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Through many different contexts county government employees have been classified as essential <br /> employees. It is vital that the services our local government provides remain available to the <br /> public. The Hall County Board is encouraging flexibility by Elected and Appointed leaders of all <br /> departments to do their best to remain open and responsive to the public's needs while also <br /> protecting the health and safety of all county employees. <br /> The most recent guidance from the CDC and CDHD is attached. Generally,when an employee tests <br /> positive for COVID19 it is anticipated that the employee will refrain from being at work for five <br /> days after symptoms begin or five days from the date of a positive test if asymptomatic. If/when <br /> the employee returns to work after the fifth day,the employee is expected to wear a mask at all <br /> times and in all places within Hall County buildings,vehicles, and property through the tenth day. <br /> The employer is permitted to ask for and receive verification of a positive test result. <br /> To calculate a date for isolation,the first day of symptoms OR if no symptoms the day of the test <br /> that results in a positive test is considered day"zero". The isolation period is for 5 days after day <br /> zero. If an employee has symptoms beginning on Saturday,their day'zero'is Saturday even if they <br /> do not get tested until Monday and the test result is not received until Tuesday. In this example, <br /> the employee's isolation period would be completed on Thursday and it would be anticipated the <br /> employee would return to work on Friday, assuming their symptoms have improved and the <br /> employee does not have a fever. Another example, employee is asymptomatic but takes a test for <br /> COVID19 on Wednesday. The employee receives a positive test result on Thursday. The <br /> employee's day 'zero' would be Wednesday, and the employee it would be anticipated that the <br /> employee would return to work on the upcoming Tuesday. The five day isolation period may be <br /> extended if the employee continues to have a fever or their symptoms are not improving. <br /> Due to our status as essential employees, even with a positive test an employee may be <br /> allowed/expected to work, if able,to provide for continuity of necessary county services. Please <br /> use your best discretion in balancing the need to remain available and responsive to the public's <br /> need for county services and the health and safety of all county employees. <br /> If the department has work that can be done remotely, the employee is feeling well enough to <br /> complete the work, the work that is being done remotely meets the department head's <br /> expectations for quality and quantity,and completing the work allows the department to maintain <br /> its continuity of operations, the Board is supportive of allowing employees to work remotely. <br /> The County is encouraging the use of social distancing. The County will continue to make available <br /> additional cleaning supplies and masks as requested through the Facilities Department. <br /> Appointed and Elected Officials continue to have the authority to protect the workplace by <br /> sending away from the workplace any employee who is sick. Hall County wants to avoid the <br /> necessity of having an entire department closed. It is reasonable to have a conversation with an <br /> employee who appears to present a health risk for the rest of the employees and public. For <br />