COVID-19 Policy - Update 3.1 - 2 DEC 2020 - Final.pdf

DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY

SIERRA ARMY DEPOT

74 CURRANT STREET

HERLONG CA 96113-5000

TASI-CO SIAD COVID-19 Policy – Update 3.1 2 December 2020

MEMORANDUM FOR ALL DEPOT EMPLOYEES

SUBJECT: Sierra Army Depot (SIAD) Policy, Commander’s Directives to Combat COVID-19.

1. REFERENCES:

a. Memorandum, Office of the Headquarters, Department of the Army, Director of the Army Staff, Prudent Planning for COVID-19, dated 12 March 2020.

b. Memorandum, Office of the Secretary of the Army, Delegation of Authority to Travel for

Army Personnel, dated 23 April 2020.

c. HQDA EXORD 210-20 Coronavirus (COVID-19) Transition Framework DTG: 051826Z May 20 May 2020.

d. HQDA EXORD 144-20 Army Wide Preparedness and Response to Coronavirus (COVID-

19) Outbreak, DTG: 282223Z February 2020.

e. AMC Operation Order 20-154, U.S. Army Materiel Command (AMC) Preparedness and Response to Coronavirus (COVID-19) Outbreak, DTG: 041252Z March 2020.

f. TACOM Operations Order (OPORD) 20-008, TACOM Coronavirus (COVID-19) Transition Framework Plan, DTG: 011700R June 2020.

2. PURPOSE: To ensure adherence to all appropriate measures to protect the health of the workforce and to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus on Sierra Army Depot. This policy is in effect until further notice. Willful disregard of this policy may result in administrative action.

3. APPLICABILITY: This policy applies to all government civilian personnel in a duty status, on or off this installation; contract employees, and all organizations and persons present on Sierra Army Depot (SIAD). This policy applies to all service members assigned to, attached to, or performing duties in units or activities assigned, attached, based or otherwise located on SIAD.

4. POLICY:

a. You, as employees of Sierra Army Depot, are our most critical asset and valuable resource. I expect every employee to accept responsibility for their actions, and I expect every Leader to take personal responsibility for the health and safety of all employees entrusted to their care. In addition to the adherence of Department of Defense (DOD) and Department Army (DA) Policies, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), and the Health Protection Condition Level, the following policy and measures have been directed on Sierra Army Depot (SIAD).

TASI-CO

SUBJECT: Sierra Army Depot (SIAD) Policy, Commander’s COVID-19 Policy, Update 3.1

b. Personal Responsibility: As Army professionals who strive to live the Army values, every SIAD employee and teammate must take personal responsibility to do everything they can to NOT spread the COVID-19 virus. Any employee who tests positive for COVID-19 must stay home and not come to work, and must be cleared by the SIAD Occupational Health Clinic (hereinafter “Clinic”) with negative test results before returning to work. Any employee who has virus and/or flu like symptoms must stay home and not come to work, and must be appropriately screened before returning to work. Any employee who is pending a test or test results, for any reason, must stay home and not come to work, and must be appropriately cleared by the clinic before returning to work. Any employee with a member of the household, and/or member of your commuter vanpool, carpool, etc, that tests positive for COVID-19 must stay home and not come to work and must be appropriately screened before returning to work. If a member of your household is pending a test for COVID-19 you must stay home and not come to work, and must be appropriately screened before returning to work. Notify your supervisor as soon as possible of your personal situation, and request leave as appropriate. If you do not have enough personal leave to cover your absence, there are other leave options to help cover your absence.

c. Return to Work: Any employee who tests positive for COVID-19 must be cleared by the SIAD Occupational Health Clinic (hereinafter “Clinic”) by providing two negative tests prior to returning to work on the installation. Employees that have a difficult time getting two negative tests (for whatever reason) should work with the Clinic on finding an alternative way to be cleared prior to returning to work. Additionally, for any employee who is pending a test, for any reason, but tests negative, the employee is also required to be cleared by the Clinic with the negative test results prior to returning to work. Employees should actively work with the Clinic to get clearance to return to work and should be in contact with the Clinic no later than the date they are released by their county health officials / physician (sooner if possible).

d. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): SIAD is supportive of the CDC's recommendation and requires all employees to use a face mask, or a cloth face covering, over their nose and mouth while on the Depot. The wear of the mask is also required for those participating in the DA Mass Transit Benefit Program. If close contact is imminent, i.e. within 6 feet, a mask must be worn. The only exceptions to the wear of a face mask or cloth face covering are 1) when eating in a designated area, 2) smoking in a designated smoking area, and 3) when in your personal workspace absent of other people, i.e. personal office space or workcenter, in which you can adequately meet social distance requirements. PPE, to include two sets of face masks, a neck gator, and hand sanitizer, are issued to all employees. Household items can be used to make a cloth face covering. The link to the website that explains ways to make the coverings:

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/diy-cloth-face-coverings.html.

e. “No Touch” Policy at the Installation Access Control Points: SIAD will maintain a “no touch” policy at the installation access control points as a precautionary measure. All personnel gaining access to the Installation must still show proper identification to gain entry.

