COVID-19 Update #41

UP-TO-DATE COVID-RELATED INFO 

• CDC Info on Variants of the Virus that Causes COVID-19
• Key Things to Know About COVID-19 Vaccines, from the CDC
• U.S. COVID-19 Cases Caused by Variants
• The Latest Info on the CDC’s Recommendation to Pause Use of Johnson & Johnson’s COVID-19 Vaccine
• The Latest Edition of Vax Matters, from the NJDOH
• Frequently Asked Questions About the COVID-19 Vaccine, from the CDC
• CDC Guidance for Fully Vaccinated People (KEY EXCEPTS BELOW)

Guidance for fully vaccinated people with COVID-19 symptoms

Although the risk that fully vaccinated people could become infected with COVID-19 is low, any fully vaccinated person who experiences symptoms consistent with COVID-19 should isolate themselves from others, be clinically evaluated for COVID-19, and tested for SARS-CoV-2 if indicated. The symptomatic fully vaccinated person should inform their healthcare provider of their vaccination status at the time of presentation to care.

Guidance for fully vaccinated people with no COVID-like symptoms following an exposure

Fully vaccinated people with no COVID-like symptoms do not need to quarantine or be tested following an exposure to someone with suspected or confirmed COVID-19, as their risk of infection is low.

Fully vaccinated people who do not quarantine should still monitor for symptoms of COVID-19 for 14 days following an exposure. If they experience symptoms, they should isolate themselves from others, be clinically evaluated for COVID-19, including SARS-CoV-2 testing, if indicated, and inform their health care provider of their vaccination status at the time of presentation to care.

Guidance for fully vaccinated employees of non-healthcare congregate settings and other high-density workplaces

Fully vaccinated employees of non-healthcare congregate settings and other high-density workplaces (like many of NJ TRANSIT’S workplaces) with no COVID-like symptoms do not need to quarantine following an exposure; however testing following an exposure and through routine workplace screening programs (if present) is still recommended.

BELOW IS A COMPREHENSIVE LIST OF OPTIONS FOR NJ TRANSIT EMPLOYEES

TO RECEIVE A COVID-19 VACCINE

OPTION 1

NJ TRANSIT-PROVIDED VACCINES

If you would like to register for a Moderna vaccine through NJ TRANSIT, please use Chrome, Firefox, Microsoft Edge, Safari or a mobile device and visit: https://booknow.appointment-plus.com/cxyvqev6/

You can also use the following QR code:

If no appointments are available, please check back regularly at the link above. Appointments will be added as the vaccine becomes available.

ALSO: If you make an appointment but subsequently need to cancel, please be considerate of your fellow employee and cancel your appointment. To cancel, please see your confirmation e-mail and click the link that provides cancellation instructions. This will allow your slot to open up for other employees.

OPTION 2

NEW COVID VACCINE OPTIONS AVAILABLE TO ALL NJ TRANSIT EMPLOYEES

Through our partnership with the NJ Office of Emergency Management and the NJ Department of Health, NJ TRANSIT is pleased to announce two additional options for employees to schedule COVID-19 vaccination appointments.

1. Atlantic County Mega Site
   AC Convention Center
   1 Convention Blvd., Atlantic City  08401
   
   Click the following link to register: https://vaccination.atlanticare.org
2. Bergen County Mega Site
   Meadowlands Complex
   50 NJ-120, East Rutherford  07073  (Lot M)
   
   Click the following link to register: https://www.hackensackmeridianhealth.org/covid19/

OPTION 3

UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL PARTNERSHIP

NJ TRANSIT has also partnered with University Hospital to offer vaccination appointments for ALL NJ TRANSIT employees. You must use the following two-step verification process in order for University Hospital to verify that you are an active NJ TRANSIT employee:

• Using your NJ TRANSIT e-mail address, e-mail University Hospital at NJTransit@uhnj.org. In your e-mail, indicate your interest in the program and include your NJ TRANSIT ID number and your preferred telephone number.
• University Hospital staff will then call you directly to review information and set up your appointment.

You will need to show your government-issued photo ID and your insurance card at your appointment. However, you will not bear any out-of-pocket expenses to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.

OPTION 4

Employees may also make an appointment for vaccination through New Jersey’s COVID-19 Vaccine Scheduling System or at a State- or county-approved site.

The full list of vaccination sites in the State, broken down by county, can be found here.

ATTENTION NJ TRANSIT NON-AGREEMENT EMPLOYEES:

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED TO HELP WITH NJ TRANSIT COVID-19 VACCINE CLINICS

NJ TRANSIT continues to administer doses of the COVID-19 vaccine at our clinics located at GOB and Camden. We are looking for non-agreement volunteers to provide administrative support to our medical team at these clinics.

You do not need any medical experience to volunteer, but being able to help with administrative tasks such as scheduling and directing employees is a plus. 

There are many opportunities to volunteer through the end of April.

If you would like to volunteer, click on the link below and select all your preferred open shifts. Enter the required information and then click on submit.  Be sure to enter your NJ TRANSIT email address and your cell phone number (not home or work number). Once you click on submit, you’ll receive a confirmation email from signupgenius.com. If you previously emailed Anna Aloyo to sign up for a shift, you do not need to sign up again unless you would like to register for additional shifts.

Sign up link:  https://www.signupgenius.com/go/NJT_Vaccine_Clinic_Staffing

Note: If you don’t see a confirmation email from SignUpGenius.com within 30 minutes of registering, please check your spam or junk mail inbox. Also, SignUpGenius registration may not work fully using desktop Safari browsers.

If you have any questions or difficulties registering for a shift, contact Sarah McGinley (smcginley@njtransit.com) or Shondra Neumeister (sneumeister@njtransit.com).

Volunteers will receive additional information from Medical Services closer to the selected clinic dates. Your assistance is greatly appreciated, and you will be providing an invaluable service for your fellow employees.

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 April 12. 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

NJ TRANSIT Corporate Policy 3.36A requires NJ TRANSIT employees 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. Employees should report non-compliance to their managers for resolution.  

Employees should also familiarize themselves with Corporate Policy 3.16, regarding the process on employee discipline for non-compliance with NJ TRANSIT Policies.

Additionally, it is the responsibility of NJ TRANSIT personnel who bring vendors or contractors on to NJ TRANSIT property to ensure that they are in compliance with Corporate Policy 3.36A. 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 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.”

Important Email Addresses During COVID-19

• COVIDSAFETY@NJTRANSIT.com: For specific COVID-19 safety questions or concerns.
• CVTASKFORCE@NJTRANSIT.com: For NJ TRANSIT employees who wish to bring contractors, vendors, or essential visitors into Headquarters, GOB, and the administrative offices at Newton Avenue in Camden, or who have questions with non-medical COVID-19-related issues, questions, or concerns related to non-employees only.
• SafetyHotline@NJTRANSIT.COM: To report workplace safety issues, questions, or concerns, unrelated to COVID-19.

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.

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 via this link.

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.

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.