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Home My WebLink About12 22 COUNTY OF JEFFERSON State of Washington In the Matter of Adopting a Tenth } Temporary County Policy Based on } RESOLUTION NO. 12 2 2 Emergency Response to the COVID-19 } Pandemic } WHEREAS, on February 29, 2020, Governor Jay Inslee declared a State of Emergency in all Counties in Washington State to due to the public health emergency caused by the COVID-19 virus; and, WHEREAS,on March 10,2020,the Jefferson County Health Officer issued a Public Health Order to control and prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus; and, WHEREAS, on March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization declared the outbreak of COVID-19 to be a pandemic; and, WHEREAS, on March 16, 2020, the Jefferson County Board of Commissioners approved a Declaration of Emergency due to the COVID-19 Pandemic; and, WHEREAS, on March 23, 2020, Governor Jay Inslee signed Proclamation 2()-2- declaring that a State of Emergency continues to exist in all Counties in Washington State due to COVID-19; and, WHEREAS, on March 23, 2020, the Jefferson County Board of Commissioners approved a Resolution Temporarily Limiting Access to County Buildings and Offices through April 24, 2020, due to the COVID-19 Pandemic; and, WHEREAS,on June 24,2020,the Secretary of Health issued Order 20-03,effective June 26, 2020, requiring all individuals in Washington State to wear a face covering that covers their nose and mouth when in any indoor or outdoor public setting, except under certain circumstances, which provides a minimum level of protection for Washingtonians when they are not at work where the Department of Labor& Industries' face covering requirements apply; and, WHEREAS, on July 24, 2020, the Secretary of Health issued Order 2()-(13._1, effective July 25, 2020, which expands the Secretary's prior face covering mandate to require all people in Washington State to wear a face covering when they are outside of their house, mobile home, apartment, condominium, hotel or motel room, bedroom in a congregate living setting, or other dwelling unit; and, WHEREAS, as of March 1, 2021, COVID-19 vaccines became available for the general public and employees according to each individual's Washington State mandated priority order and Jefferson County, in order to promote public health during this pandemic, deems it in its interests to encourage employees to become vaccinated; and, Page 1 of 4 WHEREAS, Proclamation 20-2S has been amended several times, with the most recent amendment occurring on September 13, 2021 in Proclamation 2 -2 s-I 7; and, WHEREAS, rates of COVID-19 transmission and hospitalization have been on the rise from the summer of 2021 through mid-January 2022 due to the highly contagious Delta variant and Omicron variant, largely in the unvaccinated population; and, WHEREAS, fully vaccinated persons obtain a high level of protection from the vaccine both in terms of getting sick and, even if there is a breakthrough infection, for fully vaccinated persons from getting a severe version of the disease; and, WHEREAS, as of December 20, 2021, the COVID-19 variant, Omicron, was detected in the United States and is rapidly increasing the proportion of COVID-19 cases it is causing; and, WHEREAS, the Omicron variant has demonstrated an increased ability to evade immunity achieved through vaccination and through prior infection, when compared to prior variants. This has led to an increased rate of breakthrough infections in our community. However, the disproportionate majority of the new COVID-19 cases diagnosed in Jefferson continue to be among the unvaccinated,who remain 2-4 times more likely to contract COVID-19 than those who are fully vaccinated; and, WHEREAS, Omicron is a highly contagious variant that is easily spread to others and while current vaccines are expected to protect against severe illness, hospitalizations, and deaths due to infection, breakthrough infections in people who are fully vaccinated have been occurring in significant numbers; and, WHEREAS, due to the level of vaccination achieved in the population and the level of infection of unvaccinated persons to COVID-19 as a result of Omicron, the risk of high levels of hospitalization for COVID-19 has significantly diminished; and, WHEREAS,on February 28,2022, Governor Inslee announced,in concert with the Governors of Oregon and California, that Washington's indoor mask mandate would lift for most places on March 11, 2022 at 11:59 p.m. including most businesses, child care facilities, government facilities, and schools, but not in health care facilities, like hospitals and doctor's offices, and at long-term care facilities, prisons and jails, public transit, taxis, ride-hail vehicles and school buses; and, WHEREAS, the Health Officer for Jefferson County has announced she will rescind the public health order requiring masks in indoor,public places on March 11,2022 at 11:59 p.m. while continuing to strongly recommend wearing masks in indoor settings until reaching a community transmission threshold of less than 100 cases per 100,000 in a two-week period; and, WHEREAS, vaccines remain the best public health measure to protect people from severe illness and hospitalization from COVID-19, slow transmission and reduce the likelihood of new variants emerging and masks offer protection against all variants; and, Page 2 of 4 WHEREAS, throughout the COVID-19 pandemic there have been waves of increased risk of transmission, requiring the ability to implement stricter mitigations and safety protocols as recommended by public health officials; and, WHEREAS, RCW 3K.52_070(2) vests emergency powers in the Board to take extraordinary measures for the preservation