sPHENIX is a new detector at RHIC.

["Steinberg, Peter" <steinberg AT bnl.gov>]

Dear sPHENIX -

We agreed in the last sPHENIX GM that the sPHENIX visitors office (SVO) would make sure the sPHENIX community is kept up to date on the changing COVID protocols at BNL.

Thus, I am forwarding the change in BNL masking policies that went out last night, basically reinstating masking on site - but please read the full email to get the whole picture.

We are working to set up an official SVO page to centralize this information, but in the meantime we’ll keep sending the emails as we get them.

Best,

Peter, for the SVO

Begin forwarded message:

From: BNL Media & Communications Office <pubaf AT bnl.gov>

Subject: COVID-19 Community Level Increased to High on 6/30: Face Coverings and Additional Controls Required On Site

Date: June 30, 2022 at 7:22:57 PM EDT

To: <broadcast-l AT lists.bnl.gov>

NOTE: The following message is being sent to the Lab community on behalf of Jack Anderson, Deputy Director for Operations. Note to supervisors: Please print or post a copy of this message for employees who do not have access to email.

* * *

COVID-19 Community Level Increased to High on 6/30: Face Coverings and Additional Controls Required On Site

On Thursday, June 30, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)-designated Community Level of COVID-19 in Suffolk County was changed from "Medium" to "High." This was done in response to the weekly case rate moving above 200 cases per 100,000 people, and weekly new hospital admissions of confirmed COVID-19 cases per 100,000 people exceeding 10.0. These are two of the triggers the CDC has set for raising the Community Level, along with hospital inpatient bed usage.

This change in status quickly follows upon the change from "High" to "Medium," and the relaxation of some controls on site, announced last week. We recognize these changes can be frustrating for employees, and we remain hopeful that this recent rise in cases will be short-lived. Your continued support of these controls is greatly appreciated.

As a result of this change – and in line with Brookhaven's workplace safety and re-entry plan (https://www.bnl.gov/covid19/docs/workplace-safety-and-reentry-plan.pdf, VPN may be required) – the Lab is re-instituting controls in the following areas, effective immediately:

- Face coverings are required on the Brookhaven Lab site and within Lab buildings, regardless of a person's vaccination status.

- Face coverings must be worn in all government vehicles when occupied by more than one person.

- Face coverings may be removed by individuals only when in office spaces with floor-to-ceiling walls and fully closed doors. They may also be removed by individuals outdoors, as long as social distancing (greater than 6 feet) is maintained.

- Everyone on site must also maintain six feet of distance from co-workers, except when alone in an area separated by floor-to-ceiling walls with the door closed, or during intermittent eating and drinking. Our recent trends have shown a notable increase in close contacts related to cases of COVID-19 reported by Lab employees.

- When the nature of the physical work requires individuals to be within six feet in order to conduct the work safely, appropriate work planning and face coverings are required.

- The Deputy Director for Operations must approve any Lab-hosted in-person workshops or conferences with more than 50 attendees. All attendees – visitors as well as Brookhaven Science Associates (BSA) employees – for any in-person, Brookhaven Lab-hosted workshop or conference must provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken within the three days prior to site entry. In addition to lab or pharmacy testing, home tests will be considered acceptable for proof of a negative test (evidence can include a photograph of the negative test result). Workshop/conference hosts will be responsible for checking the testing status of attendees. The Occupational Medicine Clinic (OMC) will also continue to offer voluntary testing for Lab employees on site.

- Large internal (i.e., BSA employees) meetings of more than 50 persons are discontinued.

In addition, the following controls will remain in place:

- Unvaccinated employees must continue to participate in mandatory weekly COVID-19 testing at OMC. The OMC will contact these individuals with details on testing times.

- Please stay home if you have a fever or are experiencing any COVID 19-related symptoms, and take common-sense precautions to keep yourselves and your colleagues safe as COVID numbers rise.

If you are coming to the Lab site, please remember to bring a face covering. If you forget, your Environment, Safety & Health representative will have a limited supply on hand.

When entering the Lab site, please remember to lower your car window at the guard booth so the officer can see your face. The officer may ask you to lower your face covering for a moment if you are already wearing one.

Employees are encouraged to stay up to date on available COVID-19 boosters. In accordance with CDC and U.S. Department of Energy guidance, employees who are not up to date (fully vaccinated plus at least one booster shot) are subject to quarantine if they are identified as a close contact of a COVID-19 case.

Learn more about the Lab's "Protocols for COVID-19 Exposures and Cases": https://www.bnl.gov/covid19/exposure-protocol.php.

Our primary concern continues to be the health and safety of everyone on site. We will keep employees informed about any additional changes to COVID-19 controls.

If you have any questions, please contact me at Ext. 7474.

- Jack Anderson
Deputy Director for Operations

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 Brookhaven National Laboratory                www.bnl.gov
 Media & Communications Office        Phone: (631)344-8158
 Bldg. 400 - P.O. Box 5000              Fax: (631)344-3368
 Upton, NY 11973
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