1 Draft

COVID-19 Restart Plan

Environment, Operations, and Physical Plant Committee

Submitted May 18, 2020

2 Draft

Table of Contents

Executive Summary

COVID-19 Overview

WKU Response

Introduction

Scope

Planning Assumptions

Projected Timelines

Safeguarding the Campus Environment

Required Actions of All Persons While on Campus

Public Gatherings / Events

COVID-19 Testing

COVID-19 on Campus: Response and Case Management

Conclusion

References

Appendix

3 Draft

Executive Summary

Inthecomingweeksandmonths,astheCOVID-19pandemicstabilizesandstay-at-homerestrictionsarelifted,WKUwillpreparethecampusforaplannedreturntofullmissionfunctionswiththescheduledFall2020semester.TherestorationofoperationswilloccurinphasesbasedondirectivesfromtheOfficeoftheGovernorandtheoperationalneedsoftheUniversity.TheEnvironment,Operations,andPhysicalPlantCommitteefocusesonthecampusenvironment,includingcampusfacilitiesandinfrastructure,andassociatedsupportandbusinessoperations.ThisreportprovidesrecommendationsforreducingtheriskofspreadingCOVID-19forWKUfaculty,staff,students,andvisitorsusingbothengineeringandadministrativecontrolmethodsinconjunctionwiththeuniversaluseofpersonalprotectiveequipment(PPE).

COVID-19 Overview

COVID-19isahighlycontagiouscoronavirusfirstidentifiedinWuhan,Chinainlate2019.Commonsymptomsofinfectionarelikethefluandincludehighfever,shortnessofbreathandgeneralfatigue.Complicationsfromthediseasecanbesevereincludingfataloutcomes,especiallytothosewithunderlyinghealthconditionsortheelderly.

Thevirusspreadseasilybetweenpeopleinclosecontacttoeachotherbydropletsformedandexhaledwhilebreathing.Aninfectedpersonmayspreadthevirusregardlessofiftheyexperiencesymptomsofthedisease.

WKU Response

InearlyJanuary2020,WKUstafffromStudyAbroadandGlobalLearning(SAGL)begantrackingareportedvirusaffectingaportionofChina.Twoimmediateconcernswereidentified:WKUstudentswhowereU.S.citizenswerestudyinginChina,andstudentswhoareChinesenationalswerereturningtoWKUtocontinuetheiracademicendeavors.

OnJanuary27,2020,aportionoftheEmergencyOperationsCenter(EOC)wasactivated.Acrossfunctionalteamwasassembledtoassessthepotentialthreatofthevirusanddevelopplansforneededactions.Intheweeksthatfollowed,SAGLsuccessfullyrepatriatedU.S.students,firstfromChinaandprogressivelyfromothercountriesasthevirusadvancedglobally.

4 Draft

ByearlyMarch,aftertheviruscausedwidespreadillnessandfatalitiesonmultiplecontinents,theWorldHealthOrganizationdeclaredaglobalpandemic.CasesroserapidlyintheU.S.,particularlyalongtheeastandwestcoastsandindenselypopulatedcitiesandlong-termcarefacilities.KentuckyGovernorAndyBesheardeclaredastateofemergencyonMarch6th,whenthefirstconfirmedcaseappearedinnorthernKentucky.

Withevidenceoftherapidlyspreadingvirus,WKUPresidentTimothyCaboniactivatedtheEmergencyManagementPolicyGroupanddirectedafullactivationoftheEmergencyOperationsCenteronMarch11th.ThePlanningSection,includingmembersofthePolicyGroupandJointInformationCenter,developedresponseoptionswhichwerereviewedandactedonbythePolicyGroup.SpringBreakwasextendedbyoneweektoavoidtheriskofreturninginfectedstudentstocampusandallclassesweretransitionedtoalternative,onlineinstruction.UltimatelythePolicyGroupextendedalternativeteachingmethodsforthebalanceoftheSpring2020semester.

Theactionstakenwerenecessaryandprovedsuccessfulinreducingtherisktostudents,faculty,andstaff.Whiletheoverallimplicationsoftheseactionsarestillbeingassessed,theyappearconsistentwithotherhighereducationinstitutionsacrosstheglobe.

TheEOCandPolicyGroupremainfocusedontheresponsephaseofthiscrisisand,throughtheeffortsoffourstrategicplanningcommittees,aredevelopingacomprehensiveplantodrivetheuniversity’stransitionthroughtherecoveryphasetorestoreoperations.

Introduction

Committee Charge

TheEnvironment,Operations,andPhysicalPlantCommitteeisoneoffourstrategicplanningcommitteescommissionedbyPresidentTimothyCaboni.ChairedbyMr.BryanRussell,ChiefFacilitiesOfficer,thecommitteeiscomposedofselectedkeyleaders,professionalstaff,andmembersoftheWKUBoardofRegents.ThecommitteeischargedwithdevelopingacomprehensiveroadmapforthesaferesumptionofoperationsatWKU.Asthenameimplies,thecommitteeisfocusedonrequirementsforthereadinessoffacilitiesandtheestablishmentofoperationalelementstomaintainasafeandhealthycampusenvironment.

