SCC Return to Work Plan

Purpose

The purpose of the Return to Work Plan is to move from COVID-19 telework operations to COVID-19

new normal. This plan is to provide guidance for employees and students to return to campus. The plan

will evaluate and manage SCC current and continuing environment, long term for Fall 2020 and Spring

2021. We must listen to our students, employees, governmental leaders, health and safety

professionals, business and community leaders, nonprofit partners, and other external partners and

stakeholders as we implement our short-term return to campus and continue to plan and adjust for

longer term strategies.

Guiding Principles

1. Increase social distancing

2. Implement hygiene protocols

3. Monitor workforce and participant health

4. Protect vulnerable populations

5. Provide education to build awareness and combat misinformation

Guiding Principles Objectives

1. Increase social distancing Structural/physical space modification to enforce distance

Limit density

Minimize opportunity for sustained exposure

2. Implement hygiene protocols Disinfecting surfaces and common spaces

Systematic hygiene routines

3. Monitor workforce and participant health

Establish and enforce sick policy to support disease suppression

Implement systematic symptom screening

Recommend resiliency and support resources

4. Protect vulnerable populations Identify and protect high risk for severe disease

5. Provide education to build awareness and combat misinformation

Proactive information dissemination

Identify and address misinformation

Goal Objectives Possible Approaches

1. Increase social distancing

Structural/physical space modification to enforce distance

Clearly mark designated entry and exit points; if a building has only one sufficiently-sized entry/exit point, try to stagger entry and exit times if possible.

Configure classrooms to have students spaced at least 6’ apart.

Clearly mark 6 feet of spacing in lines and other areas where people congregate, and enforce those limitations.

Clearly mark 6 feet of spacing in a designated area outside the establishment where people congregate due to limits on indoor capacity.

Post signage that reminds people about required Social Distancing (at least 6 feet apart).

Prominently provide alcohol-based hand sanitizer (at least 60% alcohol) at entrances and exits and near high-touch areas.

Ensure ventilation systems operate properly and increase circulation of outdoor air as much as possibly by opening windows and doors, using fans, or other methods. Do not open windows and doors if they pose a safety or health risk to people using the facility.

Limit density Continue distance education where possible

Stagger in-person classes where distance education is not possible

Continue remote working as much as possible

Stagger shift where remote working is not possible

Minimize opportunity for sustained exposure

Develop and use systems that allow for online, email, or telephone transactions

Implement hygiene protocols

Disinfecting surfaces and common spaces

Perform assessment of facilities to identify high-touch areas

Perform frequent and routine environmental cleaning and disinfection of high-touch areas with an EPA approved disinfectant for SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19)

Make disinfecting wipes and/or sprays that are EPA approved against SARS-CoV-2 available for shared items while using manufacturers instructions for proper use and contact time

Systematic hygiene routines

• Have employees and students wash hands or use hand sanitizer immediately upon entering a building and frequently throughout the day

• Systematically and frequently check and refill hand sanitizers and assure soap and hand drying materials are available at sinks

Goal Objectives Possible Approaches

Monitor workforce and participant health

Establish and enforce sick policy to support disease suppression

• Enforce employees and students to stay home if sick • Liberal use of sick leave policy • Expand paid leave policies to allow employees to stay home • Have a plan in place for immediately removing employee or student

from class/work if symptoms develop. Designate cleanable area with separate trash cans, tissues, and cleaning supplies for use by employees or students who develop symptoms during the workday if waiting to be picked. Require symptomatic persons to wear masks until leaving the facility. Cleaning and disinfecting procedure should be implemented by designated personnel using appropriate PPE once sick person leaves.

• If an employee or student has been diagnosed with COVID-19 the they should be excluded from work until cleared per CDC recommendations: • No fever for at least 72 hours since recovery (without the use of

fever-reducing medicine AND • Other symptoms have improved (e.g., coughing, shortness of

breath) AND • At least 10 days have passed since first symptoms

Implement systematic symptom screening

• Daily symptom screening (standard interview questionnaire) of employees and students at entrance to workplace with immediately sending symptomatic persons home to isolate (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/if-you-are-sick/steps-when-sick.html )

• Post signage requesting that people who are or have recently been symptomatic not to enter

Resiliency and support resources

• Provide employees and students with information on help lines to access for information or other support in reference to COVID-19, Hope4NC Helpline (1-855-587-3463)

Protect vulnerable Populations

Identify and protect high risk

• Enable staff to self-identify as high risk for severe disease and reassign work to minimize face-to-face contact and to allow them to maintain a distance of six feet from others, or to telework if possible

• Enable students to self-identify as high risk and make classroom accommodations for them or allow them to continue distance education.

