M323QNRMA0016.pdf

General AFSC Safety Standard Operating Procedures for Fieldwork

The Alaska Fisheries Science Center (AFSC) conducts surveys and other fieldwork using contracted commercial fishing vessels, NOAA research vessels, chartered and NOAA aircraft and remote field camps. In cases where AFSC partners with another entity (e.g., NOAA OMAO, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service) that has a different safety protocol, typically the most stringent protocol for each procedure or element should be adopted, when feasible. These AFSC SOPs apply to chartered platforms, AFSC-owned assets, and most AFSC field operations. The AFSC also uses small boats and platforms that are either part of the NOAA Small Boat Program or are owned and operated by other entities. Those vessels covered by the NOAA Small Boat Program are not included as part of this document. Other vessels and platforms may be specifically addressed in the appendices to this general protocol. See Appendix I for further specifics pertaining to vessel-based operations.

The AFSC and its programs developed COVID-19 Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to follow in preparing for and executing surveys and other fieldwork in order to safeguard staff and minimize potential disruption to research operations by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, and the resulting COVID-19 illness.

The intent is to create a safe workplace for staff and to reduce health risks to families and to Alaskan communities as a result of AFSC activities. Project leads, staff including Chief Scientists (also referred to as Field Party Chiefs or FPCs), and affiliates should be thoroughly familiar with these general procedures and survey/fieldwork-specific procedures before conducting fieldwork. Common prevention measures and procedures specific to vessels are included as appendices to these overarching AFSC safety procedures for COVID-19. Planners for each survey are expected to conduct training on the operational aspects of their specific SOPs, for both general safety-at-sea issues and for COVID-19. The procedures in this document are specific to COVID-19. For general survey procedures, refer to the survey-specific scientific operations plan, and for safety at sea, refer to the survey-specific safety manual.

Note that although evidence indicates that the risk of surface (fomite) transmission of COVID-19 is extremely low, these SOPs still recommend cleaning of frequently-touched surfaces to help prevent spread of all forms of infectious disease. This will help improve staff health overall and reduce the prevalence of symptoms that could be confused with those caused by COVID-19.

Required Practices

AFSC requires that staff conducting surveys and other fieldwork adhere to common prevention controls to reduce the occurrence of COVID-19. These practices serve as a foundation for these SOPs and are included in Appendix II. Of primary importance are the OSHA guidelines for personal infection control (PIC) that highly reduce the chances of becoming infected with COVID-19. These PICs include physical distancing of at least 6 feet between individuals, wearing face coverings or masks (particularly those that are well-fitting and highly efficient at filtering airborne particles; for example, N95 masks or those with a similar level of filtration are strongly encouraged), maintaining maximum ventilation, avoiding touching your face, practicing good respiratory etiquette, and frequently washing or sanitizing your hands. PICs are required for all fieldwork planning, travel, preparation, mobilization and demobilization activities.

During these activities physical distancing should be practiced whenever possible and face coverings must be worn at all times, or in accordance with the current workplace requirements.

On many research platforms, distancing and wearing face masks will not always be practical (during operations, meals, sleep), so contact reduction periods, working quarantines, vaccines, and testing for

1305M32QNRMA0016 Attachment 8 ER AFSC Gnereal Fieldwok SPS https://www.omao.noaa.gov/learn/small-boat-program https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/covid-19/controlprevention.html

COVID-19 will be essential to reduce the chance that a staff member becomes infected and exposes other staff on field platforms or others in the local communities traveled through along the way. The required procedures depend on an individual’s travel status, as indicated in section III below and in Table 1. Overnight fieldwork may require a contact reduction period at or near the port of embarkation (i.e., a location close enough to the field platform that commercial air travel will not be required) prior to engaging in fieldwork. For day trip field operations conducted in locations within 2 hours of advanced medical services, a “Working Quarantine” will be required for the duration of the project, in lieu of the contact reduction period at the port of embarkation (see section III.E for details of risk reduction measures). Individuals performing dockside-only operations (such as fieldwork mobilization or demobilization) must also adhere to the procedures of the working quarantine for the duration of their involvement.

Note that the required practices specified here represent a mandatory minimum standard, and individual field parties may impose additional requirements at their discretion. In particular, individuals should consider their own risk factors that may increase their susceptibility to developing dangerous symptoms of COVID-19 if infected.

COVID-19 Viral Testing Standards

We require the use of viral tests to detect current infection with the virus SARS-CoV-2, which causes the disease COVID-19. For simplicity, we will refer to these as COVID-19 viral tests throughout this document. The most sensitive COVID-19 viral tests are molecular tests, also known as nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs). These include a few different specific methods, but the most common technique is reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, or RT-PCR (also referred to as simply PCR elsewhere in this document). Results of samples collected “at-home” or at designated testing areas can be obtained within a few days from arrival of the sample at the laboratory. We require these lab-analyzed PCR COVID-19 viral tests for screening purposes before travel or initiation of fieldwork. Other point-of-care COVID-19 viral tests, including rapid antigen tests, provide results much quicker and we recommend these tests be used for screening purposes when individuals are already in the field with limited access to laboratory PCR testing, or when there is inadequate time to wait for PCR results. Such tests may also be used for making an initial diagnosis for individuals with symptoms consistent with COVID-19 when PCR testing is unavailable, or for those who have had a recent confirmed infection.

COVID-19 viral testing for screening purposes should be performed during times indicated in Table 1 (and as described in section III.B). Further, it is recommended that all participants conduct PCR testing approximately 14 days prior to travel/operations, particularly for those who have reason to suspect that they may have a persistent positive PCR result due to their recent exposure, symptoms and suspected or confirmed infection history. This additional recommended test 2 weeks in advance of fieldwork will allow you to clear the recommended quarantine period if you are positive. A positive PCR test result 14 days before the pre-travel test provides justification for using an antigen test as your pre-travel/operations test, which should be conducted as close to the start of travel/operations as possible.

A negative PCR test result 14 days before the pre-travel test would indicate that you should use a PCR test as your pre-travel/operations test (to be taken within 72 hours of travel, or beginning operations if not traveling).

1305M32QNRMA0016 Attachment 8 ER AFSC Gnereal Fieldwok SPS

COVID-19 Vaccines

With the development of FDA-approved vaccines for COVID-19 that have high effectiveness and efficacy, it is mandatory for all AFSC FTE staff participating in fieldwork operations to be up to date on COVID-19 vaccinations as defined by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), including booster(s) when eligible. Specifically, individuals must obtain a complete primary course and booster dose(s) when eligible, of any FDA authorized or approved COVID-19 vaccine available prior to the initiation of travel or field operations (whichever comes first).

Dockside operations in support of fieldwork is considered to be distinct from fieldwork operations.

Those performing dockside-only work are recommended, but not required, to be up to date on their COVID-19 vaccinations; however, if they do not voluntarily provide their vaccine and booster status, they must perform a 72-hour contact reduction period at the port of embarkation and conduct an additional COVID-19 viral antigen test immediately prior to beginning any work on the field platform.

One additional viral test is required to be performed at the start of each workday conducted at a new field site.

Medical Review, Approval Process and Timeline

This plan and the specific preventive measures herein have been reviewed by qualified medical personnel and by the AFSC Safety Office. Updates to these COVID-19 SOPs will be reviewed and approved approximately every four months by the COVID-19 SOPs working group and qualified physicians or public health officers, or more frequently as new information becomes available.

Additional Resources and Contact Information

For queries regarding the interpretation of these SOPs, please direct questions to Lewis Barnett (lewis.barnett@noaa.gov) and Jerry Hoff (jerry.hoff@noaa.gov). For questions regarding the logistics of implementing these SOPs, please direct questions to the relevant logistics coordinator: Elaina Jorgensen for fish surveys (elaina.jorgensen@noaa.gov); and see the forms and resources here), or for marine mammal surveys contact Nancy Young (nancy.young@noaa.gov) or Jim Freed (james.freed@noaa.gov) and see the forms and resources here. For other matters, consider reaching out to Jeremy Rusin (jeremy.rusin@noaa.gov).

1305M32QNRMA0016 Attachment 8 ER AFSC Gnereal Fieldwok SPS https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/stay-up-to-date.html mailto:lewis.barnett@noaa.gov mailto:jerry.hoff@noaa.gov mailto:elaina.jorgensen@noaa.gov https://www.google.com/url?q=https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1Yj8a6TLop1_Oeb1gHi7IFVtEQFFA-u11?usp%3Dsharing&sa=D&source=hangouts&ust=1622748740363000&usg=AFQjCNGSJRLqvQc_H3WXervDv4mdNoetiQ mailto:nancy.young@noaa.gov mailto:james.freed@noaa.gov https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1KFi0KEUOVkxY_ibWvZXsTr1VKpOS42GB?usp=sharing mailto:jeremy.rusin@noaa.gov

Organizational Structure of the Standard Operating Procedures

I. Planning A. Coordination between NOAA and non-NOAA partners B. Training C. Staffing D. Route Planning and Ports E. COVID-19 Outbreak Scenarios and Potential Fieldwork Disruption F. Gear and equipment preparation and provisioning G. Mental health and wellness

II. Mobilization A. Home Port B. Port of Embarkation and Set-up

III. Travel and Pre-Embarkation Practices A. Travel Arrangements B. Before Beginning Travel (or before preparation to join a field “bubble” for those not traveling) C. Travel to and within the state where fieldwork is occurring D. Delayed or Interrupted Travel E. Preparation to Join a Field “Bubble”

1. Working Quarantine

2. Contact reduction

F. In Port Procedures G. Travel Home

IV. If someone in the field exhibits symptoms consistent with COVID-19

V. Post-outbreak Quarantine of Staff not Presenting Symptoms

VI. Procedure in Case of Household Emergency

VII. Survey Disruption and Continuation

Table 1. Required and recommended risk reduction and testing measures

Appendices provided as separate documents:

Appendix I: AFSC SOPs for Vessels

Appendix II: Common COVID-19 Prevention Procedures

STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES

I. Planning

A. Coordination between NOAA and non-NOAA partners

1. Non-NOAA personnel (e.g., volunteers, contractors, academic partners) and Federal employees from other FMCs are expected to follow AFSC-approved protocols while participating in AFSC-sponsored fieldwork unless the protocols of the non-NOAA institution are stricter than the approved protocols. While we do not require that all partners must be vaccinated to participate in AFSC-sponsored fieldwork, those who do not confirm that they are up to date on COVID-19 vaccinations as defined by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), will be required to take additional precautions to be eligible to participate. Specifically, for multiday trips they will be required to conduct 2 additional days of contact reduction at or near the port of embarkation with an additional viral test (for a total of 5 days of contact reduction in port, with viral tests on day 3 and 5). Be sure that these protocols are understood through formal communication, which may include incorporating these specific requirements in the language of the contract, or by referencing these AFSC SOPs in the contract, when relevant.

2. AFSC fieldwork-specific procedures and infection prevention and control policies are consistent with the latest COVID-19 guidance from the CDC and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) (e.g., Protecting Workers: Guidance on Mitigating and Preventing the Spread of COVID-19 in the Workplace, Interim Guidance for Ships on Managing Suspected or Confirmed Cases of Coronavirus Disease 2019).

3. Inside and onboard vessels, aircraft and field camps:

a) These procedures will be shared and discussed during the contracting process (for charters) and clarified during the pre-deployment meetings with the vessel and aircraft operators, OMAO (for NOAA aircraft and vessels), and the contracting officer.

b) To the extent possible, NOAA and any contracted / partner entities will identify and resolve any differences in safety procedures in advance of the field activity.

c) AFSC will identify a medical advisory service that can be consulted by each scientific party during suspected COVID-19 cases.

d) On OMAO platforms, AFSC leadership and survey participants will read and follow safety protocols, as well as assist OMAO with their implementation.

e) AFSC will work with OMAO, charter companies or other partner entities to ensure that signage describing basic personal hygiene and sanitation will be prominent in each research platform.

4. Procedural documentation

a) Program Leaders or fieldwork supervisors obtain verification of vaccination and booster status for NOAA FTEs, and individuals employed directly as contractors, using the database of direct reports attestations. For individuals not included in this database, such as volunteers and contracted vessel crew members, ask the individual or charter company if they wish to voluntarily declare that they or their employees are up to date on COVID- 19 vaccinations.

b) Program Leaders, in coordination with their Division Director and the AFSC Directorate, obtain current procedural documents on COVID-19 for NOAA and the vessel or aircraft being used, as well as current procedures and directives for all states, ports, and communities (including tribal council/leadership) that will be contacted during operations, including travel, mobilization, supply and crew change stops, and demobilization.

1305M32QNRMA0016 Attachment 8 ER AFSC Gnereal Fieldwok SPS https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/stay-up-to-date.html https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/stay-up-to-date.html https://www.osha.gov/coronavirus/safework https://www.osha.gov/coronavirus/safework https://www.cdc.gov/quarantine/maritime/recommendations-for-ships.html https://www.cdc.gov/quarantine/maritime/recommendations-for-ships.html https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1R-_yLaBfGrOS2teXBxGeRUqUIrD94vU0 https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1R-_yLaBfGrOS2teXBxGeRUqUIrD94vU0

c) Program Leaders, in coordination with their Division Director and the AFSC Directorate, obtain mission critical travel and Return-to-Work (RTOW) approval from AFSC and NMFS and NOAA leadership, within the required lead-time, only for travel by employees who have not confirmed that they are fully vaccinated. Additional guidance is provided on the AFSC Intranet. Required documents for a new approval package include:

i. RTOW Memo for AFSC directorate

ii. Essential Travel Justification

iii. COVID Exposure Assessment (EA) - note: you are encouraged to use EAs from previously approved activities to inform your Assessment.

iv. Letter of concurrence from contractor - if contractors/affiliates are participating.

v. If there are multiple legs or trips within a single activity the only required document (in addition to the original signed RTOW memo) for each trip is: Essential Travel Justification

B. Training

1. All training will follow the latest CDC guidelines and NOAA Fisheries / AFSC standards for PICs including physical distancing and adhere to current procedures established for group activities, including:

a) Medical training

b) Cold water safety training

c) On-deck and wheelhouse applications training

d) All modules associated with survey and fieldwork training as appropriate.

2. All survey and fieldwork participants must be familiar with the following COVID-19 resources:

the NOAA COVID-19 safety orientation (to be completed immediately for any new hires), COVID-19 SOPs (this document), handling and use of PPE, signs and symptoms of potential COVID-19 infection, isolation and field treatment of potentially infected persons. Familiarity with COVID protocols and other training resources should be in addition to, and an augmentation of, standard first aid/CPR training.

3. For training activities in which field-going participants must use shared equipment (tablets, computers, etc.), currently accepted procedures for surface disinfection should be followed before and after handling (e.g., AFSC cleaning and disinfecting guidelines).

4. Project leads should identify at least one to two alternate staff with appropriate cross-training so that survey and fieldwork staffing requirements will be met in the possibility that staff could become sick or test positive in advance of deploying to the field.

5. To determine which set of risk reduction and testing procedures apply to each individual (Table 1), supervisors of field projects will canvas their staff as to which travel group they belong to and identify the appropriate travel plans for each individual.

C. Staffing

1. Staff who have concerns about participation in fieldwork, including abiding by the safety procedures outlined in this document, should contact their supervisors as soon as possible.

