Coronavirus (COVID-19)

We encourage employees to take preventive measures such as staying home when sick, practicing good personal hygiene, following CDC guidelines for pandemic safety, and staying updated on the latest recommendations.

No. Face coverings/masks are not mandated in County government buildings. Employees are expected to continue following the CDC guidelines for pandemic safety.

No. Pinellas County does not require COVID vaccination.

See Find COVID-19 Vaccines.

Go to a local Pinellas County testing site or purchase an at-home test from your local pharmacy. You can use your Health Savings Accounts (HSA) or Flexible Spending Account (FSA) funds to cover test kits.

Free Kits: From now until September 30, you may get up to 8 free at-home COVID testing kits per month at your local pharmacy (go to the pharmacy counter, not the regular checkout, and show your Cigna medical card), or by mail from Express Scripts (takes up to 4 weeks). You may also submit a claim for reimbursement by logging into your Express Scripts account. Check the expiration dates before purchasing multiple kits, since they only have a shelf life of 4 to 6 months. After October 1, 2023, Express Scripts will no longer provide free tests.

For those on the County’s medical plan, Cigna covers COVID-19 vaccines, diagnostic testing, and FDA-approved antivirals and therapeutics treatment. Your regular copays, coinsurance and deductible will apply. At-home test kits are not covered.

Please talk with your supervisor. Pinellas County departments follow their usual practices for absences for COVID-19, flu, and flu-like symptoms, which may mean that excessive absences could be considered unscheduled.

Stay up to date with symptoms associated with COVID-19. If you develop symptoms such as fever, a cough, difficulty breathing, or other symptoms recognized by the CDC, consult with a healthcare provider who can determine if you need to be tested. Here are your options:

• Contact Cigna’s NurseLine 24/7 by calling (800) 862-3557, option 8.
• Talk with a Virtual Visit doctor by phone or video 24/7 at MDLive by calling (800) 862-3557, option 5.
• Get tested. Visit Pinellas County Testing Locations.
• If you have symptoms of COVID-19 and choose to not get tested, it is important to stay home. Find out what to do if you are sick.

Stay home. Also see If You are Sick or Caring for Someone Who is Sick.

See What to Do If You are Exposed.

You are considered a “contact of a contact” and do not need to quarantine. You should monitor for symptoms and continue to practice prevention strategies in accordance with CDC recommendations.

• Paid leave including annual leave, floating holidays and personal days.
• A Friend in Need (AFIN) – See Policy #12. This is a voluntary program through which an eligible employee may choose to assist eligible fellow employees in times of need by permitting person-to-person leave donation as defined within the policy.
• Administrative leave with pay – See Personnel Rule 4 which provides Appointing Authorities the ability to grant administrative leave with pay if such leave is in the best interests of the organization.
• Leave without pay – See Personnel Rule 4 which provides the option of leave without pay after all forms of accumulated or gained leave have been exhausted (with noted exceptions).

An employee with COVID may be eligible. Contact UnitedHealthcare at (866) 556-8298 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. M-F, or by email.

FMLA provides up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave to care for employees or their immediate family member for a covered illness. If an employee is taking care of a dependent with COVID, they may be eligible for FMLA. Contact UnitedHealthcare at (866) 556-8298 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. M-F, or by email.

Emotional well-being resources are offered through the Employee Assistance Program and the Wellness Program. Contact the Wellness team for more information at (727) 464-3367 option 1, or email.