Provide education to build awareness and combat misinformation

Proactive information dissemination Combat misinformation

• Signage and other messaging to remind patrons and staff of physical distancing

• Education on COVID 19 strategies for staff and students. (videos, webinars, FAQ)

Phase I

Re-entry Guidelines

According to the NC Community College modifications to memo CC20-21-College Guidance for

Instructional Response to COVID-19 issued March 18, 2020, “Starting May 8, 2020 colleges may offer

additional face-to-face instruction in the courses listed below, provided that the college can utilize

appropriate health protections and social distancing protocols as described by the CDC guidance for

Institutes of Higher Education.

This memo adds the following limited exceptions for face-to-face instruction, for the remainder of the

Spring 2020 Term as well as the 2020 Summer Term, when appropriate safety measures can be

followed:

Health care courses

o Examples include surgical technology, medical assisting, dialysis, associated lab courses and

phlebotomy

Transportation courses

o Examples include aviation and truck driver training

Mission Critical Facility maintenance courses

o Examples include HVAC, electrical wiring, welding, and plumbing

Infrastructure courses

o Examples include electric lineman, construction, and DOT training

Manufacturing and Customized Training

o Examples include Bio Processing, Food Processing and Health care supply manufacturing i.e.,

training that is critical to production processes.

In addition to providing instruction, colleges may choose to offer student and community response

services in a face-to-face environment where needed and appropriate. Efforts to protect the health of

students and employees should be considered when offering services in a face-to-face manner. Safety

measures may include social distancing, protective equipment such as masks and gloves and health

screenings where appropriate.

Colleges offering face-to-face instruction and services should consider the following conditions:

o Social distancing can be practiced in the face-to-face environment.

o Appropriate protective equipment and/or health screenings can be provided for students

and employees where needed.

o Clinical instruction or work-based learning is allowed by the clinical or work site.

o The student is willing to participate and is not penalized if they choose to delay instruction.

o Faculty and staff are willing to provide services and instruction in a face-to-face

environment using appropriate protections.”

Based on these recommendations and those of the Governor, SCC’s re-entry guidelines will expand

current access to the campus from essential employees to designated employees as determined by

Division VP’s. Exceptions to the minimum staffing guidelines must be approved by the appropriate

Division VP.

Governor’s Phase I After May 8

Stay at Home Order remains in place, people can leave home for commercial activity

SCC’s Phase I Beginning May 26

Leadership Team or designate, Approved Staff

No more than 10 in any area/encouraged to remain in office

Virtual meetings are encouraged

Phase I, Week 1 (Tentative May 26): Faculty will have staggered access to labs for prep

time for student return.

Staggered access will allow faculty to maintain social distance guidelines.

Phase I, Week 2 (Tentative June 1): ONLY 20% of staff in each division as determined by

the respective division VP. The following exceptions will occur and will be open normal

business hours beginning May 26, with limited staff:

IT Support

Welcome Center

Financial Aid

Records

Admissions

Business Office

Student Advisors

Workforce & Community Development

Academic Affairs

Face coverings recommended for employees/student

Social distancing

Self-monitoring (Appendix A)

Housekeeping clean multiple times/day

Communication (ReGroup if case(s) reported)

Staggered scheduling

Encourage continued teleworking

Phase II

Re-entry Guidelines

Maintain current access from Phase I from essential employees to 40% of each area as designated

employees as determined by Division VP. Exceptions to the minimum staffing guidelines must be

approved by the appropriate Division VP.

Governor’s Phase II (2-3 weeks after Phase I) May 26 or June 1

Lift Stay at Home Order with strong encouragement for vulnerable populations to continue staying at home

SCC’s Phase II (2-3 weeks after Phase I) Beginning June 8

VPs, Deans, Executive Directors

40% of staff in each division as determined by the VP of respective division

Face coverings recommended for employees/ students

Social distancing of employees/ students

Self-monitoring (Appendix A)

Telework continues with manager approval

Staggered scheduling

Housekeeping clean multiple times/day

Communication (ReGroup if case(s) reported)

Phase III

Re-entry Guidelines

Maintain current access from Phase I and II to include all campuses from essential employees to weekly

percentages of each area as designated employees as determined by Division VP. Exceptions to the

minimum staffing guidelines must be approved by the appropriate Division VP.

