Coronavirus Employee Updates

County COVID-19 Exposure Guidance & Response Planning

As COVID-19 continues to impact our workforce and operations it is important to use County guidelines when handling employee exposures. It is imperative that each department manage the County's safe work practices effectively to keep our workforce healthy. Self-screening, handwashing, proper social distancing, and disinfecting of surfaces must be reinforced as the virus continues to impact our community. Virtual and telephonic meetings are still being encouraged and business travel outside the county is still restricted.

Take the time to review the County's Infectious Disease Preparedness and COVID-19 Response Plan and your Department's own specific plan. Our team has provided a general response overview to assist in developing your department's safety strategy. Each of your locations, functions, and workforce are diverse, therefore every Department should develop their own specific plan for employee safety per the Governor DeSantis' Plan for Florida's Recovery. If more detailed guidelines or any assistance is needed, please contact Risk Management to discuss your needs and concerns, 827-6886.

County Employee COVID-19 Exposure Guidance & Response Plan

Employee Leave Related to COVID-19

Families First Coronavirus Response Act Employee Paid Leave Rights (FFCRA)
(Updated July 15, 2020) The Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) requires certain employers to provide employees with paid sick or family leave for specified reasons related to COVID-19. The Department of Labor’s (Department) Wage and Hour Division (WHD) administers and enforces the new law’s paid leave requirements. Pursuant to Section 3105 and Section 5102 of the FFCRA, some positions have been identified as Emergency Responders and are exempt. However, the County is providing paid leave for Emergency Responders under the County’s Family and Medical Leave Expansion and Emergency Paid Sick Leave Policy Regarding COVID-19. Both of these provisions will apply from the effective date through December 31, 2020.

COVID-19 Compassionate Leave Amendment
(March 27, 2020) In response to COVID-19, County Administration has temporarily amended the Compassionate Leave Policy. Visit the Compassionate Leave page for more information.

First Responder & Health Care Worker Child Care

(May 15, 2020) Florida Dept. of Education and Early Learning are prioritizing child care for first responders and health care workers regardless of income. The Florida Department of Education’s Office of Early Learning along with local early learning coalitions throughout the state are prioritizing child care for first responders and health care workers. Child care services for these personnel will be provided regardless of income. Please contact your local early learning coalition or human resources department for more information.

Travel and Work Policies

(March 16, 2020) We recognize that our workforce is being impacted by the rapidly changing response efforts to the COVID-19 virus. As State and federal officials provide more guidance on protective measures, the County is evaluating possible impacts to employees and our operations.  In an effort to protect you, our greatest asset, and keep our workplace healthy, the County has issued revisions to the COVID-19 Travel and Work Policies - Revised. These changes reflect expanded travel guidelines as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and includes additional restrictions on business travel. If you have questions contact your supervisor or Personnel Services at 904.209.0635, option 0.

You are encouraged to utilize the following informational tools for more information:

Adopted: March 11, 2020
Revised: March 16, 2020

St. Johns County COVID-19 Travel and Work Policies

  • St. Johns County employees who have been diagnosed by a medical professional with COVID-19 shall not return to the workplace until cleared by Florida Department of Health.
  • St. Johns County employees exhibiting symptoms associated with Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) shall seek medical care and refrain from entering the workplace until the symptoms have subsided.
  • St. Johns County employees who have visited any country outside of the United States or have taken a cruise are required to self-isolate and refrain from entering the workplace for 14 days from the date of return to the United States.
  • St. Johns County employees are required to self-isolate and refrain from entering the workplace for 14 days from the last date of exposure to someone who has been identified as a presumptive or confirmed Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) patient. Fire Rescue personnel exposed while performing emergency response and/or patient care will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis in accordance with Centers for Disease Control (CDC) exposure criteria when utilizing recommended Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
  • St. Johns County employees required to self-isolate are required to use accrued leave unless preempted by the State or Federal Laws.
  • Business travel to locations with confirmed cases of Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) is restricted, including cities and counties within Florida and all other states. All other travel for County business should be limited, unless authorized by the County Administrator.

As the details and developments related to Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) are rapidly and continually evolving, all components of this policy are subject to change in order to reflect current circumstances and CDC and Florida Department of Health guidelines.

Message from the County Administrator on Coronavirus