(1) All Law Enforcement Officers and Security Guards, to include all employees at Pass and Identification, will wear proper PPE while operating access control points.

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/diy-cloth-face-coverings.html

(2) All Emergency Management, Fire Department, and First Responders will utilize proper PPE in response situations using necessary precautions prescribed by the CDC.

f. Social Distancing: All personnel will maintain a social distancing minimum of six (6) feet when at all possible. All group gatherings and/or meetings are reduced to no more 25 people. All large group meetings greater than 25 will be conducted via Video and/or Audio Teleconference.

The number of new employees attending the New Employee Orientation (NEO) at any given time will be reduced to ensure proper social distancing.

g. Sanitation and Cleanliness: SIAD has increased the frequency of cleaning services, to include frequent touched areas, through the existing cleaning contract. Utilize the community hand sanitizer stations that have been installed in the work centers throughout the depot. All employees are encouraged to continue following all sanitation guidance prescribed by the CDC by frequently washing hands with warm water and soap, using hand sanitizer, covering mouth when coughing, not touching the face, and frequently sanitizing personal work spaces.

h. Garrison Services: SIAD will regulate non-essential and/or high risk Garrison Services, to include Morale Welfare, and Recreation (MWR) services, to protect the workforce and prevent the spread of the virus. All Garrison and MWR services will regulate operations based on the conditions and with all appropriate health and safety measures in place.

i. Leave Entitlements, Reasonable Accommodation, and Telework Options: SIAD has implemented additional leave flexibilities and accommodations to allow employees who become sick with COVID-19, or COVID-19 like symptoms, or are exposed to somebody who has tested positive for COVID-19. Reference Annex D of the Reintegration Plan, Leave Entitlement Matrix.

(1) Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFRCA) can be granted for qualifying employees up to 80 hours of Emergency Paid Sick Leave Act (EPSLA) as an option for those with extenuating circumstances and qualifying conditions due to COVID-19.

(2) Weather and Safety (W&S) leave may be used, at the discretion of the Commander, after a positive case where the employee has exhausted 80 hours of EPSLA, but has not yet been cleared to return to base. If an employee can telework, and it is possible to get equipment safely to the employee, telework is preferable in this case. However supervisors/ managers should ensure job duties can be performed via telework and the employee is physically able (not ill or suffering COVID symptoms that would preclude telework). If an employee is “sick” and unable to perform duties via telework and has exhausted EPSLA leave, the employee should use their own sick leave. Employees that have exhausted 80 hours of EPSLA may choose to use their own leave, but telework is preferred for telework eligible employees. W&S leave is a consideration for employees who have exhausted 80 hours of EPSLA, but authorization for W&S leave is still required in these circumstances. This policy change may be retroactively applied.

(3) Employees with an appropriately documented qualifying disability may request reasonable accommodations. A request for reasonable accommodation should be a request initially made to the supervisor, and is an interactive process that will continue until a reasonable accommodation is reached. Telework options for telework eligible personnel may be used as a reasonable accommodation on a case by case basis.

j. Response Plan: SIAD has developed the SIAD COVID-19 Preparedness and Response

Plan, and has established volunteer "response" team(s), led by the SIAD Fire Department. This is a codified plan of action to respond to any presumed positive case of COVID-19 on the depot (if needed), which includes isolating the individual(s), ensuring the individual(s) receives medical care, clearing the facility, and cleaning the facility prior to re-occupation.

k. Monitor and Contact Trace Protocols: As part of the response plan, contact trace protocols may be activated by the Safety Office if a positive case of COVID-19 or possible exposure on the installation is identified. Proper screening must be conducted prior to the return of employees that have tested positive or potentially been exposed to COVID-19, and isolated or quarantined due to COVID-19. Employees that have had an extended absence from work must also be screened. Applicants for employment must be screened for symptoms of COVID-19. The Depot may delay the start of workers exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms or may withdraw the job offer altogether if not able to reasonably accommodate the need for a later start date.

l. Travel Restrictions: Travel restrictions in accordance with DOD and DA Guidance, reference (4b), will remain in place and will be lifted in accordance with the same guidance. In the interim, continue to maximize virtual means and/or other means for all training requirements and meeting requirements as required. For personal travel, it is imperative our employees make individual risk assessments based on mode of travel and means of travel, and adhere to this local policy in the event of possible exposure to COVID-19.

m. Communication and Reporting: Accurate and timely reporting telephonically and via e-mail is critical to protecting the workforce and preventing the spread of the virus. If there is a positive case of any employee, pending COVID-19 test for any reason of any employee, or possible exposure of any employee, accurate and timely reporting is imperative. Timely notification and reporting telephonically and via e-mail through the supervisory chain and to Resource Management with appropriate details (who, what, where, when, and why) using the COVID-19 mailbox. SIAD has also implemented a communication plan to ensure timely and relevant communication, including Tiered Huddles, Command messages, the Official Bulletin Board, Depot blasts, SIAD SharePoint Site, SIAD Facebook Page, and Alert Notification System.

5. PROPONENT. The Chief of Staff, 530-827-4666, is the designated point of contact.

RUSSELL E. HENRY

LTC, LG

Commanding