Supervisor COVID-19 Toolkit

Pinellas County does not require vaccination.

No. In circumstances that involve an employee disclosing exposure to COVID-19, a supervisor can provide options for the employee by stating both scenarios – if vaccinated or not vaccinated – and an employee should act according to their vaccination status. We will use the honor system and do not require proof of vaccination.  

CDC guidelines for pandemic safety, staying updated on the latest recommendations, and remaining calm while diligent offer some of the best ways to protect yourself and others at work and at home. View COVID-19 for County Employees for up-to-date information and resources.

Face coverings/masks are not mandated in County government buildings. Employees are expected to continue following the CDC guidelines for pandemic safety. Please be respectful of other people’s mask and social distancing preferences. The new guidelines suggest testing in response to outbreaks or in connection with high-risk indoor activities like crowded sporting events, regardless of vaccination status. The County is electing to provide staff with N95 masks, based on availability, to ensure the highest level of protection.

Regardless of vaccination status, employees should:

• Isolate (stay home) for 5 days – Day 0 is the day employee tested or the day of symptom onset, regardless of when employee tested positive.

• If employee has no symptoms, or their symptoms are improving after 5 days, employee can leave their house and continue to wear a mask around others for 5 additional days.
• If they have a fever, continue to stay home until their fever resolves.

Regardless of vaccination status, employee should:

• Isolate from others if you do not yet have test results.
• If you test negative – You can end your isolation.
• If you test positive – Follow the full isolation recommendations above.

Quarantine of exposed persons is no longer recommended, regardless of vaccination status. Regardless of vaccination status, employee should:

• Start precautions immediately
  • Wear a high-quality mask for 10 full days as soon as they find out they were exposed.
  • Day 1 is the first full day after their last exposure to someone with COVID-19.

• If they develop symptoms
  • Isolate immediately.
  • Get tested at least 5 full days after their last exposure. Test even if they don’t develop symptoms.
  • Stay home until they know the result.
  • positive, follow the isolation recommendations.
  • If their test result is negative, continue taking precautions through day 10 and wear a high-quality mask when around others.

Stay up to date with symptoms associated with COVID-19. If they 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 they need to be tested. Here are the 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.
• Call their doctor or the Florida Department of Health (FDOH) hotline to discuss the situation and obtain medical advice. The FDOH COVID-19 Call Center is available 24/7 at (866) 779-6121 or email.
• Get tested. Visit Pinellas County Testing Locations.

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

• To maintain a level of calmness and allow correct course of action, employees are discouraged from making announcements of a possible infection to large groups of employees.
• Avoid others while still onsite.
• Do not report to work when sick and follow established call-out procedures.
• Call healthcare provider or the Florida Department of Health (FDOH) hotline to discuss your situation and obtain medical advice. The FDOH COVID-19 Call Center is available 24/7 at (866) 779-6121 or by email.
• Follow appropriate healthcare provider directions.
• Stay away from others and practice social distancing and good personal hygiene in accordance with current recommendations and healthcare provider’s instructions.
• If they need to get tested for COVID-19, Cigna will waive cost sharing (copays, coinsurance, and deductible) for COVID-19 diagnostic testing.

• Accrued Annual Leave – Continue (not required) to use the following to mark COVID-related absences:
  • AL Covid19 (when using Annual Leave for COVID-related absence or due to childcare providers being closed due to Covid-19.
  • LWOP Covid19 (when using Leave Without Pay for COVID-related absence).
• 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. NOTE: A Friend in Need Program is available for an employee who is sick or needs to care for a sick family member but NOT to an employee who needs to take care of well children due to school being closed.
• 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 (LWOP) – See Personnel Rule 4 which provides appointing authorities the ability to grant leave without pay after all forms of accumulated or gained leave have been exhausted (with noted exceptions).

No. Doctor’s notes shall not be required from employees to take leave for flu and flu-like illnesses including COVID-19. The same applies if an employee stays at home to take care of a household family member who is experiencing COVID-19, flu-like symptoms or illness.

Proof of a negative test or a doctor’s note to return to work may be required. Before allowing employees to return to the office, check with your appointing authority’s requirements as they may vary. Supervisors must be consistent in how requirements are applied across the board.