2. If some field activities cannot be adequately staffed, Center and Division Leadership will evaluate planned activities to ensure that core and mission-critical functions are prioritized.

3. For each field activity, if possible, Division and current Chief Scientist will identify a primary, secondary, and tertiary staff to provide care and treatment of any COVID-19 patient stricken during fieldwork until the patient can receive professional medical care.

4. AFSC Leadership will consider the tradeoffs of maintaining shorter survey legs (number of days) to encourage survey recruitment, or implementing fewer but longer duration survey legs to reduce risks associated with more frequent exchange of participants and thereby reduce the total duration of risk mitigation procedures required of each individual.

1305M32QNRMA0016 Attachment 8 ER AFSC Gnereal Fieldwok SPS https://sites.google.com/noaa.gov/myafsc/forms/rtow?authuser=0 https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Nu40THmUF43uUqithYkXFXoe1g1huyFp/view https://drive.google.com/file/d/1hIkta_Qwh5sobseAV3aY93VotSLRlEh4/view https://drive.google.com/file/d/1t4x5tTatKuioZOkscE44YP4US-ES7nt7/view https://drive.google.com/file/d/1hIkta_Qwh5sobseAV3aY93VotSLRlEh4/view https://doc.csod.com/client/doc/default.aspx https://drive.google.com/file/d/1pDsB8YbvFmWi_hNYbfiGsiDiaZ7f3gVD/view

D. Route Planning and Ports

1. For each field project, the Port of Embarkation, contact reduction period location, Ports of

Call, ports that can be used in an emergency to load/offload fieldwork participants, Port of Disembarkation, and approximate schedule should be identified by the survey coordinators and included in survey operational plans. Ports of call will be limited and behavior of all fieldwork participants while in port is critical to ensure “the bubble” of those who have sheltered in place and been tested is not broken.

2. The contact reduction period location should be chosen to eliminate or minimize chances of COVID-19 transmission during any transit that may be required between this location and the work area; mimicking the port of embarkation for vessel-based surveys. Other factors to consider in determining the contact reduction period location: field team size, population size, access to medical facilities, infrastructure related to contact reduction requirements, and community acceptance.

3. OMAO or charter companies must contact port or airport authorities and vessel / aircraft services (e.g., OSI (Dutch Harbor) and ASD (Ketchikan)) to establish COVID-19 procedures and appointments for each vessel or aircraft.

4. Available ports, including unscheduled ports, will be evaluated by the survey coordinators for the port’s vessel access and capacity to treat or transport potential acute COVID-19 patients.

A rational plan for the survey route and options in the event of disruption will be developed.

E. COVID-19 Outbreak Scenarios and Potential Fieldwork Disruption

1. Project leaders and Division managers will work preemptively with survey and stock assessment scientists on possible mitigation strategies for survey operations in case they are curtailed due to a COVID-19 outbreak on any of the survey vessels or other field locations.

2. Mitigation strategies and contingency plans will be considered on a leg-by-leg basis in the event that it is not possible to complete the planned activities.

3. Each survey or other field project will have project-specific plan outlining the steps that will be taken if someone exhibits COVID-19 symptoms or tests positive for COVID-19 while in the field, including:

a) All efforts will be made to isolate the staff showing symptoms, thoroughly clean the vessel/aircraft/camp and test everyone onboard on the vessel with COVID-19 viral rapid antigen tests or PCR testing at the port of call as available.

b) If you obtain a positive COVID-19 viral test result, seek medical advice and isolate off of the field platform for at least 10 days, or until symptoms resolve and you obtain a negative test. If PCR testing is unavailable and rapid antigen testing is used instead, follow CDC guidance to determine how to proceed with confirmatory testing using PCR (Figure 1). If PCR is unavailable for the confirmatory test, consider re-testing with the rapid antigen method.

Figure 1. Antigen test algorithm for congregate living settings. This provides CDC guidance on actions to take based on the results of a rapid antigen test, including when to seek a confirmatory test, if feasible, with a nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT), e.g., RT-PCR. Note that one should quarantine after a close contact with a confirmed case or suspected exposure and isolate if they themselves are confirmed to be positive. See sections I.E.3 and V for specific steps to take in the circumstance of a suspected or confirmed case, including seeking the advice of a medical professional, and the conditions under which individuals can be cleared to return to duty.

c) The remainder of the scientific party and any crew who had close-contact exposure to a COVID-19 positive individual during field operations should seek and follow medical advice. Symptomatic individuals should be quarantined off the platform and obtain COVID-19 viral testing. Unless otherwise directed by medical professionals, individuals who do not have symptoms should follow the quarantine procedures outlined in section V (Post-outbreak Quarantine of Staff not Presenting Symptoms).

d) AFSC will consider the safety of continuing surveys and other fieldwork if a vessel must return to port or a field camp must close. Another vessel may also need to return to port or field camp may also need to be closed if it is not possible to safely operate in a remote area alone.

e) Before any final decision is made to discontinue a survey, AFSC will consider whether other vessels and crews are available to continue.

F. Gear and equipment preparation and provisioning

1. AFSC will purchase required PPE and supplies (gloves, masks, shields, etc.) in adequate amounts for daily and emergency uses.

2. Aspects of technical planning that require interactions with other groups and employees will be conducted virtually, if possible, or while wearing masks and following social distancing.

