Essential Personnel

COVID-19 Testing for Essential Personnel

As part of Governor Cuomo's testing initiative, all essential personnel are entitled to COVID-19 testing. To pre-screen and register for testing, click the link below.

COVID-19 Testing

Scope

The NYS on PAUSE Executive Order was issued on March 22, 2020 amid ongoing Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, restricting all non-essential, in-person workforce and other operations through May 15, 2020. Personnel providing essential services to maintain safety, sanitation, of the campus, performing essential construction, or supporting other essential operations may need to come to campus. This guidance covers but is not limited to the following personnel and is to be followed to prevent and slow the spread of COVID-19 in the workplace:

Public safety officer
Locksmiths
Stationary engineers
Food pantry staff
Custodial assistants
Environmental health and safety staff
ITS technicians
Child care staff
Laborers
Exterminators
Mail Room and Central Routing staff

Accessing Campus

Essential Designation

The college will review CUNY policy and NYS Empire State Development Guidance on Executive Order 202.6 to identify and designate personnel considered essential. This is an evolving situation and depends on guidance from local and state health officials. Personnel identified as essential include the following:

Tier 1: Immediate and Unrestricted Access (Campus Safety, EHS) = Green Key = "24 hour"

Tier 2: Critical infrastructure and utilities maintenance and repair personnel required to safety and essential services. Service personnel required to support Tier 1 = Orange Key = Can access campus after-hours (evening shifts)

Tier 3: Less than daily but non-emergency access who maintain critical research resources (e.g., lab equipment, research animals and materials) = Purple Key = Daytime access only

Access is limited and granted by Public Safety.
Students, staff, and faculty must present a Brooklyn College ID card. Digital ID (from the BC Navigator App) is preferred. Visit the BC Navigator page for more information.
Access will be only be permitted through a limited number of staffed gates. Verify list of gates and hours on the Brooklyn College website.
Any non-Tier 1 or Tier 2 personnel requiring campus access, must request authorization from their supervisor and departmental Vice President. Such incidental access requires individuals to sign in at the respective security gate, including name, contact information, and destination.

Use of Face Coverings

Face coverings are required to be worn while on campus, with few exceptions.

The college will provide all essential staff with at least one disposable mask per week or reusable face covering regardless of their level of interactions with the public or frequency of reporting to work.
Face coverings include cloth (e.g. hand sewn, quick cut, bandana), surgical masks, N95s, and face shields.
Essential/critical workers are required to wear provided face coverings when in direct contact (within six feet or less) with members of the public, except where doing so would inhibit or otherwise impair their health. Consult with your supervisor or Human Resources regarding accommodations.
Essential/critical workers are allowed to use their own face coverings, including more protective coverings (e.g. surgical masks, N-95 respirators, or face shields) if already in possession of such equipment.

Further information regarding face coverings is available on our Face Coverings FAQ page.

Working Safely on Campus

In addition to following general guidance for on-campus staff, including good hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette:

CDC recommends essential/critical workers take temperature and assess symptoms prior to starting work.
Do not share headsets or other objects that are near mouth or nose.
Increase the frequency of cleaning commonly touched surfaces.
Where possible, request an increase ventilation in room.
Stagger breaks. Don't congregate in the break or locker room, and don't share food, utensils, towels, or other supplies.
If you start to feel unwell, contact your supervisor or call Public Safety at extension 5511.
Routinely occupied areas will be serviced regularly by custodial staff. Servicing of infrequently visited offices, labs, or other work areas must be requested on an as-needed basis.
In the event of an accident or a medical emergency, call for help immediately at extension 5444.

Guidance for Supervisors

Take weekly inventory of face coverings on hand, report to EHS on Fridays along with a request for additional supplies needed for the following week.
Issue face covering and guidance to each essential/critical worker.
Issue two reusable face coverings per employee for rotation throughout week/by shift. Alternatively, issue one disposable surgical mask per week. Due to current supply shortages, disposable masks are to be reused for up to one week unless soiled to the point they are no longer usable.
Establish a log to record date, time and name of person a mask was issued to.
Advise essential/critical worker who reports having had exposure to a person suspected or confirmed to have COVID-19, particularly a household member, to stay home for 14 days after last exposure.
Should worker become symptomatic while at work or within two days of being at work, compile information on contacts during the time they had symptoms and two days prior to symptoms. Work with EHS and HR to notify contacts.

Special Consideration for Campus Access by Visitors/Contractors

Campus access is authorized pending adherence to safe work practices, including use of face coverings when in direct contact with the public. This is true for contractors, vendors, or other authorized employee requiring intermittent access.
Supervisors shall provide a face covering if contractor, vendor, or authorized employee requires one.