COVID-19 Procedures

Protocols When Entering the Worksite

• Do not enter the worksite if you have tested positive for COVID-19 or have symptoms of COVID-19.
• Sign-in upon entering and exiting the worksite. Daily COVID screening is no longer required.
• Program Participants must complete the Assumption of Risk/Waiver Form.
• Masks/Face Coverings. Effective June 10, 2022, the Tompkins County Health Department (TCHD) has suspended the mask advisory. Staff and anyone entering our offices are no longer required to wear a mask. It is optional for those who chose to wear one.
• Employees are required to adhere to Tompkins County Health Department (TCHD) and NYS guidelines, policies and procedures at all times.

COVID-19 Requirements

• As of 4/7/22, the Board rescinded the Vaccination, Testing, and Face Covering Policy in order to allow us to more closely follow COVID-19 recommendations from the Tompkins County and NYS Health Department. Check the Tompkins County Health Department for the most recent requirements related to COVID-19.
• Vaccination. COVID-19 vaccination is now optional at CCE Tompkins, and employees are no longer required to submit their vaccination status. We encourage employees to get their COVID-19 vaccination and booster shots. In accordance with NYS Law, employees are still entitled to paid leave for COVID-19 vaccinations, including booster shots. You may take up to 4 hours per vaccine injection as paid time. Please enter this time off as "COVID-19 Time Not Worked." More details of NYS Paid COVID-19 Vaccination Leave.
• Testing. Employees are no longer required to test weekly if they are unvaccinated. Employees may need to test if they believe they have COVID-19; please see the Tompkins County Health Department Isolation and Quarantine guidelines for more details. 
• Medical Removal from the Workplace & Return to Work Criteria. Employees must promptly notify supervisor and HR if they are COVID-19 positive. Employees who can work from home will do so during their quarantine. Employees unable to work from home will be provided with up to 14 days COVID-19 paid sick leave in accordance with NYS Law. Return-to-work criteria are determined by the NYS and Tompkins County Health Departments’ Isolation and Quarantine guidelines. See NYS COVID-19 Paid Sick Leave Fact Sheet for additional details.

Physical Distancing

• While indoors, maintain 6 feet physical distance when possible.

Indoor Programming

• Conference rooms A and C can be used for programs with non-staff personnel only if a staff member or seasoned volunteer is present. Room capacity is listed in parentheses next to the room name in the Room Reservation System.
• Kitchen (Room B). Staff can reserve the kitchen for food-related programming and should make requests at cce.kitchens@cornell.edu. Room capacity is listed in parentheses next to the room name in the Room Reservation System..
• A staff member or a seasoned volunteer must be present to host the program indoors.
• Mask wearing is optional..
• Rooms must be reserved through the Room Reservation System, adhering to the maximum capacity listed in the system. Room capacities will increase upon completion of the ventilation upgrades.
• After school youth programs will continue to adhere to the School District and TCHD guidance.

Outdoor Programming

• Garden Area. There are 4 picnic tables in the Garden Area under the Kiwi Arbor. Feel free to move them around when needed but return them under the Kiwi Arbor once you’re done. If you’re having a meeting with 8 or more people in the Garden Area, do reserve that space in the Room Reservation System. Garden Area is in Rooms section of the Room Reservation System along with conference rooms (room A, C) and the kitchen (room B). When reserving the space, put your name and number of people - e.g. Karen (10).
• Outdoor Programming at 4-H Acres may have specific guidelines. Contact your supervisor for questions.
• After school youth programs will continue to adhere to the School District and TCHD guidance.

Off-Site Programming

• Offsite Work Guidelines are located at, O:\Administration & Operations\Covid19 Response\Reopening Safety Plan\Offsite Work guidelines_final
• Contact your off-site partner about their safety protocols. When at their location, follow their protocols. Discuss any concerns with your supervisor.

What if I test positive, have symptoms, or have been exposed to COVID-19?

