Remember Penn State Health COVID-19 policies, guidelines this holiday season

To safeguard the health of Penn State Health’s patients and employees, staff must strictly adhere to COVID-19 policies and guidelines throughout the holiday season and into the new year.

COVID-19 infections in central Pennsylvania and among Penn State Health patients have increased significantly during the past several weeks. The number of patients with COVID-19 in Penn State Health’s acute care hospitals has nearly doubled—from 91 to 193—during the past four weeks.

Participation in the Penn State Health WELL pay program—which ensures employees who contract COVID-19 on the job continue to receive a paycheck―requires full compliance with the following policies:

• Travel and Quarantine Policy. Review before traveling internationally.
• Meeting, Training and Gathering guidelines. To ensure safety of all attendees, meetings, training events and other gatherings should remain virtual whenever possible.
• Personal protective equipment:
  • Eye protection guidelines. Employees who work in clinical areas with direct patient care interactions must wear health system-provided eye protection in addition to the required facemask. See Eye Protection During Patient Care FAQs.
  • Mask guidelines. All employees must wear a face covering while on Penn State Health campuses, regardless of physical distance. If a person is alone in a workspace with a closed door, they may remove their mask. Other guidelines:
    • COVID Cloth Mask Guidelines
    • COVID N95 Mask guidance
    • COVID Procedural/Surgical Mask guidance

Vaccination remains crucial

Penn State Health leadership urges employees who have not yet gotten vaccinated to get their first dose:

• Schedule a first-dose appointment through Employee Health.
• Visit vaccines.gov to schedule an appointment at a local pharmacy or grocery store.

Fully vaccinated staff are encouraged to get a COVID-19 booster shot when they are eligible:

• Schedule a booster shot through Employee Health.
• Visit vaccines.gov to schedule an appointment at a local pharmacy or grocery store.

Support for employees:

• For general questions about COVID-19 policies and procedures, email askaCOVIDq@pennstatehealth.psu.edu.
• Penn State Health’s employee assistance program, administered by ComPsych/Guidance Resources, provides free, confidential assistance to employees. Call 866-465-8935 or visit ComPsych. To view the ComPsych/Guidance Resources Coronavirus toolkit, visit Coronavirus U.S. Digital Toolkit.