G. Mental health and wellness

1. Staff should discuss the effects of isolation and develop a plan to manage well-being and mental health during times where isolation is necessary, including regular communication among team members and between the team leader and each team member, guidance on how to maintain self-care, and resources for support (see, e.g., Ship Crew Well-Being During

COVID-19).

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/lab/resources/antigen-tests-guidelines.html https://www.cdc.gov/quarantine/cruise/crew-well-being.html?CDC_AA_refVal=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cdc.gov%2Fcoronavirus%2F2019-ncov%2Ftravelers%2Fcrew-well-being.html https://www.cdc.gov/quarantine/cruise/crew-well-being.html?CDC_AA_refVal=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cdc.gov%2Fcoronavirus%2F2019-ncov%2Ftravelers%2Fcrew-well-being.html

II. Mobilization A. Home Port

1. For all packing and loading: deploying personnel must coordinate with supply teams to minimize the number of people involved.

B. Port of Embarkation and Set-up

1. Personnel orientation will be performed at the beginning of the field project and will include a summary of applicable PICs, PPEs, and emergency infection procedures.

2. Setup operations must be conducted observing all relevant PICs and CDC guidelines for face coverings and physical distancing.

3. Port/airport and related services such as OSI (Dutch Harbor) and ASD (Ketchikan) must be contacted as vessels and aircraft establish firm dates for occupation and enact COVID-19 safe practices.

4. Any NOAA support staff participating in vessel setup should follow Working Quarantine protocols. When necessary for individuals participating in multiple fieldwork trips, this time can be considered part of a pre-travel contact reduction period, depending on the nature of the work and risk reduction measures taken by vessel crew and survey personnel. Otherwise these individuals will be treated with the same limitations as a vendor, as described below.

5. Interaction with vendors, dock, and facilities personnel; shopping excursions; and contact with the community will be avoided unless it is necessary. If these workers who are not part of the survey team are required to be onboard the research platform, then interactions with survey personnel will be limited and close contact (i.e., exposure of less than 6 ft for a cumulative total of 15 minutes or more) will be avoided. Physical distancing guidelines will be followed, PPE (e.g., face coverings) will be worn by both parties, and consider cleaning and/or disinfecting surfaces contacted by external personnel.

III. Travel and Pre-Embarkation Practices A. Travel Arrangements

1. Masks are required during travel.

2. Travel planners and travel leaders, or whomever is charged with leading and/or coordinating the field operation, must be familiar with the most recent State (AK, WA, OR, CA) inter- and intra-state travel restrictions (e.g., https://covid19.alaska.gov/travelers/).

3. Prior to trip planning, travel planners and coordinators should identify air carriers, hotels, and ground transportation that have standards that meet or exceed CDC guidelines for reducing the spread of COVID-19 (see Travel During the COVID-19 Pandemic). Communication between travel preparers and travelers on these lists of carriers, hotels and ground transportation providers is strongly encouraged.

4. A COVID-19 procedure briefing must be conducted with travel leaders to ensure that COVID- 19 survey procedures are considered when purchasing tickets and making other travel arrangements. When deciding on travel dates, carefully consider how far ahead to begin travel so that there is adequate buffer time between travel and the start of operations, particularly to account for both weather delays and for the 72 hours of contact reduction at/near the port of embarkation (required for overnight trips; see section E below and Table 1).

5. Consistent with travel regulations, to the extent possible direct flights from place of origin to ports will be purchased.

6. Hotel and overnight stays en route to the destination will be avoided, whenever possible, but lodging that provides appropriate services should be identified during travel planning.

Consider using hotels that have a separate ventilation system for each room.

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/travel-during-covid19.html?CDC_AA_refVal=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cdc.gov%2Fcoronavirus%2F2019-ncov%2Ftravelers%2Ftravel-in-the-us.html

B. Before Beginning Travel (or before preparation to join a field “bubble” for those not traveling)

1. AFSC recommends a 14-day contact reduction period (see section E below) for all fieldwork participants prior to initiation of travel or onset of fieldwork; however contact reduction measures are required for overnight trips (see Table 1 for details).

2. COVID-19 viral testing for screening purposes is required within 72 hours prior to travel (using a PCR test) and as specified in Table 1 (using either a PCR or antigen test). It is also recommended that all participants conduct an additional PCR test approximately 14 days prior to travel/operations, particularly for those who have reason to suspect that they may have a persistent positive PCR result due to their recent exposure, symptoms and suspected or confirmed infection history.

3. Any viral testing conducted as part of AFSC official business will be provided by AFSC, however the PCR test 14 days prior to travel/operations can be performed by any laboratory (e.g., University of Washington free testing). AFSC currently has two contracts for PCR testing: 1. Rubix (https://rubixnoaa.simplybook.me/v2/#book) in Seattle, Dutch Harbor, Juneau, Anchorage, Barrow, and Kodiak; and 2. Discovery Health (scheduling@discoveryhealthmd.com) in Seattle. Please schedule testing appointments at least 48 hours in advance and arrive on time to the appointment (we are charged a late fee).

