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Dec 04

City Manager's Message Dec. 4: COVID-19 Safety Reminder

Posted on December 4, 2020 at 5:57 PM by Don Mann

Earlier this week, Gov. Northam held a press conference to discuss the concerning rise in COVID-19 cases. The City of Hampton has seen an increase in percent positive cases this week. We are now at 9.2% for our 7 day positivity rate. A variety of factors, including social gatherings, travel, and increased indoor activities have resulted in more positive cases and an increased risk of contracting the virus.
 
It is critical that we maintain strict safety protocols, and I have instructed department heads to increase their vigilance to reduce the spread of COVID-19. The practices implemented by our city are based on VDH and CDC guidance and are designed to help protect you and others around you. Failure to follow these safety protocols is a violation of personnel policy and subject to disciplinary action —  but we should follow them regardless. As public servants, we are all leaders in setting a tone for our community.

As a reminder, the procedures are as follows:
  • Before reporting to work, conduct a self-assessment. If you are experiencing any COVID-19-related symptoms, contact your supervisor and do not report to your workplace. (For more information here is the city’s self-assessment tool: https://hampton.gov/DocumentCenter/View/31211/Temperature-Guidelines-PDF or please visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/symptoms-testing/symptoms.html.)
  • Follow the city’s reporting guidelines if you receive a positive COVID-19 test result and follow the recommended isolation period.
  • Temperature checks are required upon entering all city facilities.  Staff members will now be assigned to the entrances of City Hall and the Ruppert Sargent Building to ensure that all employees and citizens complete a touchless temperature scan using the monitors. To ensure that all staff and citizens are properly screened, the delivery doors at Ruppert Sargent will no longer be broadly accessible by employees who do not have a need to enter from this exit. Please use the main doors for access each day. We should be able to deploy more touch-less temperature scanners starting next week. In the meantime, if you do not work in one of these buildings, please continue to use the handheld touch-less thermometer stations already established at your work site.
  • Face coverings should be worn at all times in areas where the public is served and in any common areas shared with co-workers.
  • Continue to consistently practice social distancing of at least 6 feet, hand washing/sanitizing, and disinfecting frequently touched surfaces.
  • Business travel remains restricted to essential travel only and all out-of-state business travel requests must receive advance authorization from me.
Our Executive Management Team is currently assessing and implementing options for expanding telework to minimize the spread of the virus while maintaining essential services.  Your continued flexibility is greatly appreciated as we respond to changes in the pandemic and updated public health recommendations. Your manager will notify you about specific telework plans for your department once they are finalized. Not every department will be able to provide the telework option based on the job functions. My leadership team continues to carefully monitor local case data and we are prepared to respond to troubling trends with additional safety measures and to implement any further restrictions from the governor as needed. 
 
The city has been working closely with the local health district in ongoing planning for community COVID-19 testing and vaccinations (when they become available).  I am pleased to announce that Hampton (in partnership with the Virginia Health Department) will offer a large-scale drive-thru testing event on Dec. 19 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Further details including the location will be announced as soon as logistics are finalized. This event will be free and open to anyone interested in being tested, even those with no current symptoms.  Our hope is that the availability of testing will promote safer choices over the holidays.
 
Furthermore, vaccines are a light at the end of this long tunnel. As you are hearing in the news, the local health district advises that it will be several months before there are enough doses for widespread administration to the general public. In the interim, let us all recommit to keeping ourselves and others safe. 

Thank you for your unwavering dedication to our citizens as well as your cooperation in following all safety protocols and telework modifications. We are all weary, but we will get through this together! 

— Mary

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