Changes to COVID procedures at NRAO/GBO
The purpose of this note is to describe our exit from the COVID-response “soft lockdown” we’ve been on for the past two months, and to present our COVID response plans moving forward.
While our COVID case numbers in January and February were significant, it appears that the Omicron surge has abated, and we are prepared to return to more normal operations. All of the changes below are enabled because of the effectiveness of the vaccines. As a reminder, employees accessing our facilities are required to be up-to-date on their boosters; accommodated employees excepted. Any employees not meeting these criteria will be placed on leave-without-pay March 2nd, and terminated March 9th.
Changes Effective March 1st:
- All employees should return to their normal duty station and schedule. Employees with approved telework agreements should return to their approved telework schedule. People working in our facilities may leave their office doors open, according to their preference. People in shared offices should return to normal practices.
- NRAO/GBO domestic business travel, and meetings in our facilities, are authorized. International business travel is authorized, but such travel should be considered carefully, based on conditions of the host country.
- AUI/NRAO/GBO sponsored offsite events are authorized. Please work with ESS to develop COVID-safe protocols for attendees.
- In-person meetings (without limitations on number of people attending) in our facilities are authorized. Masking in these situations depends on the local masking status (see below).
- Visitors/contractors/students/employee candidates are permitted to visit our facilities, and are required to be fully vaccinated and up-to-date on their booster as applicable. Visitor masking status should reflect the local masking requirements.
- NM Visitor Center/GBO Science Center are authorized to re-open to casual visitors. An ESS-approved work plan must be prepared and approved to address vaccinations, and COVID safety protocols for accepting casual visitors.
- Overnight visiting groups (GBO facilities) are approved and subject to the Observatory vaccination/booster requirements. GBO bus tours are approved, with masks required.
- The café (GBO facilities) may return to use for takeout service as soon as practicable. GBO staff may resume eating in the cafeteria.
- COVID-19 physical distancing is no longer required for vaccinated staff. Sanitizing protocols remain in place in break rooms and bathrooms at our facilities. Food sharing in break rooms is allowed. Temperature monitoring each morning will be halted. Please continue to report any COVID exposures or concerns to HR or ESS. Masking when using the VLA shuttle or bus will be based on the local masking status.
Masking
This week, CDC changed its masking guidelines, recommending decisions be based on local (county) rates of infection and positivity. We are going to follow this practice, with ESS assessing the mask requirements for our North American locations independently. The CDC county assessment website is here: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/your-health/covid-by-county.html
HR will maintain a webpage indicating the site masking requirements, and ESS will assess the situation on a weekly basis (webpage online later this week). Note – all accommodated staff will need to continue wearing masks, regardless of the site status. The mask status this week is:
New Mexico/Socorro County – masking is not required in indoor spaces; people who may be immune-compromised, or in contact with a family member who is, should continue masking. COVID-accommodated staff should continue wearing masks.
New Mexico/Bernalillo County – masking is not required in indoor spaces; people who may be immune-compromised, or in contact with a family member who is, should continue masking. COVID-accommodated staff should continue wearing masks.
Virginia/Albemarle County – Masking is required for all staff.
West Virginia/Pocahontas County – Masking is required for all staff.
ESS, your local HR representative and Dept Heads will make sure the mask status for our locations is well-known and followed closely. Assuming the overall infection rates continue to decline, I expect VA and WV will drop the mask requirements for non-accommodated staff within a few weeks. I strongly suggest you keep a mask handy in case your site status changes.
Summary:
This return to normal operating conditions is good news. We will keep an eye on the local/regional COVID situations, and may choose to reinstall parts or all of our COVID restrictions if we see upticks in infection rates, local outbreaks etc. We will need to be particularly vigilant starting late summer. We’ve all lived with COVID for two years now, and each of us is responsible for our personal safety, and that of our friends, colleagues and family members.
As we begin more activity in the facilities, we need to strongly support hybrid meetings (combining in-person and remote participants). We know this is not easy, and we’re working on solutions. Your patience is appreciated.
If you have questions or comments, please direct them to ESS, your supervisor, local HR rep, Dept head or Tony Beasley. As always, many thanks to ESS, HR, CIS and all of you for keeping us going.
