Colleagues,
Based upon updated guidance from The Texas A&M University System and the state of Texas, Phase 2 of employee return to campus has been extended through August 31. Below is a summary update for employees. Please continue to refer to the AgriLife COVID-19 sitefor additional details.
Percentage of employees working in person to remain below 75% until August 31:
We recognize that some units will need additional personnel on campus to prepare for the beginning of the academic semester or for approved mission-critical research. Therefore, we are adjusting the maximum percentage of employees in any given physical location from 50% to 75% until further notice. These percentages are not targets that must be achieved but rather maximums that may be necessary for unit or departmental operations as the fall semester preparations continue. If what your unit is currently doing is working well and meeting your operational needs, there is no need to adjust your current practices. Your supervisor will work directly with you to plan your remote/in-person work. Criteria to help you and your supervisor determine the best path forward to continue meeting your unit’s needs can be found here.
Face covering, social distancing, meeting size and cleaning guidelines remain in effect:
As individuals return to on-site work, face coverings must be worn in our facilities’ indoor public spaces, on public transportation and wherever a six-foot social distancing radius cannot be maintained. All employees should continue to follow social distancing and meeting size requirements provided by state health authorities.
Additionally, cleaning should be made with an EPA approved cleaner. See the CDC websiteon how to carry out any deep cleaning process.
How to report COVID-19 cases:
Last week, the university released guidance for reporting COVID-19 symptoms, exposure, or a positive test. Please review the information here and report to the university’s portal. Email COVID19Process@tamu.edu with your questions. In addition, please inform Debi Fincher when a unit’s personnel test positive, have symptoms consistent with COVID-19 or take actions at their unit related to COVID-19.
Contact tracing to occur on and off main campus:
The Texas A&M Investigation and Operations Center will be handling contact tracing for the main campus as well as all off-campus locations and the regional System campuses. Contact tracing is very important for the safety of our campus communities. Your assistance will be incredibly valuable in helping our campuses continue to offer face-to-face courses. If contacted by one of the professionals at the center, please assist them and help make our communities a safer place for all.
Current travel guidelines remain in place:
Please continue to follow current protocol for travel authorization through your direct supervisor. Employees engaged in business-related and personal travel who suspect they have been exposed to SARS-CoV-2 while away from the university or agency are required to notify their supervisor and place themselves in self-quarantine for a period of time in accordance with current CDC guidance.
- Within the state of Texas, work with your supervisor and review the current community transmission of COVID-19 in locations you will travel to or through.
- Out-of-state travel must be deemed mission critical and approved by the CEO or designee in Concur. Employees traveling outside of Texas should review the CDC COVID Data Tracker prior to travel.
- No international travel is endorsed at this time.
As before, we will continue to work with the state of Texas, local health authorities and The Texas A&M University System to adjust our operational plans accordingly. We anticipate sharing additional information on the System’s plans to offer COVID-19 testing to faculty, staff and students in the coming days.
Please continue to refer to the AgriLife COVID-19 employee information page for additional information.
Stay well,
Patrick J. Stover, Ph.D.
Vice Chancellor, Texas A&M AgriLife
Dean, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
Director, Texas A&M AgriLife Research