STLCC Safe Return Plan

People with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms reported – ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. Anyone can have mild to severe symptoms. People with these symptoms may have COVID-19:

• Fever or chills
• Cough
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Fatigue
• Muscle or body aches
• Headache
• New loss of taste or smell
• Sore throat
• Congestion or runny nose
• Nausea or vomiting
• Diarrhea

Please check the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Symptoms of Coronavirus webpage regularly for a current list of symptoms.

Some conditions place individuals at a higher risk:

• High blood pressure
• Chronic lung disease
• Diabetes
• Severe obesity
• Asthma
• Compromised immune systems
• Those age 65 and older

Vulnerable individuals may also include those who live with or care for anyone who is elderly or anyone who has an underlying health condition. If you meet the above criteria or have concerns about returning to work during the COVID-19 pandemic, you may speak with your immediate supervisor and/or Human Resources about possible options.

As of July 26, STLCC requires masks to be worn indoors for all employees, students and visitors at all times indoors at any STLCC facility, unless the employee or student has a documented medical reason they cannot wear a face covering. Employees should contact Human Resources if an accommodation is needed.

The mask, or face covering, must be worn properly and must cover both the nose and mouth.

Use of personal face coverings is allowed, and the College will provide individuals face coverings available through supervisors. The campus bookstores have face coverings available for purchase. Disposable face coverings for visitors are available at reception areas. Individuals without face coverings will be required to leave the facility.

Use of N95 respirators may be dangerous for individuals with heart and respiratory diseases and should not be used without prior medical clearance and the appropriate training.

For more information concerning the use and care of face coverings, see the following resources from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:

• Use of Cloth Face Coverings to Help Slow the Spread of COVID-19
• Important Information About Your Cloth Face Coverings

Employees are expected to frequently and thoroughly wash their hands and regularly disinfect personal workspaces, disinfecting supplies are available. Effective hand-washing means using soap and water for at least 20 seconds. When soap and water are unavailable, hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol is recommended. Another best practice is to avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth, and to wash hands after touching your face or sneezing.

Housekeeping staff and other designated individuals should regularly disinfect shared surfaces, such as light switches, door handles, counter surfaces, shared equipment and areas such as break rooms, restrooms and elevators. If you notice an area that needs immediate attention, contact STLCC Facilities at 314-984-7979 or fixit@stlcc.edu.

To best limit the spread of COVID-19, follow social distancing guidelines whenever possible. Since individuals can spread the virus before they know they are sick, it is important to stay away from others, even if you are symptom-free. This means maintaining a physical distance of 6 feet from others and avoiding group gatherings. 

Some work activities will require additional personal protective equipment (PPE). The College has developed a number of specific protocols to reduce the risk of transmitting the virus. If necessary to perform your job, these protocols, the required PPE, and training in proper use of required PPE will be provided. Please check with your supervisor if you are unsure if new protocols have been implemented.

Many in-person meetings may continue to be replaced with virtual meetings. If virtual meetings are not possible, face coverings and physical distancing will be required as noted above. This may require alternate room configurations depending on the size of the meeting.

Social distancing is encouraged in all common areas to the extent possible. Hand sanitizer and surface cleaning products will be available in all common areas, and face coverings and social distancing are required.

Elevators will continue to be limited to 2-3 individuals at a time depending on size. Notices will be posted at each elevator to inform users of this limit.

Use of restrooms should be limited based on size to ensure at least 6 feet distance between individuals. Wash your hands thoroughly afterward to reduce the potential transmission of the virus.

Individuals should wipe down commonly used surfaces before and after use with STLCC-provided products that meet the Environmental Protection Agency’s criteria for use against COVID-19 and are appropriate for the surface. Disinfectant will be supplied. This includes any shared space locations or equipment (e.g. copiers, printers, computers, A/V and other electrical equipment, coffee makers, desks and tables, light switches, doorknobs, etc.).

For students and employees eating lunch or taking a break while at an STLCC location, the following protocols must be followed. The safest location to eat your lunch or take a break is outside.

• Unvaccinated individuals must maintain a distance of at least 6 feet from others at all times while eating. You are only permitted to eat lunch at your desk if social distancing can be maintained.
• Should unvaccinated people choose to eat with others, it is recommended that they eat with the same individuals each day to reduce the risk of spreading the virus.
• Unvaccinated individuals must wear masks when not eating or drinking.
  Be sure to wash your hands prior to eating and clean/disinfect any areas before and after eating where possible.

In addition to the cafeteria, each location will have designated spaces for dining. Check with your supervisor and/or campus leadership for help identifying alternate locations for dining. Students can stop by the Campus Vice President for Student Affairs’ Office or a Campus Life Office to learn more.

Any containers, food, and waste generated from eating lunch on campus should be either taken home or placed in the appropriate trash receptacle. Dishes and silverware may not be left in common-area sinks.

Individual break rooms where common refrigerators and microwaves are placed may not be used as a dining space. This equipment may be used if proper hand-washing and sanitation is followed at all times.

• Microwave interiors, handles, and buttons should be cleaned before and after each use.
• Refrigerator handles should be cleaned after touching.
• Food may not be stored for multiple days in the refrigerator; rather, it may only be used to keep items cold for the day they will be consumed (with the exception of personal refrigerators).

Vendors and visitors are not allowed in workspaces. Those making deliveries should be directed to the mail room or loading docks and are not permitted to deliver directly to departments or individuals.