IMPORTANT UPDATE (12/10/2020)
There have been no additional updates. Please continue to check back; all updates will be date stamped.
The following information is shared from a November 18th meeting of the CUNY COVID-19 liaisons
New York City is at a turning point with COVID-19. While we have maintained low levels of community transmission, we are now nearing a citywide percent positivity of 3%. We need to act now to stop the increase in cases and hospitalizations. This will require an all-hands-on-deck effort to keep New Yorkers healthy and New York City open.
Travel: As we approach the holiday season, it is more important now than ever that all New Yorkers help stop the spread of COVID-19. This means holidays will look different this year – we recommend that you do not travel and that you do not gather with people outside your household. If you do travel, you must follow the State guidelines for quarantining and/or testing upon return.
Testing: Regardless of travel, all New Yorkers should be getting tested. If you ever test positive, please isolate isolating immediately and answer the call from contact tracers when it comes. Contact tracers will help stop the spread of the virus and can connect you with any resources you need, including medication delivery.
It is especially important to get tested if you will be spending time with older adults or immunocompromised people.
To find locations to get tested for free:
Click: nyc.gov/COVIDtest
Call: 212-COVID19
Text: COVID TEST to 855-48
The NYS Department of Health has implemented new travel guidelines allowing out-of-state travelers to “test out” of the mandatory 14-day quarantine. The New travel guidelines go into effect today November 4th, 2020. Information on the new guidelines is available by following the enclosed link.
Guidance on “Exposed” Essential Workers Returning to Work
'Interim Guidance for Public and Private Employees Returning to Work Following COVID-19 Infection or Exposure' is from the NYS DOH and breaks down the different situations whereby employees may return to work. The directive does not address the specific issue of a failed health screening but does detail in the sub-bullet of the third bullet, what is required for essential employees to return to work (if the employee has had close or proximate contact with someone who is positive and is asymptomatic).
- If an employee has had close or proximate contact with a person with COVID-19 for a prolonged period of time AND is not experiencing COVID-19 related symptoms, the employee may return to work upon completing 14 days of self-quarantine.
- However, if such an employee is deemed essential and critical for the operation or safety of the workplace, upon a documented determination by their supervisor and a human resources (HR) representative in consultation with appropriate state and local health authorities, the exposed, asymptomatic employee may return to work so long as the employee adheres to the following practices prior to and during their work shift, which should be monitored and documented by the employer and employee.
- Regular monitoring: The employee must self-monitor for a temperature greater than or equal to 100.0 degrees Fahrenheit every 12 hours and symptoms consistent with COVID-19 under the supervision of their employer’s occupational health program
- Wear a mask: The employee must wear a facemask at all times while in the workplace for 14 days after last exposure.
- Social distance: The employee must continue social distancing practices, including maintaining, at least, six feet of distance from others.
- Clean and disinfect workspaces: The employer must continue to regularly clean and disinfect all areas, such as offices, bathrooms, common areas, and shared electronic equipment.
- Maintain quarantine: The employee must continue to self-quarantine and self-monitor for temperature and symptoms when not at the workplace for 14 days after last exposure.
Individuals who believe that they have erroneously received a RED TOKEN / NOT APPROVED, on the Everbridge health screening questionnaire will not be able to retake the health screening questionnaire without first being cleared by a negative COVID-19 test or by a licensed healthcare provider. Supporting documentation to clear an individual must be submitted to Human Resources- humanresources@ccny.cuny.edu .
All are advised to read the questions carefully and to review answers carefully before submitting them.
The EVERBRIDGE APP is now active and should be used to complete the daily health screen. The app is available via the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store.
After a brief one-time setup of the Everbridge app, the Daily Symptom Checker takes less than two minutes to complete. The questions asked are an important reminder to consider whether you have symptoms of—or have been exposed to someone with—COVID-19 before you step foot on campus.
When you’ve answered all the questions in the Daily Symptom Checker, you’ll see one of two tokens.
If you see a green checkmark ✔ token, you’re approved to visit and will need to show this token and your City College ID to the Public Safety Officer when you arrive.
If you see a Red Cross mark ✘ token, you have not been approved to visit and should stay home.
The City College COVID-19 team will be notified of all rejections and will contact you with further instructions or information.
Anticipated questions about the health screening process and the Everbridge Health Screening app.
How do I respond to the symptoms question if I have a pre-existing medical condition with the same symptoms?
A few of the symptoms listed in the question may occur with a preexisting medical condition, such as allergies or migraines. You should only answer “Yes” to the question if your symptoms are new or worsening.
Is the application available through a web browser, to accommodate people without smartphones?
No, the Everbridge app is only available for mobile devices running iOS or Android, such as a smartphone, iPad, or tablet.
How do I get notified that my entry has been approved?
The notification appears in the Everbridge app under its Feed section within a minute or two of your questionnaire completions.
How long is the health screening result message valid?
Following NY State guidelines, the approval is valid for 12 hours from the time it is issued.
Will the Everbridge app let you submit the health screening results without answering all the questions?
No, answers to all questions are required to submit.
Campus Updates
As per the directive issued by New York State, training is required for all employees who will be in the City College - CUNY offices/facilities going forward. This includes employees returning to work according to approved plans and employees deemed essential already working onsite.
To facilitate this training, CUNY has made available the New York State COVID- 19 Response: Return to Work Training. This training is provided via CUNY Blackboard. This training is mandatory and you must complete this training to be allowed to work onsite.
Please log into CUNY Blackboard to complete the course. The course is available under My Organizations.
Additionally, the facilities division has developed a Health and Safety plan for workers in the facilities division. The Health and Safety plan outlines the steps being taken by the Facilities division to mitigate hazards associated with the COVID emergency. Questions pertaining to the training or the health and safety plan can be directed to your supervisor.
Face masks or face coverings must be worn in public when social distancing (staying at least 6 feet apart) is not possible. The NYS Department of Health link below provides information on putting on and taking off face coverings.
If you have tested positive for COVID-19 or have elected to self-quarantine, please inform the CCNY COVID-19 Hotline at 212-650-8801 and /or 212-650-7682.
The Center for disease control and Prevention (CDC) guidance and information for the Coronavirus Disease 2019(COVID-19), the link will take you to the CDC resource page https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/
The City College of New York
Department of Facilities Management
X8675
Last Updated: 12/15/2020 12:21