Policy: 194

COVID-19 Vaccination, Testing and Face Covering


Scope:

This Covid-19 Policy on vaccination, testing and face covering use applies to all employees of MDCBDSN. All employees are encouraged to be fully vaccinated. Employees are fully vaccinated two weeks after completing primary vaccination with a COVID-19 vaccine with, if applicable, at least the minimum recommended interval between doses. For example, this includes two weeks after a second dose in a two-dose series, such as the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines, two weeks after a single-doses vaccine, such as Johnson & Johnson's vaccine, or two weeks after the second dose of any combination of two different COVID-19 vaccines as part of one primary vaccination series. Employees who are not fully vaccinated will be required to provide proof of weekly COVID-19 testing and wear a face covering at the workplace.

All employees are required to report their vaccination status and, if vaccinated, provide proof of vaccination. Employees must provide truthful and accurate information about their COVID-19 vaccination status, and, if not fully vaccinated, their testing results. Any employee not in compliance with this policy will be subject to disciplinary action. Disciplinary action will include being placed on administrative leave without pay and/or termination depending upon the violation of the COVID-19 Policy.

Employees may request an exception from vaccination requirements (if applicable); if the vaccine is medically contraindicated for them or medical necessity requires a delay in vaccination. Employees must provide medical documentation from their primary care physician or medical specialist if they are requesting an exception to obtaining the COVID-19 vaccine or wearing face coverings in the workplace.

Procedures:

Vaccination

Any MDCBDSN employee that chooses to be vaccinated against COVID-19 must be fully vaccinated no later than January 31, 2022. Any employee not fully vaccinated by January 31, 2022 will be subject to the regular testing and face covering requirements of this policy. To be fully vaccinated by January 31, 2022, an employee must:

  • Have obtained both doses of a two-dose series and the booster shot within a six-month period of the second shot or
  • Have obtained one dose of the single dose vaccine and a booster shot.

Unvaccinated employees who are interested in receiving the vaccine, may contact SCDHEC, their medical provider, local pharmacies or urgent care facilities to obtain the vaccine. These employees will be required to comply with weekly COVID-19 testing and wearing face coverings in the workplace until they are deemed fully vaccinated. Employees will be responsible for providing Human Resources with proof of their vaccination status.

Vaccinated Employees

All vaccinated employees are required to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination, regardless of where they received vaccination. Proof of vaccination status can be submitted via email, SCOMM or hard copy to Human Resources Department. Acceptable proof of vaccination include the following:

  1. The record of immunization from a health care provider or pharmacy;
  2. A copy of the COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card;
  3. A copy of medical records documenting the vaccination;
  4. A copy of immunization records from a public health or state information system;
  5. A copy of any other official documentation that contains the type of vaccine administered, dates of administration, and the name of the health care professional(s) or clinic site(s) administering the vaccine(s).

Testing and Face Coverings

All employees who are not fully vaccinated as of January 31, 2022 will be required to undergo regular and weekly COVID-19 testing and wear an acceptable face covering when in the workplace. Policies and procedures for testing and face coverings are described in the relevant sections of this policy.

All employees who are not fully vaccinated will be required to comply with this policy for testing. Employees who report to the workplace at least once every seven days:

  1. Must be tested for COVID-19 at least once every seven (7) days; and
  2. Must provide documentation of the most recent COVID-19 test result to their supervisor no later than the seventh day following the date on which the employee last provided a test result.

If an employee does not provide documentation of a COVID-19 test result as required by this policy, the employee will be removed from the workplace and placed on administrative leave without pay until the employee provides a current test result. Any employee failing to comply with weekly testing three times during a ninety (90) day period will be terminated.

The Board will offer onsite weekly testing for unvaccinated employees as long as the Board has the ability to obtain COVID-19 Testing Kits and Nursing Staff availability to administer the tests. In the event that the Board is not able to conduct onsite testing, it is still the responsibility of the employee to obtain weekly COVID-19 testing as a condition of continued employment.

Face Coverings

MDCBDSN will require all employees who are not fully vaccinated to wear a face covering. Face coverings must completely cover the nose and mouth; be made with two or more layers of a breathable fabric that is tightly woven; be secured to the head with ties, ear loops, or elastic bands that go behind the head; fit snugly over the nose, mouth, and chin with no large gaps on the outside of the face and be a solid piece of material without slits, exhalation valves, visible holes, punctures or other openings. Gaiters are not considered an appropriate face covering while in the workplace. Employees who are not fully vaccinated must adhere to wearing a face covering appropriately while in the workplace and operating agency vehicles. The Board will provide face coverings (surgical disposable masks) for all employees. Employees may also wear face coverings of their choice.

The following are exceptions to MDCBDSN requirements for face coverings:

  1. When an employee is alone in a room with floor to ceiling walls and a closed door.
  2. For a limited time, while an employee is eating or drinking at the workplace or for identification purposes in compliance with safety and security requirements.

New Hires:

All new hires are required to comply with the vaccination, testing and face covering requirements outlined in this policy as soon as practicable and as a condition of employment. Potential candidates for employment will be notified of the requirements of this policy prior to the start of employment.

Confidentiality and Privacy:

All medical information collected from individuals, including vaccination information, test results, and any other information obtained as a result of testing, will be treated in accordance with applicable laws and policies on confidentiality and privacy.

Questions:

Please direct any questions regarding this policy to the Executive Director.

Purpose

Vaccination is a vital tool to reduce the presence and severity of Covid-19 cases in the workplace, in communities, and in the nation as a whole. MDCBDSN encourages all employees to receive a COVID-19 vaccination to protect themselves and other employees. The impact of employees receiving vaccinations will also heighten the safety of their families, consumers as well as visitors and vendors entering agency facilities. However, should an employee choose not to be vaccinated, this policy's sections on testing and face coverings will apply. This policy complies with OSHA's Emergency Temporary Standard on Vaccination and Testing (29 CFR1910.501).

Effective Date:
January 28, 2022