Safety Protocols

Guidance Overview

Starting August 6, 2021, the college requires all individuals, regardless of their vaccination status, to wear a CDC-recommended type of mask that covers the nose and mouth when inside a college building. This update to the college’s safety protocols was based on revised CDC guidance, issued due to new findings about the COVID-19 variant.

Anyone not wearing a mask indoors will not be allowed to remain on campus, unless they have received an exception, in writing, or unless they meet the conditions listed in the “Masks may be temporarily removed” section below. 

• Students, employees, contractors and visitors to campus should provide their own CDC-recommended type of masks. Information about masks, including how to properly wear them, clean them, and make them at home may be found on the CDC website.  
• Anyone who does not have a mask or forgets to bring one to campus may pick up a disposable mask from the college’s security desks located in the Nicholas Center (Chester Campus) or the Administration Building (Midlothian Campus). 
• Masks must cover the nose and mouth.  
• In on-campus learning labs, the lab’s safety guidelines must be followed. If cloth masks pose a safety hazard or do not provide sufficient protection for those learning and working in these settings, then other safety equipment for the face should be used during performance-based activities in labs. Instructors will provide students with guidance on the rules that apply to their specific lab setting. 

Masks may be temporarily removed:

• While actively eating or drinking  
• When communicating with a person who is hearing impaired and for which the mouth needs to be visible 
• By employees or students when alone and in an office or enclosed space that has a door
• By faculty when teaching face-to-face, as long as a minimum of seven feet is maintained between the faculty member and their students 

Exceptions to wearing a face covering/mask - In certain circumstances, the college may grant an individual who is unvaccinated or not fully vaccinated an exception to wearing a mask on campus. These include:  

• An individual has a health condition in which a face covering would pose a danger.  
• An individual is performing a job in which a face covering would impair their ability to safely work.  
• Requesting an exception - Before coming to campus, individuals seeking to receive an exception under one of these circumstances must submit their request, in writing, to the appropriate department for review. Additional documentation may be required for the review.  
  • Employees, including CCWA employees and CCWA contractors who work on Tyler's campuses: Must submit their request to their supervisor and to Human Resources to be reviewed. Human Resources will determine whether the exception will be granted and will provide the final decision to the requestor in writing. 
  • Students, including those enrolled in CCWA courses being held on Tyler's campuses: Must submit their request to the Dean of Students Office to be reviewed. The Dean of Students Office will provide the final decision to the requestor in writing.
  • Contractors and visitors: Must submit their request to Human Resources to be reviewed. Human Resources will provide the final decision to the requestor in writing.

The college encourages COVID-19 vaccines for all employees, students, and visitors to campus.

Employees

On August 5, Virginia Governor Ralph Northam issued Executive Directive #18 (ED #18), which requires all state employees and state contractors to disclose their COVID-19 vaccination status. This mandate applies to all Executive Branch employees, including Institutions of Higher Education. It includes employees who are at-will, classified, wage, faculty, adjunct faculty, student workers, work study students, volunteers, interns, and other salaried employees, whether they work on campus or telework. ED #18 also applies to newly hired or transferred employees from other state agencies.  Employees who fail to disclose their vaccination status according to ED #18 will be subject to disciplinary action up to including termination of employment.

Communications sent to college employees outline the steps for disclosing vaccination information.

Employees who are fully vaccinated:

• An employee is considered fully vaccinated 2 weeks after their second dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccines or 2 weeks after the single-dose Johnson & Johnson’s (J&J) COVID-19 vaccine. 
• Employees who are fully vaccinated must provide support documentation as part of their disclosure.
• The college’s Human Resources Office will review information submitted and will notify the employee, by email, if their submission is approved or if more information is needed.
• Once final approval is given, no further action is needed from the employee.

Employees who are not fully vaccinated, not vaccinated, refused to disclose, or seek an exemption:

• Employees who work onsite or who are engaged in public facing job duties and who disclose they are not fully vaccinated or are not vaccinated; refuse to disclose their vaccination status; or seek an exemption from vaccination must undergo weekly COVID-19 testing and report the results to the college’s Human Resources Office.
• The costs of tests for employees will be paid by the college, and tests must be taken during time that has been approved each week by the employee’s manager.
• Employees requiring testing will be notified by Human Resources of ED 18’s COVID testing requirements and of the college’s specific testing requirements and testing procedures.  They will also be asked to sign an acknowledgement form indicating receipt of testing guidance and procedures.  
• Employees who test negative each week will be permitted to work. Employees who test positive for COVID-19 should follow the guidance as established by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) and their individual medical providers. In the event of a positive test result, employees will receive additional guidance from Human Resources as needed on matters such as leave and return to campus protocols.
• Unvaccinated employees must also wear a mask that covers their nose and mouth while onsite or engaged in public facing meetings, even when the current Virginia Community College System-wide masking mandate announced by Chancellor on August 4 is lifted.

Non-compliance:

An employee’s failure to comply with ED # 18, including refusal to report their vaccination status or refusal to participate in weekly COVID-19 testing when required will be considered a safety violation and may result in formal disciplinary action up to including termination.

