Dear colleagues,
Thank you for your attention and flexibility in helping us address the evolving COVID-19 response. The Lab’s Critical Incident Management Group (CIMG) continues to monitor the impact of COVID-19 on our communities and its implications for Lab operations. Our goal is to keep the Lab community healthy, drawing from federal, state, and local guidance and the best available scientific information. To that end, we are asking you to help implement the following new measures:
Self-Isolation After Travel from CDC Level 3 Countries
As of today, Feb. 27, the Lab is requiring current and new employees, affiliates, visitors and users who are not experiencing symptoms to, prior to entry to the Lab, self-isolate at home for 14 days after traveling from a CDC Level 3 country (presently China and South Korea). Please review this self-isolation policy, and if you are hosting an upcoming visit of a user or guest, please ensure the user or guest receives a copy of this policy.
Self-isolation is not required for individuals arriving from CDC Level 2 countries. For asymptomatic individuals, there is no need for medical verification or a note from a doctor after the isolation period.
If You Are Experiencing Symptoms
Anyone who is experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, whether they have traveled recently or not, should immediately call their health care provider. If you are unsure of what to do, contact the Lab’s Health Services at 510-486-6266, or consult this list of local medical facilities. Individuals desiring to be tested should also contact their healthcare provider.
Return To Work
For employees and affiliates who are ill and away from work longer than five days, it is a DOE regulation that you are required to undergo a return to work evaluation per CFR 851. Generally, a note from your medical provider will suffice.
New Hires
Supervisors of new hires arriving from a CDC Level 3 country should contact the Lab’s International Researchers and Scholars Office at irso@lbl.gov as soon as possible for guidance and assistance.
Telecommuting
Approval to telecommute is a decision between you and your supervisor. There is no indication that coming to work at the Lab’s locations increases your risk of exposure to COVID-19. If public health authorities update their guidelines, the Lab will evaluate its policies.
Self Care
As is the case during any respiratory illness season, one of the best ways to protect yourself is to keep your hands clean. This means frequent washing and sanitizing as well as politely declining handshakes (high fives and fistbumps too, sorry).
Inclusive Behavior
There are a few reports of unkind and uncivil comments made to our colleagues who are Chinese or Asian American. This virus spreads based on where people have traveled, not because of who they are. Please be an upstander for your colleagues, share the facts, not fear, and help build an inclusive Lab.
COVID-19 Guidance
We realize these safety measures will affect your operations, and that you may need to communicate these measures with your communities. Please reference the information available on our COVID-19 website. If you have questions, contact the Critical Incident Management Group at CIMG@lbl.gov.
For More Information
We appreciate your flexibility in this fluid situation. Our practices and policies may change as the situation changes, but we remain committed to keeping you informed. We are collecting resources on our COVID-19 website. We’ve also established an email inbox, CIMG@lbl.gov, for any questions you might have. We will continue to provide updates on this situation as it develops by email, at status.lbl.gov, 1-800-445-5830, and @LBNLstatus.
Michael