This week marks the one year anniversary of the first COVID vaccine. Approximately 59% of people have been fully vaccinated, and anyone over the age of 5 years old is able to be vaccinated. If you have not been vaccinated, please consider doing so. The vaccine does not guarantee that you will not get COVID, but if you get COVID, your chances of becoming severely ill are dramatically reduced.

With the holidays upon us, the spread of illness is on the rise as people gather indoors. Please continue to follow guidance from the CDC to keep you and your loved ones safe.

The CDC has kept its holiday guidance short and sweet this year. It recommends:

• Vaccines for all who are eligible 
• Wearing a mask in public indoor settings
• Avoiding crowded, poorly ventilated spaces
• Not attending or hosting gatherings when ill

The Shippers Group continues to closely follow the spread of COVID, its variants, and the impact of the disease on our operations. Our COVID task force meets regularly to update on the status and share information so that leadership can respond to keep our associates at every facility safe.

 

 

Taking Action

This is the latest list of actions we are taking to ensure communication to all stakeholders:

• If you do not feel well, STAY HOME. Call your manager and let them know you are experiencing signs of COVID-19.
• Remember to SOCIAL DISTANCE yourself from other coworkers. Notify management if you feel this is not occurring at your site.
• If you're unvaccinated, wear your protective MASK, SCARF, OR BANDANA always. Be sure to cover your mouth and nose.
• Wash your hands and sanitize several times a day. Especially after touching hard surfaces.
• Disinfect your work areas. If you need supplies to clean your equipment, desk, or any other surface, let management know immediately.
• Masks are no longer mandatory if you are vaccinated.
• Track and trace is required on all events. Save documents in COVID-19 folder at site.
• Restrict visitors to scheduled visits only.
• Reassess social distancing at the site, especially in common areas near time clocks, restrooms, and break rooms.
• Continue disinfecting all areas, especially common areas such as time clocks, bathrooms, lunchrooms, desks, computers, tables, door knobs/handles, light switches, etc.
• Ensure sanitization stations are operational and filled at all times.
• Evaluate COVID-19 Task Force Cleaning Crews/Order PPE

Symptoms, Testing, and Quarantine Protocols:

• Positive for COVID-19 with symptoms:
  • Quarantine for 10 days from date symptoms appeared/onset
  • Negative test required to return to work (exception: Dallas county)
    
    
• COVID-19 symptoms but not tested (feeling sick):
  • Quarantine for 7 days
  • Negative test required to return to work (exception: Dallas county)
    
    
• Close contact with a person who is positive for COVID-19 (no symptoms):
  • Fully vaccinated:
    • After day 7 AND receiving a negative test may return, or
    • After 10 days without testing and no symptoms
  • Non vaccinated:
    • Quarantine for 14 days.
    • If no symptoms after 7 days may return with negative test (exception: Dallas county), or
    • After 10 days without testing and no symptoms
      
      

Have a Joyful and Safe Holiday Season!

We are #3PLStrong. We are essential. We are TSG. View COVID-19 Resources

MASKS ARE NO LONGER REQUIRED IF YOU ARE VACCINATED. Unvaccinated associates and visitors are required to wear a mask. Vaccination status is on the honor system.

If you have any questions about our COVID-19 response efforts, please contact Diane Villafana, VP of Human Resources and Safety Compliance.