Archives for December 21, 2020

ATTENTION NJ TRANSIT EMPLOYEES

On December 18th, the FDA issued emergency use authorization for a second COVID-19 vaccine.

Frontline NJ TRANSIT employees are being prioritized by the State in the distribution of coronavirus vaccines. As such, the vaccine will likely be available first to frontline employees, followed soon afterwards by corporate employees. NJ TRANSIT plans to distribute this vaccine, to both frontline and corporate employees, as quickly as possible.

To gauge employee interest in taking a coronavirus vaccine, we have created a brief, three-minute survey, and ask ALL employees to please take this survey at: https://www.research.net/r/NJTVac. If you have any questions regarding the survey, please call the NJ TRANSIT employee hotline, staffed 24/7, at 1-888-890-0729.

NJ TRANSIT is working with the New Jersey Department of Health in preparation for the COVID-19 vaccines. Some information to keep in mind regarding Operation Warp Speed and the development and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines …

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is the regulatory authority that has oversight of the safety, effectiveness, and quality of vaccines that are used in the United States. For more information, visit the following links:

• Vaccine Development – 101.
• The Path for a COVID-19 Vaccine from Research to Emergency Use Authorization

Before making an official recommendation, the CDC, along with the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), will determine how a tiered distribution will likely be used. ACIP considered four groups to possibly recommend for early COVID-19 vaccination if supply is limited:

• Healthcare personnel;
• Workers in essential and critical industries, including NJ TRANSIT frontline employees;
• People at high risk for severe COVID-19 illness due to underlying medical conditions;
• People 65 years and older.

New Jersey’s latest COVID restriction took effect on December 7th. Gov. Phil Murphy signed Executive Order 204 on November 29, which calls for a drop in the outdoor gathering limit from 150 people to 25, among other measures.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) does not currently recommend use of face shields as a substitute for face coverings. Therefore, they may not be used to satisfy NJ TRANSIT’s face covering requirements.

All employees must immediately notify our Medical Department of any positive COVID-19 diagnosis – even if you have been working from home. For any and all COVID-19-related questions or developments, please call our COVID-19 Hotline, staffed 24/7, at 1-888-890-0729. See below for more information on return to work procedures. 

ALL COVID-19-RELATED ABSENCES – INCLUDING SCHOOL CLOSURES AND OTHER CHILDCARE ISSUES RELATED TO COVID-19 – REQUIRE AN MD-40 FORM TO RETURN TO WORK

An MD-40 form is similarly required for ANY absence from the office of 30 days or more. Here’s how to return to work after ANY COVID-19-related absence:

1. Call the NJ TRANSIT COVID-19 toll free hotline number (at 1-888-890-0729) at least three days prior to your anticipated date of return. This will allow adequate time to process your information and have any required documentation reviewed by Medical Services staff.
2. During your call, the hotline agent will review your case, make any necessary updates, and ask you to submit any additional documentation that may be required. Again, it is very important to contact the hotline BEFORE sending in any documentation. This will ensure that your documentation is attached to your case and expedite processing.
3. After calling the hotline, please tell your supervisor your anticipated date of return. This will allow time for scheduling assignments.
4. Once all required information has been received and processed, a member of the Return to Work Task Force will contact you via the phone number or email we have on file. They will notify you that your documentation has been received and reviewed, and complete your MD-40 (Work Status Form). Again: All COVID-19-related absences require an MD-40 in order to return to the workplace.
5. A copy of your MD-40 will be sent to you via email (or you will be required to pick up a hard copy from Medical Services in Maplewood). A copy will also be sent via email or fax to your supervisor or other appropriate individual, to notify them of your clearance to return to the workplace

Please remember: For any and all COVID-19-related questions, call the hotline, staffed 24/7, at 1-888-890-0729. Please do not directly contact the NJ TRANSIT Medical Services Department at the standard office numbers for any COVID-19-related matters. This will cause a delay in your case processing.

NJ TRANSIT IS COMMITTED TO WORKPLACE SAFETY

NJ TRANSIT is dedicated to a culture where safety and health are fundamental values, adopted and practiced throughout the agency. All employees have a role to play in using good judgment and adhering to safeguards. This can be done by looking out for each other to avoid injuries, illnesses, and environmental harm. When something goes wrong, almost goes wrong, or even when something just doesn’t seem safe, it is important to report these concerns.   

Individuals with specific COVID-19 safety questions or concerns are encouraged to reach out to their immediate supervisor. Dealing with safety issues through the supervisory chain of command is the preferred method; however, when this approach is unsuccessful in resolving a COVID-19-related safety issue, employees can contact the Office of System Safety with COVID-19-related concerns directly by emailing COVIDSAFETY@NJTRANSIT.com.

OSS staff will, on request, keep the name of a complainant confidential; however, in some instances, this constraint may prevent thorough investigation and resolution of a complaint.

Please see updated CDC guidance below on the definition of “close contact.”

The CDC now defines “close contact” as “someone who was within 6 feet of an infected person for a cumulative total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period* starting from two days before illness onset (or, for asymptomatic patients, two days prior to test specimen collection) until the time the patient is isolated.”

