June 2, 2020
Good Afternoon,
Yesterday afternoon, Governor Whitmer announced the end of the Safer at Home Executive Order, effective immediately. While that is welcomed news, it does not mean we are instantly going back to “business as usual.”
We will continue to operate in Phase 2 of the Preparedness, Response and Moving Forward Plan for the foreseeable future. The governor made clear yesterday that all of the COVID-related safety measures, such as social distancing and face coverings, continue to be critically important and are required.
As a reminder, for us this means…
- If you are reporting to work in-person (to a WCRC facility, project or vehicle), you need to contact your supervisor ahead of each shift with answers to the latest health screening questions. The latest questions are about displaying COVID-type symptoms and having close contact with someone who has tested positive. We are no longer asking about travel. If you answer yes to any of the questions, your supervisor should contact HR prior to you reporting for work.
- Masks or face coverings must be worn inside a WCRC facility whenever an employee leaves their assigned workspace (office, cubical, vehicle).
- In-person, work-related meetings are allowed but virtual meetings are still preferred and highly recommended. If meetings must occur in-person, at least 6-ft of social distance should be maintained, and all participants shall wear a mask or face covering during the meeting.
- All common spaces have posted limited occupancy, including break rooms. Access to microwaves, refrigerators and coffee stations will be provided, however users must sanitize these stations before and after use.
- While the stay home order has been lifted, the executive order still demands that anyone who can work remotely, continue to do so.
In addition, this latest change will mean higher traffic volumes than we have seen in more than 10 weeks. Please be extra cautious while working in and along the roadway, we are not used to higher traffic volumes and drivers are not used to seeing you and construction signs/cones.
Finally, while the lifting of the stay home order may not create many changes in our workplace, it certainly feels good to be moving in a positive direction. Please continue to use good hygiene and social distancing practices both at work and at home. We have come a long way in the past few months and we want to continue this trend.
Once again, thank you for all of your efforts over the past few months, I’m so proud of your work to serve the people of Washtenaw County.
Take care and stay safe,
Sheryl
