As we have returned to mostly normal operations and public health guidance has evolved, we continually assess ANR's COVID-19 prevention protocols to keep aligned with current standards and risks. With that in mind, we are now able to end use of the daily Clearance to Work Survey, and transition to a COVID-19 Screening Report, in which ANR employees will only need to complete the survey when they have information that needs to be reported. Employees will use the COVID-19 Screening Report to report the following issues: COVID-19 test results, symptoms, or close exposures. On most days, if you have nothing to report in these areas, you will not need to fill out any survey. This change will be effective May 16, 2022.
With this change in procedure, it is important to remember COVID-19 has not gone away and we continue to have cases among our employees and in our communities. We all must remain vigilant at monitoring ourselves for symptoms before coming to work each day, and staying home if we are sick or have symptoms that are not from a known or chronic condition. You should also be prepared to get tested if you have symptoms for more than a day or so or after a close exposure. These actions – symptom monitoring, staying home when sick, and testing - need to continue in order to keep our workplaces healthy and prevent the spread of any infectious disease.
In compliance with the UC COVID-19 Vaccination Program Policy, employees who have applied for or received an approved exemption from the vaccination requirement must continue to test weekly for COVID-19. The COVID-19 Screening Report will be the mechanism for these employees to report their test results.
Beginning on May 16, 2022, you will be able to access the COVID-19 Screening Report survey at: http://ucanr.edu/covidscreening or https://ucanr.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_2bJqUltOugxJX8y
Depending on an employee's responses to the survey, there will be different results messages to the user – this will include instructions on staying home with symptoms, guidance and timeline for staying away from the office for a positive test, or quarantine instructions for a close exposure. The survey results will also be forwarded to the employee's supervisor. When reporting a positive test, the survey will trigger response of ANR's COVID-19 response team, to follow up with the employee to ensure they have information on leave options and return to work, as well as assessing if additional notifications or other measures are required to prevent spread of illness in the workplace.
If you do need documentation of Clearance To Work, similar to the current daily survey, due to requirements of your facility or for some other reason, you can complete the COVID Screening Report on any day to document that you have not tested positive, have no symptoms, and no close exposures and will receive a “Cleared to Work” result.
If you have questions about current COVID-19 protocols at your workplace, please ask your supervisor or Safety Coordinator, or contact UC ANR Risk & Safety at ehs@ucanr.edu.
Brian Oatman
Director, Risk & Safety Services