COVID-19 Protocols FAQ

1. What are the current mask requirements for HCPS?
   Masks are optional for school sponsored activities, except in health suites. Masks are optional on school buses.

1. What operational status threshold is HCPS operating under?

   As of April 1, 2022, the HCPS operating status is as stated below.

The CDC definition of close contact may be found by clicking here.

1. Who do I contact if I have COVID-19 symptoms?
   If you were at work within 48 hours of having COVID-19 symptoms, you must report this to your supervisor and Human Resources. There is an email address for employees to report COVID-19 cases to Human Resources: Covidreporting@hcps.org.
   
   

2. Why am I not informed about COVID-19 positive numbers?
   HCPS publishes all COVID-19 positive numbers on hcps.org daily. These numbers are displayed by school. Parents and guardians will be notified by their school of a classroom or schoolwide outbreak.
   
   

3. What is the HCPS quarantine guidance?
   Individuals identified as close contact will need to talk with the HCPS HR specialist to determine next steps, as isolation guidance is based on multiple factors, including vaccination status and symptomatic presentation, as well as recommended testing.
   
   

4. How do you calculate isolation or quarantine end dates?
   To calculate your five (5) full day isolation period, day zero (0) is your first day of symptoms. Day one (1) is the first full day after your symptoms developed. If you test positive for COVID-19 and never develop symptoms, day zero (0) is the day of your positive viral test (based on the date you were tested) and day one (1) is the first full day after your positive test. If you develop symptoms after testing positive, your 5-day isolation period must start over.
   
   

5. My doctor said 10 days, but the school said 5. What should I do?
   Follow your doctor’s guidance. School guidance is 5 days and asymptomatic, and fever free without medication for 24 hours. You may require more than 5 days quarantine/isolation.
   
   

6. If an employee presents with COVID-19 symptoms or a positive test result, will they be required to have a negative COVID-19 test before returning to work?
   No, however, the HCPS HR Specialist - Case Manager will guide you on your return-to-work needs based on your unique health circumstances.
   
   
7. Must an employee identified as a close contact and asked to quarantine use their personal or sick leave?
   Any employee with essential in-person responsibilities will need to use personal or sick leave if they are unable to report to work for their in-person tasks.
   
   
8. Do I need a booster to be considered fully vaccinated?
   

   The CDC has added boosters into their clinical decision aids. The requirements for being fully vaccinated are still the same, but in some circumstances, boosters are being factored into the decisions for things like quarantine. For this circumstance, it is best to talk to a health care provider to understand anything specific to your health and vaccine.

   
   
9. How is HCPS making decisions about increasing or decreasing activity restrictions related to COVID-19 transmission?
   HCPS has aligned our approach with CDC determinations of COVID-19 Community Levels. Levels can be low, medium, or high and are determined by looking at hospital beds being used, hospital admissions, and the total number of new COVID-19 cases in an area. To view the latest CDC Community Levels visit: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/your-health/covid-by-county.html The HCPS Operational Status will reflect our community level defined by the CDC and will reflect any operational restrictions or allowances based on that status. The HCPS Operational Status can be viewed at hcps.org.
   

1. If an employee is required to quarantine/isolate due to exposure while at work, must they use their accrued leave?
   For unvaccinated employees, regardless of the reason for quarantine/isolation, the employee must utilize their accrued leave during that period.
   
   For vaccinated employees, who test positive for COVID-19, effective 1/17/22 employees may be eligible for coverage of up to five full days via COVID-19 breakthrough leave. (HCPS Special Announcement)
   
   
2. If an employee is required to quarantine/isolate, how should their leave be coded?
   An unvaccinated employee who is required to quarantine/isolate must use their illness, personal business, and/or annual leave.
   
   Vaccinated employees who are positive for COVID-19 may be eligible for up to five duty days breakthrough leave which would be coded as COVID-19 breakthrough leave once vaccination status has been verified. (Staff Relations - Breakthrough Covid Leave Directions - payroll purposes.pdf - All Documents)
   
   Illness in family leave may be utilized if the employee (vaccinated or unvaccinated) is out due to a member of their household who has been required to quarantine.
   
   
3. If an employee will be out for more than five (5) duty days, are they required to apply for FMLA?
   Qualifying leave under the FMLA will vary based on the reason for leave. Employees with FMLA qualifying leave questions should contact the Benefits Office at benefits@hcps.org. However, below are two scenarios that may help determine if FMLA leave is needed:
   
   a. If the employee is ill and or is caring for an FMLA qualifying family member who is ill, they may apply for job-protected leave under the Family Medical Leave Act just as they would for any other health condition.
   
   b. If the employee is not ill and or is not caring for someone who is ill and must quarantine for close contact or closure of a child’s school/daycare, they likely will not be eligible for FMLA due to the serious health condition qualifier.
   
   

4. To whom should I direct an employee if they have concerns about utilizing their leave due to a requirement to quarantine because of an exposure that occurred while actively performing their job functions in the building?
   Employees with concerns about utilizing their leave due to exposure in the school building may contact the Staff Relations Office at (410) 588-5311.

1. Who should employees contact if they have COVID-19 symptoms or were in close contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19? School-based employees who are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms or have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 should be directed to their school nurse for further guidance on isolation or quarantine requirements. Non-school based employees should contact the Human Resources office at covidreporting@hcps.org for isolation or quarantine guidance.

1. Is working from home still permittable?
   Immediate supervisors will continue to determine if/when an employee may work from home based on specific job duties.
   
   

2. Am I allowed to let an employee who must quarantine/isolate work virtually during their quarantine/isolation period if they feel well enough?
   If the essential functions of the employee’s job duties allowed them to work virtually before the quarantine/isolation requirement, it is at the supervisor’s discretion to allow that individual to work virtually during that period. If the essential functions of that person’s job duties require them to be in-person, they must utilize their sick leave during their quarantine/isolation period. If you have further questions regarding the ability to approve an employee for telework, please contact the Human Resources Department.

   
   

3. Am I allowed to let an employee who must quarantine/isolate work virtually due to their child being required to quarantine?
   If the essential functions of the employee’s job duties allowed them to work virtually before the quarantine/isolation requirement, it is at the supervisor’s discretion to allow that individual to work virtually during that period. If the essential functions of that person’s job duties require them to be in-person, they must utilize their sick leave during their quarantine/isolation period. If you have further questions regarding the ability to approve an employee for telework, please contact the Human Resources Department.

This FAQ was last updated on April 1, 2022 at 8:00 a.m.

Do you have a question that was not answered here?
Email us at COVID19questions@hcps.org.

Email: COVID19questions@hcps.org
Website: https://www.hcps.org/covidresources/