COVID-19 Social Distancing and Face Covering Policy

Policy Statement
Rochester EOC (REOC) has implemented social distancing and face covering measures aimed at limiting the transmission of disease, due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 virus and subsequent pandemic.

Decisions are guided by many factors including but not limited to: the epidemiology of the disease, the disease’s response (if any) to anti-viral or other medications, the availability of effective medications, specific at-risk groups, and the proximity of confirmed infection to a particular locale.

The REOC Dean/Executive Director, in consultation with SUNY Brockport and the University Center for Academic and Workforce Development (UCAWD), determined the appropriate level of social distancing and face covering measures or other safety measures to implement. Federal, state, and local governing authorities may provide guidance in making the determination, and those authorities are likely to follow Center for Disease Control (CDC) and World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines. In addition to social distancing, additional measures such as donning of personal protective equipment (PPE) may be implemented based on the epidemiology of the disease.

Purpose/Scope
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, REOC has adopted this COVID-19 ROCHESTER EOC SOCIAL DISTANCING AND FACE COVERING POLICY. This policy highlights the protections that are required and implemented to ensure the health and safety of REOC’s community including students, faculty, staff, visitors, and contractors.

Applicability
All employees, students, auxiliary organizations, contractors, volunteers, and campus visitors are affected by this policy.

Definitions

Social Distancing (is…)

• • maintaining at least six feet of distance between individuals who do not share the same household as you
  • not gathering in groups
  • staying out of crowded places
  • avoiding mass gatherings of any size

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) (Face Coverings)
Equipment worn to minimize exposure to hazards that cause serious workplace injuries and illnesses. PPE may include items such as gloves, safety glasses, respirators, or face coverings.

REOC Strategies

Social Distancing – Physical Spaces

Convening in groups increases the risk of viral transmission. Therefore, any one of, or a combination of, the following strategies will be used to prevent congregation of individuals and ensure that a distance of at least six feet is maintained among individuals at REOC, to the greatest extent practicably possible, and when seated in a classroom setting or meeting:

• • Modifying and/or restricting the number of workstations (e.g. lab benches, classroom seats, office desks) so that individuals are at least six feet apart in all directions and are not sharing workstations without cleaning and disinfection between uses.
  • Limiting space occupancy. Occupancies will never exceed 50% maximum occupancy of the space, unless it is designed for use by a single occupant.
  • Posting signage and physical distance markers denoting six feet of spacing.
  • Installing physical barriers.
  • Using tape or signs in narrow aisles, hallways, or spaces to reduce bi-directional foot traffic.
  • Marking of six feet distance circles around desks, workstations and other common work areas or areas where gathering is likely to occur.
  • Designating separate entrances and exits.
  • Removing or closing communal furniture, equipment, or facilities.
  • Restricting occupancy in small areas, such as restroom and breakrooms, through means of signage and systems (e.g., flagging when occupied). Caution should be used when utilizing restrooms to ensure six feet between individuals. If six feet between individuals cannot be maintained, when possible, consider waiting outside until distance can be ensured.
  • Posting signage limiting maximum occupancy of the space. Signs will be posted throughout the REOC campus, reminding individuals to adhere to social distancing instructions.
  • Enabling use of stairs.
  • Staggering work and class schedules.
  • Using technological capabilities (e.g., to hold meetings, for instruction, etc.). Where feasible, meetings should be held using Microsoft Teams, Blackboard Connect or by telephone. If meetings must be held in-person, they must be held in a room where social distance can be consistently maintained.

Requirements

Social Distancing
While on location at the REOC building or at any REOC-sponsored function (eg., clinical or internship location), all individuals are required to adhere to social distancing restrictions by:

• • Maintaining a distance of at least six feet from all individuals on campus to the extent possible and when seated in a classroom setting or meeting, unless safety or the core of the activity (e.g., moving equipment, using an elevator, performing a transaction) requires a shorter distance.
  • Limiting gathering sizes that exceed limits set by the Governor of New York State.
  • Following all physical distance signage and procedures for pedestrian traffic flow (e.g., entrances and exits, hallways, aisles, stairwells, etc.).
  • Following all signage and procedures restricting occupancy limits in spaces (e.g., elevators, supply rooms, faculty offices, and vehicles).
  • Limiting gathering in small spaces (e.g., elevators, supply rooms, faculty offices).

