Frequently Asked Questions for Employees

Workplace Expectations & Guidance

Do I have to self-quarantine for 14 days if I travel to an affected area?

Personal travel to domestically and internationally to impacted areas is highly discouraged. If you have traveled, or plan to travel, to an area where there are high amounts of COVID-19 cases, you should stay at home for 14 days before returning to the workplace. 

Information is being updated daily at the Commonwealth of PA: https://www.pa.gov/guides/responding-to-covid-19/#Travel


Will I be paid if I have to self-quarantine?

If your position doesn’t allow the option to work from home, you would have access to 10 days of paid COVID leave for purpose of quarantine. If you have exhausted your 10 days of COVID leave, you would need to use accumulated sick or vacation time. Alternatively, you could request to be added to an upcoming testing pool if one is available so that you could be cleared to return to work.


Is the out-of-state quarantine recommendation moot if we test negative for COVID-19?

Yes


Does FMLA apply if I contract COVID-19? Does FMLA apply if my spouse or child contracts COVID-19 and I must stay home to care for them?

Please contact Human Resources with questions regarding FMLA leave. Determinations will be based upon the legal requirements and individual circumstances with appropriate medical documentation.


What if I am unable to work because of a non-medical COVID-19 related situation (i.e. caring for a child whose school or day care center is closed?)

You should contact your supervisor who will consult with HR to determine what benefits or leave options may be available to you.


What about signage up for people to obey 6ft with masks? Could we have markers on the floor in our offices to indicate 6ft distance? Will there be signage about our interaction with visitors and expectations of their expected behaviors?

Yes, you may mark your floor. You will be able to select from standard signage options provided by facilities. Public safety will be able to assist you should you encounter an individual who is non-compliant.


Will the floors be marked as to where the appropriate desk placement to keep social distancing should be?

Yes, desk placement will be marked with a blue dot.


 

Health and Safety

Will all testing be done at JCEL?

Testing will take place on-campus. Your appointment will be confirmed prior to testing and will include the reporting location.

Am I able to schedule myself for a same day COVID-19 Test at Juniata?

Juniata is unable to do unscheduled, same day testing. We are building schedules for surveillance testing that allow us to maintain the appropriate testing supplies and to allow for social distancing during wait times. Please note that we no longer receive the same day test results experienced at “move in” due to recent changes to testing protocols required by the Commonwealth of PA.

If an employee feels at risk due to a possible exposure, she/he should contact a personal physician for guidance on a test. Students should contact Health and Wellness.

Employees will be tested every few weeks as a part of our surveillance protocol beginning in early September. Students will also be scheduled for surveillance testing. Test scheduling emails will be sent directly from the COVID Testing 
Center email box.


Is the implication then that discovering any self-check symptoms (e.g. sneezing or sore throat) throughout the semester mean that we should teach remotely until they resolve?

Yes

Are walking meetings permissible?

Yes, with masks and social distancing.

While using masks will we need to change them frequently if we’re interacting with others ie: in person meetings, drop ins etc.? Will disposable or cloth masks or other PPE be provided?

Refer to return to workplace guidance which outlines best practices for use of face coverings here: https://www.juniata.edu/coronavirus/for-employees/workplace-return-guide.php. There will be supplies of disposable masks in various locations which will be communicated at a future date.

Has it been determined if face shields are an appropriate alternative to masks?

No. In fact, we have had a physician refuse to sign off on a face shield accommodation because the medical evidence does not suggest a shield by itself is as effective. If you must wear a face shield in a lab situation for example, we suggest you wear both. We are also researching plastic window masks if you are instructing in a foreign language, or a student accommodation situation such as lip reading. In this case you may also want to consider recording mask free lectures into Moodle.

So for Juniata, masks are required at all times on campus as a rule, and face shields are just extra protection?

Yes, unless you are in a lab or other situation where a face shield is required PPE.

How do we sign up for one of the clear masks?

Contact Roy Nagle in Environmental Health & Safety: nagle@juniata.edu

Are we working collaboratively with JC Blair?

Yes, we are working collaboratively Penn Highlands-Huntingdon (formerly J.C. Blair).

Do I need to respond to the daily symptom check texts on Saturdays & Sundays?

Faculty and staff who support weekend activities on campus should respond to the symptom check prior to coming to campus. If you do not normally work on Saturday & Sundays you may disregard the text.

I have been approved to telecommute and will not be coming to campus. Do I need to respond to the daily symptom check texts?

If it is a regular work day for you but you will not be working on campus, you can select the option that indicates it is not a day you would normally come to work on campus.

How can a person who doesn’t have a cell phone or has bad cell service, use the Symptom Checker on a PC?

Here is the web link for you to complete the survey on your PC:

https://flmsr.io/7K-EAYRygw0 

The only difference between the mobile experience and the link for the computer is that the name and ID number won't automatically pre-fill, you will need to enter that manually on a web browser.