Governor’s Phase III (4-6 Weeks after Phase II) June 22, June 29, or July 6

Lift Stay at Home Order with strong encouragement for vulnerable populations to continue staying at home

SCC’s Phase III (4-6 Weeks after Phase II) Week 1- July 6, Week 2- July 20 Week 3- August 3

Week 1: 60% of staff in each division as determined by the VP of respective division

Week 2: 80% % of staff in each division as determined by the VP of respective division

Week 3: 100 % of staff in each division as determined by the VP of respective division

Employees have been provided face coverings by Southeastern Community College. SCC

will follow the Governor’s directive regarding the use of face coverings. Employees are

required to wear face coverings when they are or may be within six (6) feet of another

person. See Appendix A – Face Coverings

Social distancing of employees/ students

Self-monitoring (Appendix A)

Telework available on case-by-case basis and manager approval

Housekeeping clean multiple times/day

Communication (ReGroup if case(s) reported)

Managers Guide to Office Operations and Staffing

Office Operations

If possible, managers should establish an entry point and exit point to direct traffic flow and increase

social distancing. Managers should work with Safety Committee in the placement of social distancing

floor indicators. In the event there is an area where there is not a way to clearly indicate social

distancing guidelines, temporary methods may be used such as placing a table in front of the employee

workstation. Any combination of these methods may be used. If there is an area where none of these

options are available, please seek guidance from Human Resources for best practices.

The Nesmith Student Center will be closed to the public with exception of Bookstore patronage.

Lobby areas in each building with furniture will be outfitted to promote social distancing.

Signage will be placed at the main entrance to each building. Social distancing indicators will be

displayed for high volume areas such as Cashier areas (all locations), Admissions, Records, Financial Aid,

NCWorks, Ram’s Café, Bookstore, Student Engagement area, ConEd, or other areas as determined by

the area manager.

Only one person permitted on an elevator at one time. Signage will be placed to reflect that limitation.

Floor indicators will also be placed in each elevator.

No more than one person at a time is permitted to operate a vehicle in the performance of their work

duties.

Hand sanitizers will be made available for high-volume areas.

Staffing

The following guidelines will assist Supervisors in managing staff planning:

1. Employees whose work cannot be done remotely should be prioritized when determining who should return to work.

2. When bringing back employees in phases, Supervisors should not use legally protected categories (age, disability, etc.) when identifying those employees who should not return to work. Supervisors should make return to work decisions by job function, department or geography, or other job-related factors. When the employee is selected to return to work by the Supervisor, the decision to return to work is ultimately left up to the employee, not the Supervisor.

3. Because employees will be selected to return to work in phases, there will be some full-time employees who cannot work remotely. In addition, there will be some employees who do not return to work due to personal illness, a family member’s illness, lack of childcare or they do not feel comfortable returning to the work environment. Full-time employees who are unable to work remotely and are not scheduled to return during the re-entry period, or who cannot/will not return to work during the re-entry period due to COVID-19 related concerns or challenges may:

Request paid leave under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA), if eligible.

Under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act emergency paid sick leave is available to full time and part time employees for reasons related to COVID-19 with the exception of

employees who are unable to telework due to a covered reason below. Eighty (80) hours of leave are available at the employee's regular rate is available if the employee is:

a. subject to a federal, state or local quarantine or isolation order related to COVID-19 b. advised by a health care provider to self-quarantine due to COVID-19 concerns c. experiencing COVID-19 symptoms and seeking medical diagnosis

Eighty (80) hours of leave are available at two thirds of the employee's regular rate if the employee is:

d. caring for an individual subject to federal, state or local quarantine or isolation order or advised by a health care provider to self-quarantine due to COVID-19 concerns. e. caring for the employee's child if the child's school or place of care is closed or the child's care provider is unavailable due to the public health emergency; or f. experiencing any other substantially similar condition specified by the Secretary of Health and Human Services in consultation with the Secretary of the Treasury and the Secretary of Labor.

Request leave under the Emergency Family Medical Leave Act (EFMLA), if eligible.

Emergency Family and Medical Leave Expansion Act (EFLMEA) expands the FMLA of 1993 to require the leave to be paid at two thirds the regular rate for an additional 10 weeks for employees who need time off to care for a dependent child due to a day care or school closure related to COVID-19. Employees who have used FMLA in the past 12 months would have this time adjusted based on the amount of time previously used.