• Notify promptly:
  • As promptly as possible, notify your supervisor and HR (Tompkins-HR@cornell.edu). Do not enter the workplace.
  • If you have tested positive for COVID-19, email your Health Department Quarantine Order or Self-Affirmation Form to Tompkins-HR@cornell.edu.
• Determine whether quarantine is required:
  • Consult with your supervisor & HR to determine whether quarantine is required. See the Return-to-work criteria below for details.
• During quarantine:
  • If you are able to work remotely, continue to work remotely.
  • If you are unable to work remotely, you will be placed on up to 14 days paid COVID-19 sick leave. Non-exempt hourly staff should enter their time in Workday as “CCE Hours Not Worked - COVID-19” and note “COVID-19 paid sick leave”.
  • You may be contacted by CCETC staff for contact tracing. Please cooperate with contract tracing efforts.
• Return-to-work criteria:
  • You may return to work when you test negative for COVID-19 OR when you meet the return-to-work criteria in the Isolation and Quarantine Guidance provided by the NYS Department of Health and Tompkins County Health Department.
  • This guidance changes frequently; please check the Department of Health site and consult with HR for up-to-date details.
  • If an employee has severe COVID-19 or an immune disease, CCE Tompkins will follow the guidance of a licensed healthcare provider regarding return to work.

FAQ

What are the CDC’s recommendations for wearing masks outdoors during the COVID-19 pandemic?

Masks are currently optional outdoors (e.g., participating in outdoor play, recess, and physical education activities). CDC recommends people who are not fully vaccinated wear a mask in crowded outdoor settings or during activities that involve sustained close contact with other people. Nov 5, 2021 ( https://www.cdc.gov). After school youth programs will continue to adhere by TCHD guidance.

What is happening with the installation of the ventilation system on the 1st floor and Ag/Env area at Willow Ave?

SureTemp is the company CCE Tompkins contracted with to upgrade the ventilation system. At this time there is a delay in receiving the materials required for this upgrade, hence this delay has impacted the work being started. As of January 24, 2022 SureTemp informed CCE Tompkins the expected arrival date of the materials will be February 22, 2022.

Is CCE Tompkins Willow Ave location open to the public?

CCE Tompkins main education center at Willow Ave remains closed to the public.

Am I still required to complete the Daily COVID-19 Screening Survey?

No, the daily screening is no longer required. However, you must still sign in and out of the building.

How do I test for COVID-19?

Contact your healthcare provider for guidance or go to Tompkins County Health Department’s website at https://tompkinscountyny.gov/health

Do I need to show a negative COVID-19 test result to enter the office?

Only if you are not fully vaccinated (in which case you will need to show a negative test once every seven days per the policy). If you have questions about returning to work after you tested positive, consult the  Tompkins County Health Department Isolation and Quarantine Guidelines.

How do I know the maximum capacity of each area?

The Room Reservation System has the maximum number of people in parentheses next to the name of the room. This system is to be used to schedule the time you plan to occupy a room. If you are meeting with a large group of 8 or more people in the Garden Area, reserve the space in the Room Reservation System.

How do these protocols apply if I am volunteering with CCE Tompkins?

Volunteers: The first day you are volunteering please  read the CCETC Reopening Safety Plan and sign the Assumption of Risk document and give it to the staff person you are working with.Each day you are volunteering at CCETC or with a CCETC staff person, please do one of the following: 1) Print, complete and bring to CCETC this survey 2) Find a printed copy of the survey in the vestibule of our Willow Ave Education Center and complete it, or 3) Fill out the survey online. The staff person you are working with will let you know what to do with the completed paper survey.

Additional COVID-19 Resources

Extensive resources and organizational information for all staff!

Employee rights under the  New York State COVID-19 Paid Sick Leave

NYS Reopening Safety Plan for CCE-Tompkins

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

• Contact by phone: 1-800-252-4555
• Access online at www.theeap.com. Note that you will need to register to create a profile. Use "Cornell Cooperative Extension of Tompkins County" as the organization name. 

Last updated September 11, 2023