The turnaround time needed to receive results using both of these contracts is ‘next day’, meaning by midnight the day after the test. Please plan accordingly. Testing costs will be paid in advance directly by AFSC when using these two contracts. For the most up-to-date information on COVID-19 viral testing options, see here. If your trip plan includes the use of rapid antigen COVID-19 viral testing while in the field, supervisors or Chief Scientists should contact Elaina.Jorgensen@noaa.gov three weeks prior to the start of the survey to obtain an adequate supply of antigen tests (please provide number of scientists and length of survey).

Rapid antigen tests can also be obtained over the counter and reimbursed on travel orders.

Please address questions about testing options and accessibility to your logistics coordinator:

Elaina Jorgensen (fish surveys), Nancy Young or Jim Freed (marine mammal surveys). If after speaking with these contacts you find that the contracts in place at the time testing is required do not meet your needs, please ask these same contacts for guidance on how to obtain your own test of the same standard and procedures for reimbursement.

a. Individuals must confirm with their logistics coordinator that they have received their

COVID-19 test results, via the ‘fieldwork tracking’ spreadsheet in this form.

b. If you obtain a positive COVID-19 test result, seek medical advice and isolate if directed.

Follow procedures in section I.E.3b.

4. During the 14 days prior to travel or onset of fieldwork, all staff are required to conduct

COVID-19 Self-Assessment on a daily basis using the Self-Check Questionnaire (Appendix II), regardless of whether they are adhering to other procedures of the contact reduction period.

a. Body temperatures in excess of 100.4° F and any other symptoms consistent with COVID-

19 must be immediately reported to the travel leader.

b. If symptoms consistent with COVID-19 occur during this period, this will not disqualify the person for participation in fieldwork. However, it does mean that continued monitoring, COVID-19 viral testing, and/or medical advice should be provided to determine whether the person exhibiting symptoms can be cleared to proceed with fieldwork.

5. To the extent possible, purchase all personal items that will be needed during the time in the field (toiletries, snacks, etc.) prior to travel.

https://rubixnoaa.simplybook.me/v2/#book mailto:scheduling@discoveryhealthmd.com https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ac5E_alZahXZj2pe7ek1HI0b9vt0qs4Fal67dv02lnc/edit?usp=sharing mailto:Elaina.Jorgensen@noaa.gov https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1wK8UHS96bArUgeIHRc6575oJW4ICa-UleEu7Pm0Ge9E/edit?usp=sharing

C. Travel to and within the state where fieldwork is occurring

1. Travel to / from airports: use personal infection controls (PICs) and choose transportation that offers the greatest distancing and COVID-19 cleaning practices (e.g., rent a car, obtain a ride to the airport from a household member in a private vehicle, or a single-passenger car service if necessary).

2. Follow PICs including wearing a face covering at all times.

3. Upon arrival, obtain further testing if required by the state or local authorities.

4. Flight to port of embarkation or field site: Wear face coverings at all times in airports and during flights.

D. Delayed or Interrupted Travel

1. Travelers should be on the alert for altered or delayed flights and make the best judgment to get to their destination while following PICs.

2. Re-book flights or re-check flight status to depart at the earliest possible time.

a) When waiting at airports for delayed or rescheduled flights, use PIC procedures, minimize travel within the airport, wear a face covering and practice physical distancing.

b) Once re-boarded on the airplane, continue to maintain PIC procedures.

E. Preparation to Join a Field “Bubble” Depending on the conditions of your field operations, one of the following two sets of risk reduction and viral testing procedures must be completed prior to entering your fieldwork platform. AFSC recommends a 14-day contact reduction period prior to travel in order to minimize the chance that staff become infected in advance of field work, reducing the likelihood that field operations will be disrupted and that other staff and local communities will be exposed. However, those participating in fieldwork on multiday trips (where staff or crew remain on the vessel, platform, or remote site overnight), are required to follow contact reduction procedures prior to fieldwork. For those who are traveling to the field site to conduct multiday fieldwork, this requirement also includes a short contact reduction period at or near the port of embarkation. Those participating in fieldwork consisting exclusively of day trips (e.g., aerial surveys, small boat operations) conducted near advanced medical facilities, are not required to follow contact reduction procedures prior to fieldwork, but must instead follow the procedures of the Working Quarantine as their risk reduction measure. The contact reduction period and Working Quarantine are defined below. Follow the procedures in Table 1 that correspond to your fieldwork type and travel status.

1. Working Quarantine

a) Working Quarantine procedures apply when conducting daily field operations from major towns where both of the following conditions are met: 1) staff return to a non-remote location for accommodations (home or other shore-based accommodations) each day, and 2) staff remain at all times within 2 hours of a hospital or health clinic that is equipped to provide emergency care for a COVID-19 patient.

b) Individuals conducting work meeting these conditions will be required to adhere to the following Working Quarantine procedures in lieu of the contact reduction period requirements detailed in the section below. The application of a Working Quarantine is adapted from the CDC definition as related to controlling the spread of coronaviruses, which specifies that during a Working Quarantine “Persons are permitted to work but must observe activity restrictions while off duty. Monitoring for fever and other symptoms before reporting for work is usually required. Use of appropriate PPE while at work is required.”

https://www.cdc.gov/sars/guidance/d-quarantine/app1.html

i. Working Quarantine duration and viral testing timeline

1) Individuals must obtain a negative COVID-19 viral test within the 72 hours prior to the start of operations. It is recommended to test as close to the start of operations as possible, accounting for the time required to obtain the results.