• Use of annual/sick leave

• Furlough – Apply for Unemployment benefits

4. Part-time employees who are unable to work remotely and who are not scheduled to return during the reentry period, or who cannot/will not return to work during the re-entry period due to COVID-19 concerns or challenges may request paid leave under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA), if eligible. All FFCRA and FMLA requests must be handled by Human Resources. If an employee is not eligible for any type of leave, the supervisor should contact Human Resources to discuss possible options. In cases where the employee is not eligible for paid leave, unpaid leave may be available.

Training for Managers/Supervisors

Training will be held for Managers/Supervisors prior to Phase I implementation to educate them on best practices in staff planning, available leave options and frequently asked questions.

When a COVID-19 Case Has Been Confirmed on Campus, Regardless of Community Transmission

If an infected person has been on campus. SCC will follow CDC recommendations, regardless of level of community spread.

Coordinate with local health officials. Once learning of a COVID-19 case in someone who has been on the campus, HR should be contacted and will immediately notify local public health officials.

Work with local public health officials to determine closure of buildings and facilities. SCC administrators will work closely with their local health officials to determine if a short-term closure (for 2-5 days) of all campus buildings and facilities is needed.

In some cases, SCC may choose to only close buildings and facilities that had been entered by the individual(s) with COVID-19.

This initial short-term campus/building closure allows time for the local health officials to gain a better understanding of the COVID-19 situation impacting the college. This allows the local health officials to help college administration determine appropriate next steps, including whether an extended duration is needed to stop or slow further spread of COVID-19.

Local health officials’ recommendations for the duration of building and facility closures should be made on a case-by-case basis using the most up-to-date information about COVID-19 and the specific cases in the community.

Communication with students, staff, and faculty. SCC will communicate about the possible COVID-19 exposure.

This communication will align with the communication plan in the emergency operations plan.

In a circumstance where there is a confirmed COVID-19 case that has been on campus, it is critical to maintain confidentiality of the student or staff member as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act, as applicable.

Potential exposed individuals

Anyone who has been within six feet for more than 10 minutes without a cloth face mask in the 48 hours must be identified by the individual who test positive.

Those individuals must be notified that they have been identified by someone who has tested positive and reported them as someone who has been within six feet for more than 10 minutes without a cloth face mask in the 48 hours must be identified.

Those identified must be instructed to self-monitor and advise if they experience any of the following symptoms:

1. Cough 2. Fever 3. Shortness of breath 4. Chills 5. Repeated shaking with chills 6. Muscle pain 7. Headache 8. Sore throat 9. New loss of taste or smell

Clery Act Emergency Notification

The Department of Education has determined that COVID-19 is considered a contagious outbreak and an emergency notification is required once a campus case is confirmed to allow the community to take proper precautions.

ReGroup Draft: (Example)

“Emergency Notification: First on-campus COVID-19 case confirmed at SCC. See [LINK] for important

information.”

Followed by an email that is more comprehensive-

ReGroup Email Draft: (Example)

Emergency Notification: First On-Campus COVID-19 Case Confirmed

Dear SCC Community,

Public Health officials have confirmed that a SCC employee/student who is currently in isolation at home

has tested positive for COVID-19. In compliance with the requirements of the Clery Act, the College is

sending this Emergency Notification to the campus community.

Though we are not able to share the employee’s name or identifying information for privacy reasons,

please be assured that professionals from the Columbus County Health Department are working to

notify any community members with whom the affected employee indicates they may have come in

contact to advise them of steps or precautions they should take.

With increasing numbers of positive COVID-19 cases in North Carolina and around the country, the

number of employees with COVID-19 on campus may increase as well. The College will continue to

follow the guidance of public health officials.

Faculty and staff presenting symptoms of COVID-19 must immediately self-isolate. Anyone who

develops symptoms can call their primary care provider for medical advice or local public health

department for guidance.

Continue to practice social distancing per the guidelines of the CDC. The College will follow

recommendations of public health officials and infectious disease experts to further reduce community

transmission of the virus.

SCC has reduced the density of our campus population to slow the spread of the virus and avoid

overwhelming health care and community systems. We have moved all course instruction to remote

delivery, requested that employees work remotely if possible, and reduced the number of students who

are permitted to remain in on campus classes. We also have employees who are deemed essential

working on campus. (modify as appropriate)

We continue to monitor this rapidly changing situation. The health and wellbeing of our campus

community continues to be our highest priority. The best place to find information on SCC’s response to

coronavirus is at sccnc.edu.