Students

COVID-19 vaccinations are encouraged but not required for students.  In general, students will not be asked to provide proof of a vaccine or to provide information about their vaccination status in order to be on campus. Exceptions include:

• As part of the Governor’s Executive Directive # 18, the college’s student workers and work-study students must disclose their vaccination status and follow the protocols outlined in the above Employee section and communicated to them.
• In cases where the college’s Dean of Students Office must follow-up on confirmed or possible COVID-19 cases, individuals may be asked whether they’ve received a vaccine and if so, when. This is because CDC guidance for possible COVID-19 exposures is different for those who are fully vaccinated than for those who are not.

Any vaccination information provided to the Dean of Students Office or Human Resources Office will be confidential.

Under current CDC and VDH guidelines, individuals who are fully vaccinated do not need to practice social distancing. Individuals who are not vaccinated should try to practice distancing when possible.

Plexiglass barriers have been installed and/or table-top barriers are in use in high-traffic areas service areas where face-to-face interactions need to frequently occur.

The college follows CDC guidelines and disinfects frequently touched surfaces and high traffic areas. Cleaning supplies are also available for faculty and staff to use in their work areas and are available for in classrooms for use by students and instructors. In addition, hand-sanitizer dispensers have been placed throughout the college. 

Anyone who plans to come to campus should perform a self-health check before arriving at the college and should not come to campus if they have symptoms of COVID-19.

The CDC provides a self-health screening app.  

The CDC states some individuals may be at a higher risk for complications for COVID-19, and individuals in these higher risk categories may need to take extra precautions.  A list of these risks may be found on the CDC website.

The college does not prohibit individuals with any of these conditions from coming to campus, but individuals who are at high risk are strongly encouraged to make arrangements to minimize the amount of time spent on campus.  

Students: Online class options are being offered, as well as remote access to the college’s student services.  

Employees: Employees may contact Human Resources to discuss the possibility of an alternative work arrangement. 

Do not come to campus if you: 

• Are ill 
• Have symptoms consistent with COVID-19 
• Have been tested for COVID-19 and are awaiting results 
• Have recently been diagnosed with COVID-19 
• Have been exposed to someone who has COVID-19 

If you meet any of the above criteria, regardless of vaccination status: 

• Students, including those enrolled in CCWA courses taught on Tyler's campuses, should contact the Dean of Students Office for guidance, and contact your instructor(s).  
• Employees, including CCWA employees and CCWA contractors who work on Tyler's campuses; visitors; and contractors should contact Human Resources for guidance. Employees should also contact their supervisor. 

If you become ill or symptoms consistent with COVID-19 develop while you are on campus, leave campus and contact the Dean of Students (students, including those who take CCWA courses on Tyler's campuses) or Human Resources (employees, including CCWA employees and CCWA contractors who work on Tyler's campuses; contractors; or visitors). 

If you have been on one of Tyler’s campuses and find out you’ve been diagnosed with COVID-19 or have been exposed to COVID-19, regardless of vaccination status: 

• Seek medical guidance, and do not come to campus. 
• Students, including students in CCWA courses taught on Tyler's campuses, should contact the Dean of Students Office. Employees, including CCWA employees and CCWA contractors who work on Tyler's campuses; contractors; and visitors should contact Human Resources. 

In the event of a confirmed case of COVID-19 on one of Tyler’s campuses: 

• The college will contact the local health department. 
• The college will follow the guidance given by public health officials and will coordinate its response with health officials. 
• At the health department’s request, the college will provide documentation and information that can be used to assist health officials with contact-tracing efforts. 
• Communications to those who may have been exposed to COVID-19 will be coordinated with public health officials. If it is determined Tyler staff will need to assist with these notifications:
  • The Dean of Students Office will notify students. 
  • The Human Resources Office will notify employees, contractors, or campus visitors. 
• The college will work with public health officials to determine if any rooms, buildings or campus need to be closed. If impacted areas are occupied at the time of this determination, the areas will be evacuated and closed down. 
• Tyler will follow CDC guidelines for disinfecting any impacted areas. 
• Tyler will provide information to the college community on its website. Additional communications methods may be used based on the situation.  
• The name of the infected individual will not be released.  

Signs and decals on campus; the college website, emails, Tyler’s social media sites, and other communication methods will be used to share information related to college operations during the COVID-19 pandemic and to provide information about health and safety and steps people can take to protect themselves against COVID-19. 

All contractors visiting and working at Tyler’s campuses must follow the above safety protocols, as well as:

• Check in with security at the primary security desks upon arriving on campus (Chester Campus – Nicholas Center; Midlothian Campus – Administration Building).
• Follow the college’s current mask guidelines as posted on building entrances.
• Review https://jtcc.edu/about/covid-19/safety-protocols/ for any updated information on the college’s safety protocols.
• Make contact with your contract representative or your point of contact to meet you in the lobby of the primary security desk of the respective campus. 
• Remain in the general proximity of your work area or intended destination while on campus.
• Sign out upon completion of the visit or assigned work (you will be escorted to the primary security desk to sign out).