06-24-2020 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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COVID-19 Preparedness Plan Page 21 Mask/Facial Covering Policy Guidelines The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends people should be wearing cloth face coverings as a voluntary public health measure in public settings where social distancing (a space of six feet apart) is difficult to maintain. Cloth face coverings are not surgical masks or N-95 respirators. Those are critical supplies that must continue to be reserved for those providing direct patient care, as recommended by current CDC guidance. The face coverings do not have to be hospital grade but need to cover the nose and mouth. For example, bandanas, scarves, or fabric masks. The policy requires that staff, elected or appointed officials, volunteers and contractors use a cloth or similar mask in shared areas within City facilities such as the lunch room, conference room, common areas or other areas where maintaining a consistent distance of at least 6 feet between people cannot be accomplished. This could also include time spent in vehicles, working in close proximity to the public or other employees. This policy is also extended outside of common and shared areas in the following cases: 1. It is deemed necessary during the COVID-19 health crisis 2. You are working in a city facility open to the public and are directly interacting with individual(s) without a barrier or in situations where social distancing of 6 feet cannot be accommodated or is frequently interrupted 3. You are returning to work after a potential exposure (the employee should wear the mask at all times while in the workplace for 14 days after last exposure).* *Employees who have been exposed to a positive COVID-19 case are required to stay home or work remotely. If the employee is deemed a critical or essential employee and is not displaying symptoms and cannot work remotely, they will be required to wear a mask per their department policy. When using a facial covering, you must be able to perform the essential functions of your job, including clear communication. To ensure clear communication, the face covering may be temporarily removed if you maintain six feet of separation from the person you are communicating with, a barrier exists between you and the person you are communicating with, or you are communicating via telephone. Employees who are unable to wear a mask due to breathing issues, or other health related issues should contact their supervisor to make arrangements. Continue to follow CDC and Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) recommendations to stay home if you are sick. Cloth face coverings are recommended for pre-symptomatic or asymptomatic individuals. Any facial covering must not be considered inappropriate for business appearance: Logo wear that is graphic, offensive, disrespectful, or distasteful in a business environment.