* Individual exposures added together over a 24-hour period (e.g., three 5-minute exposures for a total of 15 minutes). Data are limited, making it difficult to precisely define “close contact;” however, 15 cumulative minutes of exposure at a distance of 6 feet or less can be used as an operational definition for contact investigation. Factors to consider when defining close contact include proximity (closer distance likely increases exposure risk), the duration of exposure (longer exposure time likely increases exposure risk), whether the infected individual has symptoms (the period around onset of symptoms is associated with the highest levels of viral shedding), if the infected person was likely to generate respiratory aerosols (e.g., was coughing, singing, shouting), and other environmental factors (crowding, adequacy of ventilation, whether exposure was indoors or outdoors). Because the general public has not received training on proper selection and use of respiratory PPE, such as an N95, the determination of close contact should generally be made irrespective of whether the contact was wearing respiratory PPE.  At this time, differential determination of close contact for those using fabric face coverings is not recommended.

COVID-19 Child Care: School-Age Tuition Assistance Program

The New Jersey School-Age Tuition Assistance Program can help you pay for care for your school-age child in need of child care as a result of COVID-19 remote learning schools schedules. To be eligible for this assistance, you must be:

• a NJ resident;
• your child must be attending school remotely, either part-time or full-time; and
• your annual gross household income must be $150,000 or less.

Click here for more details.

Flexible Work Arrangements for Non-Agreement Employees Due to COVID-19-Related School Closures

Policy 3.36B became effective as of 9/22/2020, for Non-Agreement Employees. The policy outlines the guidelines for requesting flexible work arrangements in order to care for minor and dependent children (age 18 and younger) during the school year due to COVID-19 related closures and/or remote learning requirements. The policy can be found on @Transit or this link.

The Medical Services Department is still booking appointments for flu vaccines.  

Online registration is required this season. To register and schedule your appointment, click here or scan this QR code:

Not sure how to use a QR code? 

For iPhone: 

1. Open the Camera app on your iPhone.
2. Point your iPhone at the QR code to scan it.
3. Tap the pop-up notification at the top of your screen.

For Android:

1. Press and hold the home button.
2. Tap Lens. This is the circle surrounded by lines to the left of the four colored buttons at the bottom of your screen. (You may need to “Allow” if you’ve never used this feature before.)
3. Point your camera at the QR code.
4. Tap the magnifying glass icon to scan the QR code.
5. Tap the pop-up notification

This FREE benefit is available to all active NJ TRANSIT employees. EMPLOYEES MUST SHOW THEIR COMPANY ID TO OBTAIN A FLU VACCINE. 

Eligible Employees may register for any location to receive their free vaccine. All employees in a high-risk category of serious illness should get the flu vaccine either from Medical Services or by contacting their personal physician. Please consult your personal doctor BEFORE requesting a flu vaccine if you:

• Have ever had a serious allergic reaction to eggs
• Are currently taking antibiotic medication

Do NOT register for a flu vaccine if you:

• Have a cold, virus, or other illness (get the vaccine when you are better)
• Have been instructed by your personal doctor NOT to get a flu vaccine

Additional dates and locations will be added as they become available. Check back often — through the registration link above — for newly added dates, times, and locations near you.

OUT-OF-STATE TRAVEL ADVISORY UPDATES

New Jersey strongly discourages all non-essential interstate travel at this time.

Travelers and residents returning from any U.S. state or territory beyond the immediate region (New York, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, and Delaware) should self-quarantine at their home, hotel, or other temporary lodging following recommendations from the CDC:

• If travel is unavoidable, travelers should consider getting tested with a viral test (not an antibody test) 1-3 days before the trip and again 3-5 days after the trip.
• If travelers test positive, they should self-isolate for at least 10 days and should postpone travel during that time.
• If travelers test negative, they should quarantine for a full 7 days after travel.
• If testing is not available (or if the results are delayed), travelers should quarantine for 10 days after travel.

The advisory is no longer specific to certain states. Because of the rising number of case counts across all states, there is an increased risk of spread of COVID-19 upon return from any travel.

The self-quarantine is voluntary, but compliance is expected. Travelers arriving from areas with increasing COVID-19 cases may wish to postpone their travel to the region if they are unwilling or unable to follow the quarantine advisory.

Travelers and those residents who are returning from states and territories beyond the immediate region should quarantine at their home, or a hotel or other temporary lodging. Individuals should leave the place of quarantine only to seek medical care/treatment or to obtain food and other essential items.

The state asks that anyone who travels to New Jersey from a state/territory outside the immediate region (New York, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, and Delaware) complete a voluntary online survey to provide information about where you are traveling from and your destination.

Access the survey by visiting covid19.nj.gov/njtravel or texting “NJTRAVEL” to 898211.

If you choose to provide this information, it will be shared with local New Jersey Public Health authorities and other third parties when required by law. Local health departments will contact you to remind you to self-quarantine and offer assistance including information about testing locations.

