Last updated 4/17/20

Regular updates and official guidance from the University can be found here.

**UPDATES** 

Friday, April 17, 2020: Physical Distancing Executive Order & MD Public Schools 

• Effective 7am tomorrow, 4/18, “face coverings” are required in most public areas including retail and grocery stores, food service establishments and all mass transit.
• Retail establishments are required to follow social distancing standards regarding queues, sanitizing baskets and carts and cleaning restrooms.
• To read the full order, click here.

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Monday, March 30, 2020: Mandatory “Stay-At-Home” Order Issued for the State of Maryland

• Please refer to your email regarding instructions and guidance regarding essential work-related travel to the Stieff Building.
• The Order allows travel to obtain groceries, medicine, caring for ill family members, seeking emergency services, etc.
• The Order restricts and/or closes social gatherings greater than 10 people, fitness centers/gyms, dine-in portions of restaurants and bars (drive-thrus and delivery services are ok), theaters, etc.
• To read the full order, click here.

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Tuesday, March 24, 2020: Liberal Leave Extended Indefinitely. New Check-In Procedures Beginning Monday, 3/30

Please check your email for a more detailed update regarding:

• New weekly and daily check-in procedures;
• Positive Covid-19 test results;
• Maryland Emergency Order;
• Group Text Alerts;
• Building Access;
• Student Workers;
• Reimbursement of Cancelled Travel Procedures;
• Office Plant Watering.

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Tuesday, March 17, 2020: Stieff Building Access Closed; Mandatory Telework  Now in Effect 

In light of the latest JHU and other external advice to vacate the workplace and follow practices to remain as healthy as possible, we are effectively closing the Stieff Building for all but emergency access. Should emergency access be needed, please contact Khaleena, Tony or the guard on duty prior to visiting the building. In case of emergency, Khaleena, Tony, Joe, Jed and I are available to respond.

We ask that all personnel follow telework guidelines as outlined in the previous 3/13/20 communication (see below). Per prior guidance, all full-time HLTCOE personnel are required to check in periodically via e-mail with Khaleena and Tony on Wednesday and Friday mornings regarding your whereabouts and confirming that you are teleworking or in another work status.

Please sign up for text alerts if you have not already done so:
To join the alert system, text “join HLTCOE-alerts” from your mobile phone to 833-683-2516. (This is a closed group and communications are only one-way, as alerts sent from leadership.)

Please follow CDC and medical advice to remain safe. We look forward to resuming work as usual.

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Friday, March 13, 2020: HLTCOE Liberal Leave in Effect through March 27th 

While the University remains open for faculty and staff at this time, the HTLCOE recognizes and acknowledges the growing health concerns of our staff, childcare burdens given MD public school closures and other logistical concerns and challenges as a result of the COVID-19 situation. As a result, the HLTCOE is implementing a liberal leave policy below for non-essential staff to work from home through March 27th. During this period, you are encourage to use telework with the following conditions being understood:

• You coordinate and communicate with your supervisor and Security your schedule and contact information;
• You maintain a regular work schedule and availability by phone and email while home;
• Regular meetings, reports and work updates should occur as usual and without cancellation;
• For administrative staff ONLY: daily task and time management reports are submitted.

A remote access resource page has been compiled with links and instructions on the various teleworking tools the HLTCOE currently uses. Updates will be made to the page as we anticipate deployment of additional resources.

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HLTCOE – Stieff Specific Information:

POINTS OF CONTACT:

• For any and all questions related to Center’s COVID-19 response, please contact either Jed, Lois or Khaleena.

ILLNESS: 

• If you have been TESTED or HAVE SYMPTOMS of COVID-19, you are REQUIRED to notify JHU Occupational Health immediately.
• If you have been positively DIAGNOSED with COVID-19,  you are REQUIRED to self-quarantine immediately and you must inform JHU Occupational Health.
• In both cases, we also ask that you contact Lois, Khaleena and/or Jed.
• Occupational Health Contact info:

• • Between the hours of 7:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., call 410-955-6211
  • Between the hours of 4:00 p.m. and 7:30 a.am., call Centrex on the East Baltimore campus at 4100-955-5000 and ask for the Occupational Health Nurse on-call

DAILY BUILDING OPERATIONS:

• No new personnel – HLTCOE, annotators, or SCALE-related – will be permitted to work in the Stieff building until further notice.
• All essential visitors to the building must:
  • Confirm they have not been outside of the country in the last 14 days.
    • If they have, they will be denied access to the building.
    • If they have not, they are required to use hand sanitizer at the guard’s desk before moving about the building.
• The HLTCOE conference rooms will NOT be available for outside reservations.
• Lysol wipes and hand sanitizers have been placed throughout the office area, restrooms and common kitchen area. Please use them liberally.

GUARD ASSISTANCE HOURS:

• Mondays, Wednesdays & Thursdays: 7am – 5pm
• Tuesdays, Fridays: 7am – 2pm
• Saturday and Sunday Closed

TRAVEL:

• All non-essential mission travel is cancelled.

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CDC/U.S. Government Official Guidance: 

The CDC has released the following list of tips to prevent the spread of COVID-19:

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
• Follow CDC’s recommendations for using a facemask.
  • CDC does not recommend that people who are well wear a facemask to protect themselves from respiratory diseases, including COVID-19.
  • Facemasks should be used by people who show symptoms of COVID-19 to help prevent the spread of the disease to  others. The use of facemasks is also crucial for health workers and people who are taking care of someone in close settings (at home or in a health care facility).
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
  • If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.

The following symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure.

• Fever
• Cough
• Shortness of breath

Travel:

The State Department advises against all international travel at this time.

Please refer to the following link prior to arranging travel and for tips for traveling abroad. While it is not mandatory, it is suggested to add additional travel insurance and refrain from making non-refundable arrangements. We will provide sponsor guidance for Conference travel as updates are issued.

 https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/index.html

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/before-you-go/about-our-new-products.html

Current Travel Notices:
International Areas with Sustained (Ongoing) Transmission
Last updated February 28, 2020

• China (Level 3 Travel Health Notice)
• Iran (Level 3 Travel Health Notice)
• Italy (Level 3 Travel Health Notice)
• Japan (Level 2 Travel Health Notice)
• South Korea (Level 3 Travel Health Notice)