Face Covering Usage
All individuals are required to adhere to face covering restrictions by wearing an acceptable face covering (if over 2 years of age) while at the REOC building or at any REOC-sponsored function (eg., clinical or internship location), except when:

• • working alone in an enclosed space (with walls and a door).
  • wearing one is prohibited by law or regulation while performing a job duty.
  • wearing a mask would inhibit communication that is necessary for the safety of the individual or other individual(s) (in a situation where imminent threat or danger is present).
  • maintaining outdoor and social distancing restrictions can be consistently sustained (not when there is a high likelihood of passing someone on a walkway, such as when traveling in between class periods).
  • tolerating use would be medically impossible.
  • remaining in a classroom, behind a physical barrier, while all other individuals are seated a minimum of six feet away.
  • eating or drinking. Individuals may lift their face covering to take a drink or eat and then replace it afterward. Individuals must not sit facing one another unless a physical barrier is present. Staff are encouraged to take food back to their office area or eat outside, when possible. If you are eating in your work environment (break room, office, etc.), maintain 6 feet distance between you and others.

Reasonable Accommodation Process

For Employees

Employees who are unable to wear face coverings due to a medical or other health condition should consult with Human Resources to discuss reasonable accommodations.

SUNY Brockport/REOC is dedicated to providing effective, reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities. To identify and implement such accommodation, the College engages in an “interactive process,” in which the College and individuals with disabilities who request accommodations work together to reach an appropriate outcome. The Affirmative Action Officer is responsible for working with qualified individuals with disabilities to arrange changes in the work environment or procedures, which enable an individual with disabilities to experience equal employment opportunities. Employee completes the Employee Request for Disability-Related Reasonable Accommodation Form and submits to the Affirmative Action Officer.

For Students
Students who are unable to wear face coverings due to a medical or other health condition should compete and submit the COVID-19 Rochester EOC Student Reasonable Accommodation Request Form for Wearing Face Mask/Covering to Lisa Gerst in REOC Department of Student Services to discuss reasonable accommodations.

REOC is dedicated to providing effective, reasonable accommodations for students with disabilities. To identify and implement such accommodations, REOC engages in an “interactive process,” in which REOC and students with disabilities who request accommodations work together to reach an appropriate outcome.  Student Services is responsible for working with eligible students with disabilities to arrange changes in the REOC environment or procedures which enable students with disabilities to experience equal access to educational opportunities. Students who  wish  to  request  a  reasonable  accommodation  due  to  a  medical  condition  that    make wearing a face mask or covering impossible, must complete and submit the COVID-19 Rochester EOC Student Request Form for Reasonable Face Covering Accommodation.

Guidelines

Social Distancing
The REOC follows CDC Guidance for Social Distancing.

Face Coverings
The REOC follows CDC Guidance for Face Coverings.

Provided Equipment

• PPE will be provided to employees or members of the public at no cost.
• PPE must be workplace and school-appropriate and cannot feature offensive images or content.
• Face shields must not be modified in any way (i.e., cut, decorated, etc.).

Failure to Comply
Failure to comply may result in request for individual to leave the premises.

• For students, it may result in a disciplinary action.
• For employees, it may result in referral to the Office of Human Resource for review and resolution in accordance with their collective bargaining agreement, including disciplinary action or termination.
• For visitors, revocable permit holders and contractors, it may result in removal of authorization to be on REOC property and/or termination of the applicable permit/contract.

Reporting and Enforcement

All REOC employees and students are able to address peers, colleagues and students who may need reminding of social distancing and face covering requirements. In instances where members of our community do not feel safe addressing or educating others about this policy, or if there are repeated violations of this policy, individuals should contact the office of the REOC Dean/Executive Director for assistance.

This policy will remain in effect until further notice.

Approval: September 23, 2020
Category Name: Student, Staff, Visitor

Responsible Department: REOC Dean/Executive Director
Contact: Dr. Roosevelt Mareus

Links to Related Procedures and Information
NYS Covid-19 Information
CDC Covid-19 Symptom Information
CDC Guidance for Face Coverings
CDC Guidance for Social Distancing
Harassment and Discrimination Policy (REOC adopts SUNY Brockport Policy)

Adopted
By: REOC Leadership Team
Date: September 23, 2020