of public health and to relieve loss, hardship, and suffering; and, WHEREAS, the severity of the situation demands that the Board take measures to protect the public and County employees from further transmission of COVID-19 in Jefferson County; and, WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners has determined that generally applicable conditions on attendance at open public meetings with only remote meetings or meetings with limited in-person attendance are reasonably necessary to protect public health, safety and against interruption of open public meetings; and,' NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Board of Jefferson County Commissioners that: 1. As long as there is a declared state of emergency, open public meetings will be: (a) held in virtual formats only with the public having access via internet platforms (such as Zoom or GoTo Meeting), via the telephone or streaming on the County's website or (b) held in hybrid formats with in-person capacity limited to 50 percent of the venue's capacity and at the same time a virtual format with the public having access via internet platforms (such as Zoom or GoTo Meeting), via the telephone or streaming on the County's website; and2 2. APPENDIX `I' — Temporary Personnel Policies to Address the COVID-19 Pandemic as amended(attached) is adopted as set forth below; and 3. Each policy in this resolution is adopted as a temporary measure to slow and help prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus, APPENDIX `I' — Temporary Personnel Policies to Address the COVID-19 Pandemic as amended (attached) continues to be added to the Jefferson County Personnel Administration Manual and contains standards for public service and accountability and is necessary to maintain the efficiency of governmental operations. Employees who fail to follow the requirements of APPENDIX `I' are subject to disciplinary action and termination for just cause. 'See ESI3 1329,at 3. 2 This assumes 1.513 L'>29 or a bill in substantially the same form passes the Legislature. ("Agencies may impose generally applicable conditions on meeting attendance, including at remote meetings or meetings with limited in- person attendance,that the governing body determines are reasonably necessary to protect public health or safety,or against interruption of the meeting. There must be an opportunity for public comment at or before every regular meeting in which a public agency governing body takes final action,except in emergency situations.") Page 3 of 4 4. This Resolution shall repeal and replace Resolution 04-22 of Jefferson County and shall be effective at 12:01 am. on March 12, 2022 or when the statewide mask mandate is lifted as announced by Governor Inslee on February 28, 2022, whichever is�sooner. !V APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 74 day of t Yv1► , 2022. SEAL: JEFFERSON COUNTY WARD OF COMMISSIONERS • Heidi e our, Chair ATTEST: r'i J .111111-jilaW t � ' reg Brotherton, Member 0,4 6tea.), Ka e Dean, Member Carolyn j a laway, CMC Clerk of the Board Page 4 of 4 APPENDIX `I' — Temporary Personnel Policies to Address the COVID-19 Pandemic 1. HEALTH AND SAFETY WORKPLACE REQUIREMENTS: To help prevent the spread of COVID-19 employees must follow these workplace requirements: A. Sick Employees Must Stay Home: Please help keep co-workers safe. This includes temporary/seasonal employees. 1. If you are sick, please contact your supervisor immediately and stay at home. 2. Medical certification from your health care provider may be required. 3. If you need to stay home to care for a sick family member, please do so. During this time, more workers may need to stay at home to care for sick children or other sick family members than is normal. 4. Employees may use individual leave accruals per policy (e.g., sick leave, vacation, floating holidays, and comp time) and may be eligible for WA State Paid Family & Medical Leave. B. COVID-19-Sick Employees or Family Members: 1. Employees who have been sick with or without COVID-19 may be required to provide medical certification. Medical certification for FMLA requests will be required if the FMLA is for a COVID-19-sick employee or family member. 2. If an employee is sick, with or without COVID-19, the employee must: a. Notify their supervisor immediately. The supervisor and any other employee who knows must keep the notification confidential, except as provided in Section 2.d., below. This is required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). b. Follow guidance from the Jefferson County Public Health Department regarding symptoms and testing and what to do if they are sick: hops: v vA.000.jcfiLlSOIl va.us/1)()LamentCenter/VieNN/1251 8/Testing-Flowchart c. Follow guidance from the CDC regarding symptoms and testing and what to do if they are sick: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/index.htm I. d. Once informed, the supervisor and/or department director will immediately notify the Human Resources Manager. 