What Employees Need to Know About the Coronavirus
Refer to the FAQs below to stay informed about the policies and procedures regarding the impact of COVID-19 on MCG workers. As this is a rapidly evolving situation, guidance and policies may change without notice.
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Vaccination
- Looking for the latest information about getting vaccinated for COVID-19 in the County? See the County Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) COVID-19 vaccine webpage and FAQs about the COVID-19 vaccine .
- Looking for information on the State's vaccination plan? See FAQs about the Maryland COVID-19 Vaccination Plan .
- Seeking general information about COVID-19 vaccines? See the Center for Disease Control's FAQs about COVID-19 Vaccination and Myths and Facts about COVID-19 Vaccines .
- Couldn't find what you were looking for? General questions about COVID-19 vaccines or the vaccination process can be directed to the State's call center at 1-855-MD-GOVAX (1-855-634-6829). Questions about human resources topics only such as leave and workplace policies can be directed to the Office of Human Resources (OHR) mailbox at OHR@montgomerycountymd.gov .
- While COVID-19 vaccines are encouraged, the choice to receive a vaccine is voluntary. New hires that applied to a job that was active on our website as of August 30, 2021, are required to be vaccinated prior to beginning employment with the County.
- Employees are still encouraged to report or update their vaccination status (including boosters) in the COVID-19 Vaccination Disclosure System .
- Employees can visit the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) COVID-19 Vaccine Webpage to find up-to-date information about COVID-19 vaccines and booster vaccines, make an appointment to be vaccinated at a Montgomery County-run vaccination clinic, view clinic locations that accept walk-ins, and more.
- For the latest leave and timekeeping guidance, visit the MCtime website .
- Log on to the County's ePortal with your AccessMCG username and password and provide proof of vaccination in the COVID-19 Vaccination Disclosure System .
- If you previously reported a status of partially or fully vaccinated and have since received an additional dose or booster, you can log into the COVID-19 Vaccination Disclosure System to provide updated proof of vaccination.
- When you received your vaccine(s), you should have been provided with proof of vaccination, such as a CDC COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card from your provider. If you are vaccinated but do not have proof of vaccination, please contact the place where you received your vaccine(s) for assistance. Alternatively, you may be able to obtain a Certification of COVID-19 Vaccination through ImmuNet-Maryland's Immunization Information System , a secure web-based registry operated by the Center for Immunization at the Maryland Department of Health that allows users in participating states to locate their official vaccination records.
- Only the department COVID-19 POC and Occupational Medical Services (OMS) have access to view an individual employee's vaccination status.
Illness and Exposure
For more information about COVID-19 testing for MCG employees, visit MCG's COVID-19 Information Portal. For questions or assistance, call the COVID-19 Testing Helpline at 240-777-1755.
- Review the latest Employee Guidelines on What to Do If You Become Sick or Exposed to COVID-19 .
- If you have been directed to quarantine/isolate, even if you are not symptomatic, you must stay home.
- Notify your supervisor that you were instructed to quarantine/isolate due to a presumed or confirmed positive diagnosis of COVID-19.
- Follow the guidance given by your healthcare provider and Departmental COVID-19 POC.
- You must remain at home and may not return to your work site until OMS clears you to return to work.
If you are approved for telework and your symptoms are mild enough that you are capable of continuing to work remotely while you are sick, you may do so. Visit OHR's Telework Webpage to learn more.
Important: OMS cannot answer questions related to leave. For the scenario described above, employees will be provided with COVID-19 Administrative Leave during the mandatory quarantine/isolation period per CDC guidelines. For further details, please refer to the Time Reporting and Leave section.
- Review the latest Employee Guidelines on What to Do If You Become Sick or Exposed to COVID-19 .
- If you have been exposed to and/or in direct contact with a positive case of COVID-19, contact your departmental COVID-19 POC. The COVID-19 POC will ask you questions to assess the situation and provide guidance on appropriate next steps based on the latest guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Maryland Department of Health (MDH), and Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS).
- If advised to leave work, notify your supervisor by phone or email.
- Review the latest Employee Guidelines on What to Do If You Become Sick or Exposed to COVID-19 .
- Notify your supervisor that you are sick and are staying home.
- Contact your healthcare provider for guidance and remain in contact with your healthcare provider if your symptoms change.
- If you have COVID-like symptoms, you are encouraged to get tested as soon as possible. Notify your supervisor if you receive a positive COVID-19 result.
- Stay home until you have been cleared by your healthcare provider to return to work.
- If you have been absent for more than 15 work days, you must provide medical documentation from your medical provider to OMS indicating clearance to return to work.
- For more information on what to do if you are sick, please review the latest CDC guidance . You can also refer to the CDC’s guidance on symptoms and testing .
- If you are approved for telework and your symptoms are mild enough that you are capable of continuing to work remotely while you are sick, you may do so. Visit OHR's Telework Webpage to learn more.
To be considered fully recovered, you must have documentation from your healthcare provider that you are ready to be released from quarantine.