Clean and disinfect thoroughly.

Close off areas used by the infected person. Open outside doors and windows to increase air circulation

in the area and then begin cleaning and disinfection.

Cleaning staff should clean and disinfect all areas (e.g., offices, bathrooms, and common areas) used by

the infected person focusing especially on frequently touched surfaces.

If surfaces are dirty, they should be cleaned using a detergent or soap and water prior to disinfection.

For disinfection the most common EPA-registered household disinfectants should be effective. A list of

products that are EPA-approved for use against the virus that causes COVID-19 is available. Follow the

manufacturer’s instructions for all cleaning and disinfection products (e.g., concentration, application

method and contact time, etc.).

SCC will work closely with local public health officials to determine if some buildings and facilities may

remain open for staff and faculty that are not exposed.

SCC administrators will seek guidance from local health officials to determine when students, staff and

faculty should return to campus and what additional steps are needed for the campus community.

At-risk employees

Signage

Foam board signs will be displayed on easels at all entrances at each location.

Social distancing floor decals for high volume area such as Cashier area (all locations), Admissions,

Records.

Enter/exit pathways indicated.

Appendix A

Employee Self-Monitoring and Personal Protection Guidelines

Employees must answer “No” to the following questions prior to reporting to campus.

a) Do you have a fever (what is your temperature at last check)?

b) Do you have a cough?

c) Are you having difficulty breathing?

d) Do you have any underlying medical conditions such as COPD, asthma, etc.?

e) Are you having chills or repeated shaking with chills?

f) Do you have a headache?

g) Are you having muscle pain?

h) Do you have a sore throat?

i) Have you lost your sense of taste or smell?

j) Have you recently had close contact with a person with COVID-19?

k) Have you been diagnosed with COVID-19 or awaiting test results?

l) Have you traveled to known “hot spots” in state or out of state?

m) Have you traveled outside of the county in the past 14 days?

n) Have you been in contact with anyone who has traveled to domestic “hot spots” or out of the

country?

Face Coverings

Employees have been provided face coverings by Southeastern Community College. SCC will follow the

Governor’s directive regarding the use of face coverings. Employees are required to wear face coverings

when they are or may be within six (6) feet of another person.

Exceptions

1. Should not wear a Face Covering due to any medical or behavioral condition or disability

(including, but not limited to, any person who has trouble breathing, or is unconscious or

incapacitated, or is otherwise unable to put on or remove the face covering without assistance);

2. Is under eleven ( 11) years of age;

3. Is actively eating or drinking;

4. Is strenuously exercising;

5. Is seeking to communicate with someone who is hearing-impaired in a way that requires the

mouth to be visible;

6. Is giving a speech for a broadcast or to an audience;

7. Is working at home or is in a personal vehicle;

8. Is temporarily removing his or her Face Covering to secure government or medical services or for

identification purposes;

9. Would be at risk from wearing a Face Covering at work, as determined by local, state, or federal

regulations or workplace safety guidelines;

10. Has found that his or her Face Covering is impeding visibility to operate equipment or a vehicle;

or

11. Is a child whose parent, guardian, or responsible person has been unable to place the Face

Covering safely on the child's face.

Rather than establish a 100% mandatory use policy, it may be better to use a few examples of "when" and "when not" the protective mask would be required. When not required to wear:

Working alone in your office Working in your office and you can maintain social distancing (staying 6 ft apart) Working in your office and someone converses with you from your doorway (if it meets social

distancing guidelines) Walking outside or across campus (if it meets social distancing guidelines), but must have a

mask with you!

When required to wear:

Leaving your office or work space Going to the restroom Going from one area to another Attending a meeting when social distancing cannot occur

Review the following link regarding how to properly apply a mask-

https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2010-133/pdfs/2010-133.pdf

The face coverings protect others from you if you are symptomatic

Social Distancing

If one person becomes ill with these symptoms, everyone that has been within 6 foot of them

for more than 10 minutes without a mask or cloth face covering in the last 48 hours will be at

risk of exposure. If everyone follows these guidelines, no one should find themselves at risk of

exposure while at work.

If these guidelines are not followed and someone is exposed, everyone in that category that has

been within 6 foot of them for more than 10 minutes without a mask or cloth face covering in

the last 48 hours will be at risk of exposure and may be required to self-isolate for 14 days.