Revised “Close Contact” Rules for all Staff

Today we announce revised rules for vaccinated employees and front-line volunteers who experience “close contact” with someone with a confirmed or suspected case of COVID-19. These rules are based on new guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and have been adopted for the safety of our staff, customers, and the communities we serve.

Definitions:

“Close contact” means that you have been within 6 feet of the other person for a cumulative total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period.

“Fully vaccinated” means it has been two weeks or more since your final dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. The final dose for the single-shot vaccine is your single shot; the final dose for the two-shot vaccine is your second shot.

If you ARE NOT fully vaccinated:

If you are not fully vaccinated and you experience a “close contact” with someone with confirmed or suspected COVID-19:

1. Do not come to the workplace or any IYR sponsored event; if your supervisor agrees, you may continue to perform your work from home.
2. Immediately notify your supervisor, who will inform HR.
3. HR will let you know when it is safe for you to return to the workplace and attend IYR sponsored events; it is critical that you maintain communication with HR, return their calls, and provide requested information.
4. If you have no symptoms, HR will clear your return to the workplace:
   1. After day 10 without testing
   2. After day 7 after receiving a negative test result (this test must occur at least 3 days after the close contact)
5. If you test positive for COVID-19 or develop any symptoms, HR will manage your return to work consistent with applicable protocols.
6. These rules are not a change from current practice.

If you ARE fully vaccinated:

If you are fully vaccinated and you experience a “close contact” with someone with confirmed or suspected COVID-19:

1. Immediately notify your supervisor, who will inform HR.
2. The CDC recommends that you be tested for COVID 3-5 days after the close contact, and IYR encourages you to get tested to inform the management of your case.
3. Provided you don’t develop COVID symptoms, you may come to the workplace or an IYR sponsored event, but you must wear a mask at all times when inside any IYR facility or IYR sponsored event for 14 days following the close contact or until you receive a negative test result (this test must occur at least 3 days after the close contact).
4. This overrides any other IYR protocol that would allow you to drop your mask when indoors, except you may drop your mask when working alone in a private workspace.
5. You may work outside without a mask; however, during the 14-day period after the close contact, or until your receive a negative test result as outlined in # 3 above, you must maintain 6 feet of distance from other people when outside without a mask.
6. If you develop COVID symptoms or your test result is positive, you may not come into the workplace or attend any IYR sponsored event until you have been cleared by HR. Generally, you will be cleared to return 10 days after your symptoms first appeared although your actual return date will be determined by HR and depend on your specific situation.
7. See the CDC’s webpages for additional information if your test is positive, including this one.