3. When a supervisor or department head is notified of an employee who is sick, they must: a. Send the person home if they are at work. b. Follow guidance from the Jefferson County Public Health Department regarding symptoms and testing here: https://www.co jefferson.wa.us/DocumentCenter/View/12518/Testing-Flowchart. Page 1 of 5 c. Notify the Human Resources Manager if an employee tests positive with COVID- 19. d. Maintain confidentiality of an employee who is sick or exposed. e. Notify other staff who may have been exposed to COVID-19, without identifying any employee who may have been the source of the exposure. f. Contact Facilities to sanitize the workplace. g. Work with the Human Resources Manager to develop a plan for their department to limit additional exposure to other employees and the public. The Human Resources Manager will coordinate with the Department of Public Health before finalizing a plan. 4. Employees who have a family member at home with COVID-19 must: a. Notify their supervisor immediately. b. Follow guidance from the Jefferson County Public Health Department regarding symptoms and testing and what to do if they are sick: http,."yA w.co.jeller,,on.v a.us/DocumentCenter/View/12518/I esting-Flowchart c. Follow guidance from the CDC regarding symptoms and testing and what to do if a family member is sick: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/index.html. d. Working remotely may be authorized if approved by the employee's department director. C.Recommendation for All Employees to Get Fully Vaccinated and Boosted. The County recommends that all employees get fully vaccinated and boosted against COVID-19. D. Required Log of Fully Vaccinated Employees_ For as long as required by the State of Washington Department of Labor and Industries, the Human Resources Manager shall keep a log of all fully vaccinated employees. The Human Resource Manager shall make the log available to the Washington Department of Labor & Industries upon request. E. Required and Recommended Face Coverings: To help prevent the spread of COVID- 19 employees required by applicable federal, state, or local health officer requirements are required to wear face coverings. Department heads and elected officials will advise all employees in their departments whether applicable federal, state, or local health officer requirements apply to employees in their departments. Employees not required by applicable federal, state, or local health officer requirements orders to wear face coverings are recommended to wear face coverings while indoors: 1. Definitions. a. "Face covering"means a mask made of at least two layers of cloth,a surgical mask, a KF94 mask, a KN95 mask, or an N95 mask. "Face covering" does not include bandanas,face shields,gaiters with less than two layers of cloth,scarfs,or sweaters. b. "Fully vaccinated employee"means an employee who has received all the required doses of a vaccine for COVID19(e.g.,two doses of the Moderna or Pfizer vaccines, or one dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine), two weeks have passed since the Page 2 of 5 final dose, and has provided proof of vaccination in the form of an official vaccination card, a likeness of an official vaccination card, or by signing a document under penalty of perjury that they are fully vaccinated and providing it to the Human Resources Manager or designee. c. "Highly Protective Face Covering" means a KF94 mask, a KN95 mask, or an N95 mask. d. "Unvaccinated employee" means an employee who does not satisfy the requirements in the definition of fully vaccinated employee. 2. Face Coverings Required or Recommended for All Employees at All Times, While Indoors. a. All employees, including any unvaccinated (defined above) or fully vaccinated employee (defined above)who are employees required by applicable federal, state, or local health officer requirements are required to wear face coverings over the nose and mouth at all times to prevent transmitting droplets while working or present indoors in any space owned or operated by Jefferson County, including but not limited to publicly-accessible or shared space, hallways, stairways, meeting rooms, breakrooms, restrooms, or individual offices. b. All employees, including any unvaccinated (defined above) or fully vaccinated employee (defined above) are recommended to wear a face covering (defined above) over the nose and mouth at all times to prevent transmitting droplets while working or present indoors in any space owned or operated by Jefferson County, including but not limited to publicly-accessible or shared space, hallways, stairways, meeting rooms, breakrooms, restrooms, or individual offices. c. When wearing face coverings is required by applicable federal,state,or local health officer requirements, employees may wear County-provided face coverings or coverings made or purchased by the employee. d. Employees shall keep cloth face coverings clean,consistent with washing standards set by the CDC. 3. Face Covering Not Required for Employees While Working Outdoors. Employees working outdoors will not be required to wear a face covering. 4. Avoid Touching Surfaces and Face While Using a Face Covering. Employees should avoid touching mouth, nose, eyes or nearby surfaces when putting on, using, and removing a face covering. 5. Exception for Courts. The judges of the District and Superior Courts have authority to modify the requirements in this Section 1.C. as necessary to meet statutory or constitutional requirements for their courtrooms. Page 3 of 5 6. Americans With Disabilities Act Compliance. Pursuant to the Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. §§ 12101-12213) or the Washington State Law Against Discrimination(ch. 49.60 RCW),an employee may request an accommodation to the face covering requirements in this section. F.Supportive Work Environment: While we continue to encourage mask wearing until we reach a safer case threshold we will support all our employees in their choices around mask wearing. Both County employees who choose to wear masks and those who do not wear masks will be supported. To create an inclusive and respectful work environment an employee will not be harassed nor criticized for either wearing a mask or not wearing a mask. G.Frequent and Adequate Hand Washing: To help prevent the spread of COVID-19 employees must follow these workplace requirements: 1. Wash hands frequently and regularly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds as needed and including: when arriving at work, coming and going from different worksites, taking breaks, using the restroom, before and after eating, drinking or using tobacco products, after sneezing and/or coughing, and after touching surfaces or handling objects touched by others or suspected of being contaminated. 