2) Remain in Working Quarantine for the duration of the trip, with rapid testing recommended every 3-7 days during operations if they occur in high-risk environments (i.e., high community spread or household exposure). Individuals traveling to the field site by commercial air are recommended to conduct a rapid test 3-5 days after arrival.

3) If individuals have been in close contact with another individual who is/was COVID-19 positive, unless otherwise directed by medical professionals, they should not return to work prior to either:

quarantining separately and obtaining a negative COVID-19 viral test 5 to 7 days after last known exposure, while remaining masked at all times during days 7 to 10 while at work; or, if they cannot quarantine separately from the positive close contact (e.g., if contact is a household member) they must quarantine for at least 10 days and obtain a negative COVID-19 viral test 3 to 5 days after the completion of the initial 10-day period.

ii. Individuals in Working Quarantine must adhere to the following procedures:

1) When not preparing for—or conducting necessary operations for— fieldwork, individuals must proceed directly to the vessel, aircraft, or other field platform.

2) May perform the work tasks needed to prepare for—or conduct— fieldwork, subject to local mandates and AFSC Return to Work protocols.

3) May be in an outdoor public place, but must wear a mask when unable to maintain at least six feet distance from others.

4) May leave the designated Working Quarantine location and enter another indoor location for medical care, or to obtain critical supplies if curbside service or delivery is not possible. When required to go indoors to get supplies, individuals must stay masked and at least 6 feet from others at all times, and remain indoors for no more than 15 minutes if possible.

5) Comply with all rules related to their Working Quarantine as set forth by their hotel or lodging.

6) Comply with state and local requirements, if more stringent than specified in the AFSC SOPs.

7) Monitor themselves for COVID-19 symptoms and conduct COVID-19 Self-Assessment on a daily basis. Monitoring results will be recorded with the Self-Check Questionnaire.

a. Body temperatures in excess of 100.4° F and any other symptoms consistent with COVID-19 must be immediately reported to the travel leader.

8) If you obtain a positive test result or are sick, seek medical advice and

DO NOT PROCEED TO THE PLATFORM OR FIELD SITE AND DO NOT

REPORT FOR DUTY. Contact your Chief Scientist and vessel captain and report your condition and seek medical advice (and follow procedures in Figure 1 if using rapid antigen testing).

2. Contact Reduction Individuals conducting multiday (overnight) trips and any other trips that do not meet the above criteria for the Working Quarantine must follow required contact reduction procedures. Contact reduction periods are typically conducted at home, with the exception of the contact reduction period at or near the Port of Embarkation that is required for individuals traveling to conduct fieldwork (see Table 1). Specific steps to take during this contact reduction period are detailed below:

a) Staff must monitor themselves for COVID-19 symptoms and conduct COVID-19 Self-

Assessment (including taking your temperature) on a daily basis. Monitoring results will be recorded with the Self-Check Questionnaire (Appendix II).

i. Body temperatures in excess of 100.4° F and any other symptoms consistent with COVID-19 must be immediately reported to the travel leader.

ii. The travel leader is a designated person who will monitor the cohort of travelers on the site. This person may be a field party chief, chief scientist, deck lead, or other senior field team member. They will be responsible for tracking the team during the contact reduction period. They may be assisted by a local logistics person.

iii. If symptoms consistent with COVID-19 occur during the contact reduction period, this will not automatically disqualify the person for participation in fieldwork. However, it does mean that continued monitoring, viral testing, and/or medical advice should be provided to determine whether the person exhibiting symptoms can be cleared to proceed with fieldwork.

b) Obtain a COVID-19 viral test at the times indicated in Table 1. Report results to the travel leader.

i. If you obtain a positive test result or are sick, seek medical advice and DO NOT

PROCEED TO THE SHIP OR FIELD SITE AND DO NOT REPORT FOR DUTY.

Contact your travel leader and vessel captain and report your condition.

ii. If you obtain a positive COVID-19 PCR test result, seek medical advice and isolate for 10 days (or as long as needed to get to medical care). If PCR testing is unavailable and rapid antigen testing is used instead, follow CDC guidance to determine how to proceed with confirmatory testing and/or isolation (Figure 1). If PCR is unavailable for the confirmatory test, consider re-testing with the rapid antigen method.

iii. When positive cases are confirmed, AFSC will seek to continue with the planned survey either using backup staff who have already completed the requirements or by not refilling the vacant position. For positive test cases, AFSC will seek medical advice regarding care and transport for positive individuals, exposure risk to other survey travelers, and follow-up procedures.

c) To the extent feasible, minimize exposure with others of unknown vaccination status.

Specifically, follow these practices to the extent feasible:

i. Limit time spent in indoor public spaces, particularly avoiding restaurants and bars (and other high-risk locations).

ii. Use curbside pickup or delivery services to obtain food and supplies when possible.

iii. When entering public indoor spaces is necessary, individuals must stay masked and attempt to stay at least 6 feet from others. Stay indoors for less than 15 minutes when feasible.

iv. When in outdoor public places, wear a mask when you cannot preserve at least six feet distance from others.

v. If necessary for fieldwork preparation or animal husbandry, individuals may be present in the office, worksite, or field platform for the time required.