Please note that this advisory does not apply to individuals:

• Who are returning to New Jersey after traveling outside of the state for less than 24 hours or those traveling to New Jersey for less than 24 hours – Even where travel is less than 24 hours, however, individuals are still discouraged from engaging in non-essential travel to other states to the extent possible.
• Who are in transit through the state to another destination, provided that the time spent in the state is only the amount of time necessary to complete the transit, make use of travel services, such as a highway rest stop, or make necessary travel connections.

For answers to commonly asked questions, refer to the Department of Health’s Frequently Asked Questions about the self-quarantine for travelers.

Essential Travel

Essential travel would include, for example:

• Individuals traveling to and from the state for work.
• Individuals traveling to and from the state for medical reasons, including individuals providing comfort and support to a patient.
• Military personnel traveling to the state by order or directive of a state or Federal military authority.
• Individuals traveling to comply with a court order, such as child custody.

Essential Personnel

Please note that NJ TRANSIT workers have been deemed critical infrastructure employees and are exempt from the quarantine recommendation. Individuals who routinely work in New Jersey and Delaware are exempt, as well. Of course, numerous people travel back and forth between New Jersey and Delaware for work each day, but are encouraged to work from home if possible. 

NJ TRANSIT employees are urged to take advantage of the COVID-19 testing provided by NJ TRANSIT, Agile Urgent Care, and Accurate Laboratories. Testing is available at the following locations:

• Agile Urgent Care Services: 20 Meadowlands Pkwy, Secaucus, NJ 07094
• Accurate Diagnostic Labs: 180 Lincoln Highway, Edison, NJ 08820
• Prompt Medical Care: 636 Easton Ave, Suite 2, BLDG 2, Somerset, New Jersey 08873
• Accurate Diagnostic Labs: 515 South Broad Street, 2nd Floor, Trenton, NJ 08611-1819
• Accurate Diagnostic Labs: 1364 Route 72 West, 1st Floor, Manahawkin, NJ 08050
• Accurate Diagnostic Labs: 9 Hospital Drive, Suite B8, Toms River, NJ 08755-6425

Registration for this service is required. You may register online at njt.agileurgentcare.com.

Please find a comprehensive list of COVID-19 testing sites in New Jersey, as of December 18. This list includes new COVID-19 testing options for NJ TRANSIT employees in north, south, and central New Jersey, as well as state and county testing sites. Private testing sites can be found via the link on the bottom of the document.

EMPLOYEE FACE COVERING DIRECTIVES

Consistent with CDC guidance, established best practices, and NJ TRANSIT’s Communicable Disease in the Workplace policy, NJ TRANSIT employees are required to wear face coverings while working at all 
NJ TRANSIT locations whenever they are likely to encounter others, except where doing so would inhibit that individual’s health. Additionally, it is the responsibility of NJ TRANSIT personnel who bring vendors/contractors on to NJ TRANSIT property to ensure that they are in compliance with this directive. Help to slow the spread of COVID-19 and do your part to protect yourself and your coworkers by wearing your face coverings.

NJ TRANSIT has purchased and secured enough cloth face coverings for all employees. Employees are not permitted to wear masks with logos other than NJ TRANSIT’s, or distracting graphics or messages. The only face coverings permitted for employees are:

• NJ TRANSIT-supplied cloth face coverings;
• Plain, patterned, or similar homemade or store-bought masks

How to get your NJ TRANSIT-supplied face covering

Supervisors throughout the agency have been asked to distribute NJ TRANSIT-supplied face coverings. Before coming into the office or work location, please talk with your supervisor to receive your  NJ TRANSIT-supplied face covering(s) if you have not received yours already.

Face covering care and maintenance

According to the manufacturer, NJ TRANSIT-supplied face coverings, pictured below, can be washed up to 100 times before being discarded. According to the CDC, cloth face coverings should be washed after each use. More information about cloth face coverings can be found via the CDC’s Web page, “Use of Cloth Face Coverings to Help Slow the Spread of COVID-19.”

Below, please find COVID-19 statistics. As with the rest of the country, NJ TRANSIT has unfortunately seen a slight uptick in positive COVID-19 cases among our employees. 150 NJ TRANSIT employees are currently positive, although we are still down significantly from a current high of 299 positive cases on April 27th. Now more than ever, we must remain vigilant – maintaining our aggressive approach to cleaning and disinfection, and, as a reminder: Face coverings remain a critical safety requirement for all employees in every
NJ TRANSIT work location.

Total U.S. Positive Cases: 17,592,760

Total New Jersey Positive Cases: 432,592

Total NJ TRANSIT Positive Cases: 996

Current NJ TRANSIT Positive Cases: 150

Current NJ TRANSIT Quarantines: 241

Total NJ TRANSIT Returned to Work: 3,908

NJ TRANSIT Current Positives and Current Quarantines Graph: 

Additional Resources

CDC COVID-19 Website

WHO COVID-19 Website

NJ COVID-19 Information Hub 

NJDOH COVID-19 Website / Hotline: 1-800-222-1222

NJ COVID-19 Website