Metro Drug Coalition, Inc.

COVID-19 Phase 3 Plan 

First and foremost, the Metro Drug Coalition (MDC) is committed to the safety and health of all staff and volunteers. With that in mind, this document serves to put in place actions to be taken to maintain a safe work environment, while also insuring the continuity of business operations.

Following the stay at home orders from the current outbreak of COVID-19, MDC will continue to follow the “phased” return to work guidelines as suggested by the Knox County Health Department’s “A Community Strategy for Phased Reopening” as laid out. During phase three, KCHD will be following the TN Pledge guidance that can be found here, https://www.tn.gov/governor/covid-19/economic-recovery/tennessee-pledge.html. Since no two businesses are alike, the application of these guidelines are specific to the work and work space of the MDC.

Workplace Coordinator:  The Executive Director will be the designated COVID-19 coordinator.

General Guidelines:

Physical Distancing and Good Hygiene:

  • In the office, stay at least 6 feet away from others not from your household whenever possible.
  • It is strongly recommended that you wear a cloth face covering (mask) when unable to consistently maintain 6 feet of physical distancing while in public or in the office as needed.
  • Assume you are infectious and that others are as well, regardless of whether they have symptoms.
  • Wash your hands with soap and water or use hand sanitizer (containing at least 60% alcohol), especially after touching frequently used items or surfaces.
  • Avoid touching your face.
  • Sneeze or cough into a tissue or the inside of your elbow.
  • Regularly disinfect frequently used items and surfaces using an EPA-registered household disinfectant provided by MDC.
  • STAY HOME IF YOU ARE SICK OR HAVE BEEN TOLD TO ISOLATE/QUARANTINE
  • Be part of keeping things clean.
  • Due to the small staff at MDC and the work space provided, a minimum of 6 feet is available between staff. Therefore, employees can choose whether to wear masks at their desks or not.
  • When moving into common areas, such as hallways, bathrooms, kitchen or conference room, masks may be worn to protect oneself and others if physical distancing is not possible.
  • If physical distancing becomes problematic, there will be staggered shifts or telecommuting options available.
  • BE RESPECTFUL OF EACH OTHER AND PERSONAL PREFERENCES. IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE INDIVIDUAL TO COMMUNICATE PERSONAL PREFERENCES TO THEIR TEAM MEMBERS.

 

Higher Risk Individuals:  Anyone with underlying health conditions (over age 65, high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, chronic lung diseases, asthma or compromised immune systems) are encouraged to continue to stay and work from home during Phase 3.

 

General Sanitation:

  • Frequent hand washing is the most effective preventive measure. Wash hands frequently using soap and water or hand sanitizer when soap and water are unavailable.
  • DO NOT USE OTHER EMPLOYEES EQUIPMENT-this includes: desks, phones, chairs, computers or personal items. Each employee should establish an inbox system for others to leave mail, printed documents, etc…on desks.  When possible, send items electronically.
  • When using shared equipment sanitize in between users, using the products provided.
  • The office will be professionally cleaned one time per week.
  • Every evening the last person to leave the office will be responsible for wiping down all doorknobs, copier, bathroom sink area, flushing mechanism on commodes, kitchen counter and sink faucets/handles, coffee maker, light switches, heat/air controllers. Disinfectant wipes and gloves are provided for this purpose.  Be sure to also wipe down the exterior door handles as you exit the building.

 

Business Travel:

  • Travel during Phase 3 for MDC employees should be limited to local and only as needed to conduct critical business activities.
  • If grantors are requesting travel, each situation will be reviewed carefully and determined whether or not it is safe to participate.
  • If employees travel for business reasons and it is considered an active COVID-19 area, CDC guidelines for quarantining after travel will be followed. If traveling for required business reasons, the employee will be able to telecommute until the quarantine period has ended.
  • If employees travel for pleasure and it is considered an active COVID-19 area, CDC guidelines for quarantining after travel will be followed. It is highly recommended that employees plan very carefully any personal trips in order to limit potential virus exposure. MDC has an obligation to make sure employees do not potentially infect others upon their return from personal travel.

 

Daily Wellness Screens:

  • Prior to coming to work, employees should screen themselves asking the following questions:
  1. Have you been told to quarantine/isolate by a medical provider or the health department?
  2. Have you had face-to-face contact for 10 or more minutes with someone who has COVID-19?
  3. Are you feeling ill and/or experiencing any of the symptoms of COVID-19? (Symptoms include: fever, cough, shortness of breath, chills, repeated shaking with chills, headache, sore throat, new loss of taste or smell).
  4. Do I have a fever following a daily temperature check?
  5. If yes, contact your physician or the health department and STAY HOME!
  6. Notify your immediate supervisor.

 

Requirements for quarantine/isolation (according to the guidance of a medical provider or the Knox County Health Department:

  • A positive case for COVID-19; OR
  • Waiting for their results of a COVID-19 test; OR
  • A close contact of someone with COVID-19
  • Must be fever free for 72 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication or have been released from quarantine/isolation.
  • Employees should immediately report any of these circumstances to their supervisor.
  • Employee privacy for health-related matters is protected by federal law and will not be shared.

 

Common Areas:

  • Conference room will be open to a max capacity of six individuals at a time. It is still recommended that staff utilize virtual platforms for meetings.
  • All visitors and vendors prior to entry for COVID-19 symptoms with the following questions:
    • Have you been in close contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19 in the past 14 days? (Note: This does not apply to medical personnel, first responders, or other individuals who encounter COVID-19 as part of their professional or caregiving duties while wearing appropriate PPE.)
    • Are you experiencing a cough, shortness of breath or sore throat?
    • Have you had a fever in the last 48 hours?
    • Have you had new loss of taste or smell?
  • Guest must sign off on COVID-19 questions and record their temperature prior to meetings at MDC.
  • Guests must adhere to social distancing guidelines when in MDC’s building.
  • Staff meetings will continue to be held using Zoom on Monday mornings at 8:30. As we share schedules, please share any outside meetings/locations/participants with all staff to ensure the safety of all team members.

 

Outside Visitors:

  • Group meetings of six or less are permitted on premise during phase three. All visitors and vendors prior to entry for COVID-19 symptoms with the following questions:
    • Have you been in close contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19 in the past 14 days? (Note: This does not apply to medical personnel, first responders, or other individuals who encounter COVID-19 as part of their professional or caregiving duties while wearing appropriate PPE.)
    • Are you experiencing a cough, shortness of breath or sore throat?
    • Have you had a fever in the last 48 hours?
    • Have you had new loss of taste or smell?
  • Guest must wear a mask while in MDC’s building when social
  • Guest must sign off on COVID-19 questions and record their temperature prior to meetings at MDC.
  • Guests must adhere to social distancing guidelines when in MDC’s building.
  • Drop offs and deliveries can occur within the building, while practicing social distancing.
  • Outside doors will remain unlocked during normal business hours.

 

Business gatherings/meetings:

  • Virtual/telephonic meetings are preferred to continue as much as possible during this phase.
  • For large gatherings and trainings, please refer to the TN Pledge guidelines at the website given on page 1.
  • Trainings can be conducted if space allows for participants to be 6 feet apart and wear cloth face coverings. Tables and chairs should be arranged to accommodate distancing requirements. If serving food, items should be packaged separately (i.e. boxed lunches, bottled water, individual snack servings). Coffee and drinks from a single source can be used if a single, designated person pours the beverages into individual cups.
  • Not all in person meetings can be eliminated, but when meeting outside of the office follow all social distancing/safe hygiene practices, including wearing masks. Immediately wash hands thoroughly when re-entering the office.