To:   Transportation Employees

From:  Albert Samora, Executive Director of Transportation Services

Date:   October 26, 2020

RE:  COVID-19 Updates

MASKS AND GROUPS OF FIVE

I would like to thank those of you who are taking our precautions to slow the spread of COVID-19 seriously. The rules aren’t arbitrary, they’re meant to keep us all safe at work. Some of the rules even come straight from Denver Mayor Michael Hancock.

As you might have heard, Mayor Hancock increased his mask mandate and reduced the number of people allowed to gather socially. You now have to wear a face mask even when outside. This means when you’re working in the lot or taking a break in the lot, you still need to make sure you are wearing your face covering. Mayor Hancock also reduced the amount of people who can socially gather from 10 people to five people. This means if you are on a break, socializing, or in public spaces, you need to remain in groups of no more than five people. This tougher mask mandate and reduced gathering order will remain in effect until at least November 16th. You can read all about the mayor’s orders by clicking here.

 

WHAT IF I HAVE COVID-19?

First and foremost, don’t come to work if you are sick. If you start to develop COVID-19 symptoms, you need to tell your manager ASAP. You will then need to get tested. You can get a free COVID-19 test through DPS. Please click here to learn more about the testing process. 

Once you have the results of your test, you need to call or email your manager immediately. If you test positive for COVID-19, then your manager will need to immediately begin contact tracking. This means they will find everyone who might possibly have been exposed to the virus, including staff and students. Finding people who might have been exposed is critical in keeping us all safe. If you don’t tell us you’ve tested positive or have had symptoms, then we risk the virus spreading throughout the terminals and schools.

 

BEEN IN CONTACT WITH SOMEONE WHO HAS COVID-19?

If you know that you have been exposed to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19, then you will need to quarantine for 14 days. You will need to reach out to your manager as soon as you know the person has tested positive. Your HR partner and supervisor will determine the next steps.

 

SAFE ACCESS QUESTIONNAIRE

I want to thank those of you who have diligently filled out the Safe Access questionnaire every single day you have reported to your worksite. Keeping track of who comes in and out of our buildings is a key step to slowing the spread of COVID-19. It will help us perform contact tracking should someone who has been in our buildings test positive.

Please go over the following reminders when it comes to the Safe Access questionnaire:

• You only need to fill it out if you are reporting to a worksite. If you are staying home sick, are on vacation or are just not entering a building, then you do not need to fill it out.
• You need to fill it out for every DPS building you enter, including schools. For instance, if you go to your terminal and then go into a school for whatever reason, you would need to fill out the Safe Access questionnaire twice.
• You only need to fill out the questionnaire BEFORE YOU ENTER the building, not when you leave at the end of your shift.
• If you don’t have access to a computer/phone/tablet to fill out the questionnaire, please tell your supervisor. They can help make sure you’re able to fill it out for every shift.

 

HOW IS MANAGEMENT KEEPING ME SAFE?

Transportation personnel are disinfecting main work areas throughout each day. Facility team members are wiping down doors and handles every day. We’ve also placed hand sanitizing stations around the terminals. Please use them.

We’re also working to install new VioSafe lights on the buses. These lights are designed to kill viruses, including COVID-19 and the flu. Here are some benefits of these new VioSafe lights:

• Provides continuous disinfection of bacteria on high-touch surfaces
• Dramatically reduces contamination while providing white light illumination that’s safe for humans and animals
• Proven to kill germs
• Integrates with existing overhead fixtures

Please stay tuned for more information about these new VioSafe lights, including how to operate them.

 

I want to thank you for carefully reading this document. If you have any questions or concerns, please email transportation@dpsk12.org. 

 

Thank you,

 

Albert Samora

Executive Director of Transportation Services

Transportation@dpsk12.org