Prior to returning to your work site after a COVID-19 related absence, you must do the following:
Prior to returning to your work site after a COVID-19 related absence, you must do the following:
- Notify your supervisor of your intention to return to work.
- Obtain documentation from your healthcare provider that you have successfully completed/been released from quarantine.
- Email return to work documentation to OMS at omscovid19info@montgomerycountymd.gov. OMS will provide you, your supervisor, and your COVID-19 POC with an approved Health Status Report (HSR).
Workplace Safety, Commuting and Travel
- Every night, cleaning services staff disinfect surfaces. Janitorial staff will only wipe down surfaces that are clear of obstacles.
- Employees who work onsite are encouraged to regularly move items (computer monitors, phones, desk calendars, etc.) from surfaces so that the entire surface can be accessed. Employees should continue to clean keyboards, mice, laptops, and phones.
- Learn more about cleaning and disinfection procedures during COVID-19 here.
- That depends on how many members of the public and employees use a workspace. On average, employees should clean high traffic surfaces two to three times a day. If you do not work in a high traffic area, please use your best judgment and common sense in determining how often to clean.
- Learn more about cleaning and disinfection procedures during COVID-19 here.
- No; social distancing protocols are no longer in effect.
- In most County buildings and areas, face coverings, otherwise known as masks, are not currently required.
- Public Safety and healthcare employees must continue to follow the internal policies of their respective agencies concerning the wearing of face coverings.
- Employees and visitors who are visiting spaces where healthcare activities are occurring must also follow the policies established by the healthcare provider.
- Employees must follow any applicable federal, state, or local face covering requirements.
- Employees returning from isolation or quarantine may be required to wear face coverings to work based on OMS's Illness/Exposure Protocols .
- Employees who are not up to date on their COVID-19 vaccinations including booster shots and those with underlying conditions that may place them at increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19 are strongly encouraged to wear face coverings indoors as well as in crowded outdoor settings where physical distancing cannot be maintained.
- Yes. Meeting room capacities have returned to pre-pandemic guidelines.
- Business travel is permitted, but employees are encouraged to review the COVID-19 conditions at the destination to make a decision about travel safety and also review the CDC’s latest travel guidance. Employees should submit business travel requests through eTravel, and Directors should make the final determination as to whether the business travel is appropriate. The Travel Guidance issued on May 10, 2021 has been rescinded.
- Employees planning personal travel are encouraged to avoid places where there is a high level of COVID-19 transmission and also review the CDC’s latest travel guidance before travelling.
Here is the latest guidance:
- You will be notified by supervisors and/or managers, as directed by the CAO, with guidance from the County Health Officer.
Time Reporting and Leave
- For the latest leave and timekeeping guidance, job aids, and other related resources, please visit the MCtime website .
Supervisor Guidelines
- Please review the Supervisor Guidelines on What to Do If An Employee Becomes Sick or Exposed to COVID-19 and What to Do If a Contractor Becomes Sick or Exposed to COVID-19 (Note: Updated contractor guidance forthcoming).
- In addition to the above guidance, supervisors should report any employee exposures to or diagnosis of COVID-19 as part of County work to CorVel (the County’s Third Party Claims Administrator) via the regular methodology.
- If an employee says they have flu-like symptoms, managers should not ask them to clarify to identify COVID-19, just take the information provided and report it. OSHA has defined the COVID-19 virus as a recordable illness, so this reporting is the methodology to start that process.
Organization
Resource
Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS)
https://montgomerycountymd.gov/HHS/RightNav/Coronavirus.html (for general information)
DHHS, Public Health - Communicable Disease and Epidemiology Office
240-777-1755
Note: Call volume is high despite an increase in staffing to cover the lines; you may need to leave a voicemail for a return call.
Note: Call volume is high despite an increase in staffing to cover the lines; you may need to leave a voicemail for a return call.
Maryland Department of Health
Centers for Disease Control
OHR Telework
https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/HR/Telework/TeleworkProgram.html
Employees: Apply Online
Telework Guidance During COVID-19
Note: Contact the IT Help Desk for technology assistance: 240-777-2828.
Employees: Apply Online
Telework Guidance During COVID-19
Note: Contact the IT Help Desk for technology assistance: 240-777-2828.
OHR OMS
https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/HR/OccupationalMedicalServices/OMS.html#1
Reporting COVID-19 related Illness/Exposure:
Reporting COVID-19 related Illness/Exposure:
COVID-19 POCs must fill out an online OMS COVID-19 Department Report every time an employee in their department:
- Has been exposed to an individual who has tested positive with COVID-19
- Has been quarantined by a Medical Provider
- Has been tested for COVID-19 and is awaiting results
- Has tested positive for COVID-19
COVID-19 POCs must use the online COVID-19 Department Reporting Application and attach all supporting documentation (if received) within 24 hours of notification/exposure.
MCtime Event-related Timekeeping Guidance
Employee Assistance Program
Need Proof of Essential Employee Status?
Fill out the COVID-19 Travel and Child Care Form for Employees and have your supervisor sign it.