UGA  outlines plans with campus sidelined by COVID

The University of Georgia updates its plans for University staffers, some of whom continue to work on campus, while others are working from home. Campus classes are closed for the rest of UGA’s spring semester, as students are now taking classes on-line.

From the University of Georgia…

Governor Brian P. Kemp has issued a new Executive Order regarding COVID-19 and the Public Health Emergency. Among other things, the Executive Order supersedes local ordinances and implements a statewide shelter-in-place directive. The provisions of the Order become effective at 6 p.m. on April 3 and will remain in effect through the end of April 13. The full text of the Order can be found at: https://gov.georgia.gov/executive-action/executive-orders/2020-executive-orders.

The Order’s shelter-in-place directive has several exceptions, one of which is for individuals who are part of the workforce for “Critical Infrastructure” and are actively engaged in the performance of, or travel to and from, their employment. Because the University of Georgia is considered Critical Infrastructure as defined by the Order, we can continue to engage in distance learning and other essential functions, and our faculty, staff, and students are permitted to travel as necessary for those purposes.

Therefore, if you are designated an essential employee by your unit, the Executive Order allows you to travel as necessary to perform your job duties. While you are not required to carry documentation that you are an essential employee, we recommend you travel with your UGA identification.

Employees should continue to follow direction from their units as to their designation as an essential employee. Employees who must work on campus should practice social distancing, and no groups of 10 or more should gather at any time.

When conducting essential in-person operations, the Order requires the University to implement certain measures to mitigate exposure and spread of COVID-19. These 16 measures, listed on the 5th and 6th pages of the Executive Order in the section concerning "Critical Infrastructure," include screening and evaluation of workers exhibiting signs of illness; directing workers who exhibit symptoms not to report to work; and other safety, sanitation, and social distancing measures. Therefore, if you are experiencing symptoms of illness, including fever, cough, or shortness of breath, you should not report to work; instead, you should seek medical attention and notify your supervisor of your inability to report to work. If you experience symptoms of illness while at work, you should immediately report to your supervisor that you need to leave work to seek medical attention.

We have no higher priority than the health and safety of our faculty, staff, and students, and we continue to encourage all members of our community to follow guidance from medical professionals and public health authorities.

Thank you for all you do for UGA.