From: ^Human Resources
Internal Communications <Human.Resources.Internal.Communications@ssa.gov>
Sent: Wednesday, July 28, 2021 9:01 AM
Subject: New CDC Guidance and COVID-19 Workplace Reminders
TO: All SSA Personnel
SUBJECT: New CDC Guidance and COVID-19 Workplace Reminders
A Message to All SSA Personnel
While the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
updated guidance on the Interim
Public Health Recommendations for Fully Vaccinated People yesterday,
all SSA personnel are reminded that we continue to follow the policies in our
current Workplace
Safety Plan (WSP), which include properly wearing a face
mask and maintaining physical distance in all offices, along with adhering
to self-screening criteria.
SELF-SCREENING: Prior to entering
SSA facilities, everyone must self-screen. If the answer to any of the
screening questions is “yes,” you must not enter SSA facilities, regardless of
vaccination status. The self-screening questions are:
- Do you have any symptoms
of COVID-19 including:
- Cough or sore throat;
- Fever (100.4 degrees or
higher);
- Chills;
- Shortness of breath or
difficulty breathing;
- Muscle pain or body aches;
- Headache;
- New loss of taste or smell; or
- Gastrointestinal symptoms like
nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.
- Within the last 14 days, have
you:
- Been diagnosed with COVID-19;
- Received instructions from a
public health authority (local health authority, medical professional,
etc.) to self-monitor for symptoms or self-quarantine;
- Traveled outside the country,
including on a cruise ship; or
- To your knowledge, been in
close physical contact (within 6 feet) with a person who was diagnosed
with COVID-19 within 14 days of your contact with them.
FACE MASKS AND PHYSICAL DISTANCING:
Everyone must wear face
masks covering the nose and mouth at all times in SSA facilities and avoid close
contact with other people. Close
contact is defined by the CDC as being within 6 feet of another
person for a total of 15 minutes or more during a 24-hour period.
Everyone must physical distance at least 6 feet while in SSA facilities.
TESTING: Free
COVID-19 testing is available from many local pharmacies. The CDC
recommends that anyone with symptoms of COVID-19 or who has had a close
contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19 get tested (refer to
screening questions above), regardless
of vaccination status. Remember to stay away from other people
pending a test result and consult with your healthcare provider.
VACCINATION: According to the CDC,
vaccines for COVID-19 are safe and effective at preventing COVID-19,
including severe illness and death. We encourage all eligible employees
to become vaccinated as soon as possible. The agency continues to offer
up to 4 hours of administrative leave for vaccination and up to 2 days of
administrative leave for any adverse reactions to vaccination. To find a
COVID-19 vaccine near you: Search vaccines.gov,
text your Zip Code to 438829, or call 1-800-232-0233.