Masks must be worn and social distancing adhered to during this time. Limit the time spent indoors with coworkers.

vi. Limited small indoor gatherings between the survey participant and close family or friends outside one’s household are allowed as long as all individuals are masked (with exception of children younger than 2 years old) and those who are eligible for vaccination have been fully vaccinated (i.e., 2 weeks after the final dose is administered; it is also recommended that they have a booster dose, if eligible). Also consider increasing ventilation during such visits.

d) For those traveling to the field site, proceed from the airport or other transportation to your designated contact reduction period lodging and contact your travel leader to let them know that you have arrived.

i. A local logistics person may be available. This is a staff member or a contractor from the local, rural community with local expertise in transportation, food availability, and testing sites. The logistics person must be familiar with the protocol.

e) If any of these procedures are violated, do not report to the vessel until cleared by your supervisor or lead worker.

f) Once the contact reduction period and testing is complete you may proceed directly to the field platform to begin operations, after verifying with personnel on the platform that you are cleared to enter. Once on the platform, stay on the platform--do not return to town or conduct any activity that would breach the bubble. Exceptions to this, and the conditions that must be met to allow one to leave the platform, must be cleared by your supervisor or lead worker prior to debarkation.

F. In Port Procedures

1. All supplies should be either delivered to the platform when possible; otherwise, the minimum number of personnel necessary can leave the platform to acquire supplies (by curbside pickup when available) while wearing PPE, observing PICs and safe transportation procedures (Appendix II Common Procedures).

2. Local personnel can be asked to purchase and deliver items needed to prevent vessel crew from having to leave the vessel (note that this may require setting up a contract vendor).

3. External Vendors:

a) See above Travel Section, regarding out-of-state travel requirements.

b) All outside personnel must wear face covering and other PPE.

c) Areas where outside personnel operated indoors should not be occupied by other staff for an absolute minimum of 15 minutes, but preferably 33 minutes to 5 hours (depending on air flow and filtration) or more if feasible. After this duration, consider cleaning and/or disinfecting surfaces contacted by outside personnel.

4. Crews will remain onboard until transportation arrives to deliver them to their next travel conveyance. All efforts will be made to minimize interactions between field personnel and those outside the bubble.

G. Travel Home

1. Follow PICs.

2. Travel to airport: Use PICs and choose transportation that offers the greatest physical distancing and practices good COVID-19 cleaning practices (see Appendix II).

3. Once home, AFSC recommends a 14-day contact reduction period for those who have traveled by commercial airline for fieldwork. Employ a safe home scenario described in Appendix II to protect household members upon arrival at home. Staff may request alternate lodgings if they are still concerned for the safety of other household members for any reason (e.g., if household members have higher risk and/or are unvaccinated). In these cases, NOAA will provide lodgings and per diem expenses.

a) The duration of the contact reduction period may be shortened with testing. If the traveler is symptom free, they may return to indoor AFSC facilities immediately if they remain masked and distanced at all times and obtain a negative viral test 5 to 7 days after return. At that time, they can discontinue their contact reduction period. If the test is positive, do not return to indoor AFSC facilities and seek medical advice.

4. See the most recent version of the AFSC Reintegration Plan for further guidance and to ensure compliance before returning to the workplace after travel.

IV. If someone in the field exhibits symptoms consistent with COVID-19 A. Discriminate Between Suspected COVID-19 and Other Illnesses

1. Identify any individual(s) crew member(s) with possible COVID-19 symptoms including fever, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, and diarrhea.

2. Follow guidelines in Discovery Health decision tree: COVID-19 Assessment of Symptomatic Crew Flowchart found in Appendix II.

3. Conduct diagnostic RAPID flu test and COVID-19 viral rapid antigen test, if available. The false-positive rate of COVID-19 viral antigen tests is low, so a positive result should be acted upon quickly by isolating the patient. If the test is negative yet symptoms persist consider serial re-testing and maintain isolation of the patient until testing and Medical Advisory Service indicates otherwise.

4. Seek emergency medical attention if the patient exhibits potentially life-threatening symptoms such as trouble breathing, vomiting, diarrhea, persistent pressure or pain in chest, confusion, inability to stay awake, or bluish lips or face.

5. Have the captain / field camp leader contact the NOAA or appropriate Medical Advisory Service for advice.

B. Isolate the patient(s) and provide care

1. To the extent possible, only one person should monitor and provide assistance to patient, or two people if necessary to monitor the patient overnight.

a) Identified care givers trained in COVID-19 procedures (see Section I Training) shall provide care.

b) Follow procedures for patient care developed by medical experts similar to: Discovery

Health’s COVID-19 Onboard Procedures.

1305M32QNRMA0016 Attachment 8 ER AFSC Gnereal Fieldwok SPS https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ErdaB2389vHIcyhfGsTQLFh2bpPTVsvM/view?usp=sharing https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ErdaB2389vHIcyhfGsTQLFh2bpPTVsvM/view?usp=sharing

c) Attending persons shall wear proper protective equipment (mask, goggles/face shield, gown, head cover, disposable gloves, etc.). Set up a station outside the patient’s room for removal and disposal of PPE, where after each round of care, PPE should be carefully removed and discarded as soon as possible and…