Your ID is your employee number and use your name.

Please let Human Resources know if you have any issues with access.


If we are told we have been in potential contact with a COVID-19 positive student or colleague, does Juniata take care of the test (even if asymptomatic) or are we to just stay home for 14 days? Both?

You should call your personal physician for guidance. There is different guidance based on how long you were in close proximity, the nature of the contact, the PPE you had on, etc. Your physician is the best to offer that guidance, given your circumstances. If the physician determines that there is a high likelihood of exposure, we ask that employees not to use our onsite testing, so as to avoid bringing further exposure to campus. One should quarantine at home as directed by the physician. Insurance pays for testing if the individual is symptomatic.


 

Facilities

Will classroom buildings be open on weekends?

Yes, academic buildings will be open until midnight when the cleaning crew will arrive to sanitize the space.

What about studio and lab spaces, is there a plan for student access or will that be up to the instructor?

Just like the academic buildings, they will have access until the cleaning crew arrives at midnight.

How/when will we find out about the directional stairwells and hallways?

Facilities will mark stairwells and hallways in early August prior to the return of students.

What are the elevator rules?

Most elevators will require only one rider at a time.

Will Baker still be open to faculty for lunch?

Initially takeout only will be provided for faculty and staff. Expanded retail options from Jitters and BAC will also be available.

Where will the self-service cleaning supplies be available?

Self-service cleaning supplies will be available in central locations in each building. You will be alerted when and where available.

What about supplying face shields and/or plexiglass at desk in the main office (formerly QUEST) for whomever is covering drop-in hours? Are we going to have plexiglass or other clear plastic barrier between our desks and students or individuals who come in to meet with us?

If your building has drop-in hours, contact facilities to explore the feasibility of installing a tabletop plexiglass shield.

It was mentioned that facilities will only clean once a day? Will that include restrooms?

Yes.

When offices are cleaned or air filters changed, how will we be made aware?

Facilities is cleaning and enhancing all air handling systems. Private offices will be cleaned according to their normal schedule, and employees are encouraged to regularly clean their private office space with cleaning supplies provided.

When can I use the fitness center, and what protocols will I be required to follow when using it?

  • Use of the fitness center will be scheduled in 45 minute blocks, on the hour, to accommodate sign-ins and additional cleaning.  
  • The fitness center will be open from 10am-11pm Monday-Friday; 10am-6pm Saturday and Sunday. 
  • Staff and Faculty times are as follows: 
    •  Monday-Friday 12pm-12:45pm; 5pm-5:45pm 
    •  Saturday and Sunday 10am-10:45am; 2pm-2:45pm. 
  • Face coverings are required in all spaces. 
  • Equipment will be spread out or taken off line to meet social distancing guidelines. 
  • There will be no access to racquetball courts, locker rooms or fitness center annex. 
  • All patrons will be provided with a spray bottle and cleaning cloth and are expected to wipe down equipment before and after use.

What about other facilities in the Kennedy sports and recreation center?

  • A staffed control desk will be placed by the front entrance where you will be asked several screening questions as well as getting a temperature check before entering. 
  • Access to Kennedy sports and recreation center will be limited to the Detwiler Plaza entrance. 
  • Scheduled use of the Main and IM gyms will be monitored. 
    • Available times for free play will be posted and scheduled times will be required, face coverings required for all activities except when using the pool. 
    • Socially distanced groups of no more than 3. 
    • No contact activities.

 

Regarding Students

Will students be subject to pooled testing, too?

Yes

Are there guidelines for interacting with students outside of the classroom?

It is inadvisable to host gathering in your home. Small groups of less than 10, properly socially distanced with masks, may assemble outside.

Can we move office hours fully virtual?

Yes

Are there procedures in place for students who need to be quarantined?

Yes. Please Student Resources available here: https://www.juniata.edu/coronavirus/for-students/

Will students be advised of the same self-testing checklist the faculty are using?

Yes

I understand that a mobile application (Full Measure) will be used by student, faculty and staff for use in monitoring daily symptom checking. Will Faculty have access to the student app responses?

You will not have administrative access to app data, but may utilize a process similar to checking your boarding pass as students enter the classrooms.

Are we able/required, then, to check them before each class?

More information will be coming from student life regarding the campus access pass.

Is it true that parents will not be allowed in dorms on move-in days?

Students will be tested prior to being allowed on campus. If the test is negative, they will be cleared to move into the dorm. The student will be limited to two helpers as advised by PA Department of Health; families will be advised on distancing and isolation before arrival.

I’ve received questions from families about trips off campus, such as going to Raystown Lake, Sheetz and/or Walmart? Are those trips allowed for students?

We will essentially draw a bubble around the borough which will likely include Walmart. If students leave the bubble, we will work with them on the “re-entry” plan depending on the risk of where they went.

Do we have specific rules about college vehicles and taking students on field trips to the local area?

Please contact the Provost’s office for guidance on scheduling student field trips.