Coronavirus Employee Updates

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.

Message from the County Administrator on Coronavirus

(March 23, 2020) Letter to St. Johns County Colleagues

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

(March 11, 2020) St. Johns County Administration continues to monitor development of the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) and is preparing for its potential impact on our County and organization. As the health and safety of our peers and coworkers remains one of our highest priorities, Administration and Personnel Services developed the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Travel and Work Policies (posted below) to help ensure our work place remains as healthy as possible.

Effective immediately, the policies will remain in place until further notice. Please review the policies, place them into practice within your department/division, and contact Personnel Services at 904.209.0635 if you have any questions. As the situation continues to evolve, we will adjust the policies as needed and share new information as soon as possible. It is recommended that all employees follow basic infection prevention guidelines including washing hands often, avoiding contact with sick people, cleaning high-touch surfaces, and staying home when sick. Should there be a confirmed case of Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) in our county or organization, local health officials will provide guidance for any necessary response.

For additional information regarding Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19), I encourage you to utilize the following informational tools: 

Thank you for your ongoing patience and understanding as we navigate this evolving situation together. If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to reach out to me personally.

Respectfully,
Hunter Conrad

St. Johns County Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Travel and Work Policies

(March 11, 2020)

  • St. Johns County employees experiencing medical symptoms associated with the flu, an upper respiratory infection, or any similar illness are advised to seek medical care and refrain from entering the workplace until the symptoms have subsided.
  • St. Johns County employees who have visited a country currently under a Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Level Three Travel Advisory are required per CDC guidelines to self-isolate and refrain from entering the workplace for 14 days from the date of return to the United States. Countries currently on the CDC Level Three Travel Advisory include:
  • China
  • Iran
  • Italy
  • South Korea

    *Subject to change based on CDC Guidelines
  • 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 (1) has recently traveled to a country currently under a CDC Level Three Travel Advisory and is showing Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) symptoms (fever, cough, difficulty breathing, and/or severe illness), or (2) has been identified as a presumptive or confirmed Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) patient.
  • St. Johns County employees required to self-isolate must utilize sick leave then vacation leave before other leave options will be considered.
  • St. Johns County employees who are ill with the flu, an upper respiratory infection, or any similar illness and are exhibiting symptoms associated with Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) should seek care from a medical professional before returning to the workplace.
  • 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.

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.

Staff Information for Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19)

(March 6, 2020) The County is monitoring development of the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19), following recommended CDC guidelines, and preparing accordingly. While there are confirmed positive cases in Florida, the majority of reported respiratory illnesses are not Coronavirus. It is recommended that all employees follow basic infection prevention guidelines including washing hands often, avoiding contact with sick people, cleaning high-touch surfaces, and staying home when sick. If you are requesting to go or stay home because you feel sick, you need to communicate with your supervisor and/or follow your standard operational chain of command for leave requests. You are urged to be vigilant and take the necessary precautions to maintain your health and the health of those around you.

For additional information, employees are encourage to utilize the following informational tools: