Employee Return to Campus Protocols | BCTC

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Employee Return to Campus Protocols

Announcements

Masks are optional indoors on all campuses as of March 1, 2022.

The coronavirus (COVID-19) has created significant health risks for some populations. In alignment with guidance from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the Governor of Kentucky and the State Health Department, the Kentucky Community and Technical College System (KCTCS) has developed and established safety protocols to assist its colleges in maintaining safe working and learning environments. These protocols outline additional precautions for student, employee, and community safety.

Employees and COVID-19

Quarantine Protocols due to Exposure

Quarantine if you have been in close contact (within 6 feet* of someone for a cumulative total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period) with someone who has COVID-19, unless you have been fully vaccinated.

People who are fully vaccinated do NOT need to quarantine after contact with someone who had COVID-19 unless they have symptoms or they have had a significant exposure. Quarantine may be considered for fully vaccinated individuals in significant exposure situations. Fully vaccinated people should get tested 5 days after their exposure, even if they don’t have symptoms.

*NOTE: For KCTCS the "within 6 feet" guideline should be used for anyone reporting a possible exposure off campus/outside of work.  If the exposure is due to an on-campus exposure (i.e. a classroom or office area) then the determination for those that need to quarantine can be anyone that was within 3 feet of the positive case individual for a cumulative total of 15 minutes or more during that day.  Your Healthy at Work Officer will make that determination.

What to do if you are NOT fully vaccinated

  • Stay home for 10 days after your last contact with a person who has COVID-19 and monitor for symptoms.
  • Watch for fever (100.4◦F), cough, shortness of breath, or other symptoms of COVID-19.
  • If possible, stay away from people you live with, especially people who are at higher risk for getting very sick from COVID-19.
  • If you have symptoms, immediately self-isolate and contact your local public health authority or healthcare provider.

Accommodating Health Department Guidance

Your local public health authorities make the final decisions about how long quarantine should last, based on local conditions and needs. Follow the recommendations of your local public health department if you need to quarantine. Options they will consider include stopping quarantine

  • After day 10 without testing
  • After day 5 after receiving a negative test result (test must occur on day 5 or later from exposure date)

Monitoring and Reporting Symptoms

Anyone experiencing the following symptoms must stay away from Campus:

  • Fever of 100.4F or higher
  • Chills or Sweating (regardless of actual temperature rating)
  • New Cough
  • Difficulty Breathing
  • Sore Throat
  • Muscle aches, body aches
  • Stomach upset or vomiting and diarrhea
  • Loss of taste or smell
  • Link to current CDC list of symptoms

Employees who experience any of the symptoms outlined above, should seek a COVID-19 test if possible. While awaiting test results and/or if instructed to self- isolate, employees must:

  • Report to your supervisor immediately that you are experiencing COVID-19
  • Contact a health department official or other healthcare provider
    • If you experience these symptoms due to another condition or illness, such as allergies, food poisoning, etc. and symptoms subside without treatment within 24 hours, you may choose to return to class/campus. ("Treatment" does not include over-the-counter pain medication, antacids, etc. or medicine regularly taken as prescribed by your healthcare provider.)
    • You will need to complete the self-certification form by selecting the first option.
  • Stay off campus until it has been 10 days since symptoms first appeared, it has been 24 hours with no fever without the use of fever-reducing medications and COVID –19 symptoms have improved.
    • NOTE: People who are severely ill and/or hospitalized with COVID-19 or have a severely weakened immune system may need to stay home between 10 and 20 days after symptoms first appeared. Consult your healthcare provider for more

Return to Campus

Before returning to campus, employees must complete and submit one of the following acceptable documents to their direct supervisor:

  • Doctor's Certification verifying that the employee sought medical attention and is not experiencing symptoms consistent with COVID-19; or
  • Local Health Department Documentation indicating the employee tested positive and was given an end date for self-isolation period

In Summary

  • If an employee tests positive for COVID-19, they should follow their health department isolation order.
  • If an employee is exposed to COVID-19, they shall quarantine for 10 days from the date of last exposure unless they have been fully vaccinated, experienced a significant exposure, or have been directed otherwise by the health department.
  • If an employee has symptoms but has not been exposed to someone with COVID-19, the employee shall quarantine until symptoms resolve plus 24 hours, or until released by their healthcare provider.