2. Use hand sanitizer (between handwashing) after touching surfaces or handling objects touched by others or suspected of being contaminated. 3. Do not touch mouth, nose or eyes with unwashed hands. H.Education: To help prevent the spread of COVID-19 employees are provided the following information about these workplace requirements: 1. Education and information about COVID-19 is provided to employees through adopted policies, established guidelines and protocols, signs, posters, informational bulletins and meetings. 2. Resources for current information and additional guidance include: a. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention(CDC): www.cdc.gov/coronavirus. b. Washington State Department of Health: www.doh.wa.gov/coronavirus. c. Washington State Department of Labor and Industries: www.lni.wa.gov. d. Jefferson County Public Health: www.cojefferson.wa.us/1429/COVID-19 or by telephone at(360)385-9400. 2. DELEGATION OF AUTHORITY TO COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR TO ISSUE INTERPRETATIONS AND MAKE ADJUSTMENTS TO HEALTH AND WORKPLACE SAFETY REQUIREMENTS: During the temporary period of the public health emergency, the County Administrator is hereby delegated authority to issue interpretations as needed of how these Policies and the leave policies of the Jefferson County Personnel Administration Manual shall be administered by the County, including Elected Officials and Department Directors, during the temporary period of the public health emergency to ensure efficient use of resources and compliance with federal and state law. Page 4 of 5 In addition, and as necessary, the County Administrator may adjust in writing the Health and Workplace Safety Requirement (#1) outlined in this Policy to be consistent with federal or state law, and report those changes to the Board of Commissioners. 3. TEMPORARY PAID ADMINISTRATIVE LEAVE ENHANCEMENT: As of March 1, 2021, COVID-19 vaccines became available for the general public and Jefferson County employees according to each individual's Washington State mandated priority order. As of September 22, 2021, a single booster dose became available after completion of the primary COVID-19 vaccine series. Jefferson County, in order to promote public health during this pandemic, deems it in its interests to encourage employees to become vaccinated. Effective January 1, 2022, using the form developed by the Human Resources Manager and in order to prevent workplace transmission of COVID-19, Department Directors and the Human Resources Manager may approve up to 40 hours of paid administrative leave for employees who are sick or quarantining per Jefferson County Department of Public Health directions, or if their child is sick or quarantining. Paid administrative leave shall only be used when remote work is not possible. Paid Administrative Leave (pay code 223, reason code COVAX) shall be used to track this paid administrative leave. Using the form developed by the Human Resources Manager, Department Directors also may grant up to 8 hours total of paid administrative leave for employees to receive a vaccination or booster dose, and to recover from effects of the vaccine. 4. MORE STRINGENT FEDERAL, STATE OR LOCAL REQUIREMENTS APPLY. If federal, state, or local health officer requirements are more stringent than the above policies, the more stringent federal, state, or local health officer requirements shall apply. Page 5 of 5 JEFFERSON COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AGENDA REQUEST TO: Board of County Commissioners FROM: Mark McCauley, Interim County Administrator Philip Hunsucker, Chief Civil Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Sarah Melancon, HR Manager DATE: March 7, 2022 SUBJECT: Potential Adoption by the Board of County Commissioners of a Resolution, RE: In the Matter of Adopting a Tenth Temporary Policy Based on Emergency Response the COVID-19 Pandemic STATEMENT OF ISSUE: As a measure to protect public health and County employees under the declared State of Emergency for COVID-19,the proposed resolution adopts a tenth temporary County policy based on emergency response to the COVID-19 Pandemic. On February 28, 2022, Governor Inslee announced that Washington's statewide, indoor mask mandate will lift for most places on March 12, 2022. This includes most businesses, childcare facilities, government facilities, and schools; however, the mask mandate would remain in effect in health care facilities, like hospitals and doctor's offices, and at long-term care facilities, prisons and jails,public transit,taxis, ride-hail vehicles and school buses. ANALYSIS: This Tenth Temporary Policy: • Rescinds the requirement to wear masks while in public spaces • Continues to require masking in health care facilities and the jail • Recommends the wearing of masks while indoors • Continues the requirement for virtual meetings • Provides the ability for meetings to be held in hybrid formats with in-person capacity limited to 50 percent of the venue's capacity • Encourages employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19 • Continues the Temporary Administrative Leave Enhancement FISCAL IMPACT: This Resolution has no fiscal impact. RECOMMENDATION: This Tenth Temporary Policy was developed with input from the Policy Management Group, the COVID-19 Coordination Group, Department Directors and Elected Officials. REVI D BY: ee,/ Mark McCau , Interim County Ad im trator