Archives for May 2020
NJ TRANSIT Health Advisory (COVID-19)
COVID-19 Update #14
5/1/2020
ATTENTION EMPLOYEES: As you may know, NJ TRANSIT will soon offer access to COVID-19 testing for all employees. Please be aware that registration for this service does not open until 8 a.m. on Sunday, May 3rd. At that time, you may register online at https://njt.agileurgentcare.com/s/login/?language=en_US&startURL=%2Fs%2F&ec=302 . This website will not be available until 8 a.m. on Sunday, May 3rd.
ATTENTION EMPLOYEES: All COVID-19-related absences require an MD-40 form – provided by NJ TRANSIT Medical Services – in order to return to the workplace. A medical professional’s note alone is not sufficient.
COVID-19 U.S. Statistics At A Glance, As of May 1, 2020
Total Cases: 1,062,446 (30,787 new cases*)
Total Deaths: 62,406 (2,349 new deaths*)
* Compared to yesterday’s data.
COVID-19 New Jersey Statistics At A Glance, As of 1 p.m. May 1, 2020
Total Positives: 121,190
Total Negatives: 135,355
Total Deaths: 7,538
COVID-19 NJ TRANSIT Statistics At A Glance, As of 10 p.m. April 30, 2020
Total Positives: 435
Current Quarantines: 916
Returned to Work: 1097
CDC Updates
- CDC recommends wearing cloth face coverings in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain (e.g., grocery stores and pharmacies) especially in areas of significant community-based transmission. Learn to make your own cloth mask at https://youtu.be/tPx1yqvJgf4.The cloth face coverings recommended are not surgical masks or N-95 respirators. Those are critical supplies that must continue to be reserved for healthcare workers and other medical first responders, as recommended by current CDC guidance.FAQs regarding cloth face coverings: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/cloth-face-cover-faq.html.
- CDC Guidance Regarding Cleaning And Disinfecting Your Home: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/downloads/disinfecting-your-home.pdf
The NJ TRANSIT COVID-19 Hotline toll free number is 1-888-890-0729.
For any and all COVID-19-related questions, please call the NJ TRANSIT COVID-19 Hotline. It is staffed 24/7. Please do not contact NJT Medical Services at the regular department number for any COVID-19 related matters.
Steps to Reporting a COVID-19 Related Absence:
Call the Hotline to open a case. This ensures accurate reporting and payroll processing.
- Submit documentation AFTER opening your case with the Hotline. This will ensure your documentation is attached to your case.
- Keep Medical Services aware of your situation by calling the Hotline with any updates or changes.
Steps to Return to Work after a COVID-19 Related Absence:
- Call the Hotline at least three days prior to your anticipated date of return.
- Submit any additional documentation that is required for your clearance AFTER calling the hotline to begin your return to work Processing.
- Contact your supervisor to advise them of your anticipated date of return.
- Medical Services will complete your MD-40 (Work Status Form) once all required information and documentation is received and provide you with a copy.
- Provide your supervisor with a copy of your MD-40.
As Information
- Governor Murphy Signs Executive Order 133 Reopening State Parks and Golf Courses: https://covid19.nj.gov/faqs/announcements/all-announcements/governor-murphy-signs-executive-order-reopening-state-parks-and-golf-courses#direct-link.
- NJ 2-1-1 is live. Residents can also text NJCOVID to 898-211 to receive text information and stay informed. To receive live text assistance, residents can text their zip code to 898-211. This will increase call capacity and reduce wait time.
- The New Jersey Department of Health released guidance on the definitions of “close contact” and “casual contact” as it relates to a confirmed or suspected case of COVID-19: https://www.nj.gov/health/cd/documents/topics/NCOV/COVID19_Guidance%20_Contacts_Case.pdf
Additional Resources
· Centers for Disease Control and Prevention COVID-19 Web Page: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
· World Health Organization COVID-19 Web Page: https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019
· NJ Department of Health Communicable Disease Service COVID-19 Web Page: https://nj.gov/health/cd/topics/ncov.shtml / Hotline: (1-800-222-1222)
· NJ COVID-19 Website: https://covid19.nj.gov
Benefits Open Enrollment
Individual letters will be mailed so you can register for an email address
Dear Rail Agreement Employee:
Open Enrollment begins May 11, 2020 and ends on May 29, 2020. This is your opportunity to review your current benefit elections, enroll and/or make changes. Elections are effective July 1, 2020 – June 30, 2021, unless you have a change in status or experience a qualifying life event – such as marriage, divorce, or birth or adoption of a child. Remember – If you experience a qualifying event, you must contact the Employee Benefits Department within 31 calendar days of the date of the event to enroll a dependent or wait until the next open enrollment period.
During open enrollment, you can do one or more of the following:
- Enroll (if not currently enrolled)
- Add/Remove dependents (birth certificate & social security card is required for each dependent child as well as marriage or civil union certificate and the first page of Federal Tax Form 1040 with financial information redacted/masked to add a spouse/partner)*
- Change Plans
- Waive Coverage
You must now make your Open Enrollment elections from any internet-connected computer or device!
All you need is your NJ Transit Email Address and Network/ID Password. Visit https://openenrollment.njtransit.com
Following are the Medical and Dental employee contribution rates which will be reflective on the first paycheck in July. Both ESI prescription coverage and EyeMed vision coverage are included when medical coverage is elected.
Please send new dependent supporting documentation via email or fax to Nate Pearson by the open enrollment end date, May 29, 2020 (no exceptions). Email: NPearson@NJTransit.com; Fax: 973-609-1798.
If you have any questions about benefits, please contact Nate at 973-378-6033.
NJ TRANSIT Employee Benefits Department