Committee Members

BryanRussell-ChiefFacilitiesOfficer/CommitteeChair

5 Draft

GregArbuckle-InterimDean,OgdenCollegeofScienceandEngineering

KenBranch-DirectorofFacilitiesManagement

DavidBrinkley-StaffRegent,StaffSenate

LanaKunkel-AssociateDirector,HousingandResidenceLife

MikeLoftis-Chair,StaffSenate

JasonMcKinney-ViceChair,BoardofRegents

DavidOliver-Director,EnvironmentalHealthandSafety

MikeReagle-AssistantVicePresident,HousingandResidenceLife

BobSkipper-DirectorofMediaRelations

LauraTomlin-AssistantDirector,EnvironmentalHealthandSafety

JenniferTougas-InterimAssociateVicePresidentBusinessServices

Guiding Principles

TheoverridingpriorityofthisplanistoassurethattheUniversitycanoperateandfulfillitscriticalmissionofdeliveringanexceptionalhighereducationexperiencewhilesafeguardingthehealthandwell-beingofstudents,faculty,staff,andthecommunitiesinwhichwereside.

Theproposedsolutionspreparedandpresentedbythiscommitteearebasedonavarietyofapplicablepolicies,guidancedocuments,andbestpracticesfromacrosshighereducation,business,industry,andotherpublicsectoroperationalareas.Theselectionofsolutionsisbasedonthehierarchyofcontrolsprinciple,withanemphasisonfindingabalancebetweeneffectiveness,practicality,andsustainability.

ThiscommitteeischargedwithprovidingspecificrecommendationsrequiredtopreparetheUniversityforagraduatedreturntofulloperationalcapacityfortheFall2020semester.Whiletheprinciplesoutlinedinthisplanareapplicabletomultipleoperationallevels,thedynamicnatureoftheCOVID-19crisismayrequirechangestothisplanandassociatedpractices,procedures,orpolicies.

Scope

6 Draft

ThisplanisapplicabletoalloperationalareasoftheUniversity,includingregionalcampuses,farmoperations,theCenterforResearchandDevelopment,andotherpropertyholdings.TheprinciplesdetailedinthisreportalsoapplytoUniversitycontrolledfunctionsconductedawayfromthemaincampus.

Exceptionstorequirementsoutlinedinthisdocumentrequireaspecificalternateoperationsplanthatmeetsallgovernmentalrequirementsinplaceatthetime,andapprovaloftheUniversity’sPresident’sCabinet.

Planning Assumptions

CompliancewiththespecificdirectivesorderedbytheGovernoroftheCommonwealthofKentuckyonMay11,2020forreopening,titled“HealthyatWork”,willserveasthebaselineforourrecommendations.TheremaybeadditionalmeasuresthatwillbeincludedthatareinthebestinterestoftheUniversityandgreatercommunity.Inallcasesrecommendationsmustmeetthreevalidationcriteria:

• Complywiththeapplicablegovernmentalmandates• Demonstrateprescribedmitigationmethodsforthedefinedrisks• Allowfortheoperationofcriticalfunctionsinlinewiththemissionofthe

universityItmustbenotedthattheCOVID-19Pandemicisrapidlyevolving,includingadvancesintheoverallknowledgeofthevirusitself,transmissioncharacteristics,symptoms,treatments,testing,andothereffectivecountermeasures.AllplansandproceduresrelatedtoCOVID-19mustbeperiodicallyrevisitedandmodifiedtoaddresssignificantshiftsinregulations,bestpractices,orlocalconditions.

Projected Timeline

Inthecomingweeksandmonths,astheCOVID-19pandemicstabilizesandstay-at-homerestrictionsarelifted,WKUwillpreparecampusforaplannedreturntofullmissionfunctionswiththescheduledfall2020semester.TherestorationofoperationswilloccurinphasesbasedondirectivesfromtheOfficeoftheGovernorandtheoperationalneedsoftheUniversity.

Thetimelineoutlinedbelowisbasedonthepremisethatvirusrelatedconditionsandregulatoryclimatewillallowareturntotheprescribedlevelofoperationsateach

7 Draft

milestone.GiventhefluidityoftheCOVID-19spreadandgovernmentalresponse,thetimingofeachphasemayrequiremodification.

Current Conditions: Essential Operations

• Acquiringneededsupplies.• Essentialpersonnelandcontractorsmaintainminimaloperations,perform

maintenance,andrequiredrenovations.• Criticalinfrastructureandcapitalconstructionprojectscontinue• Mostemployeesareworkingfromhome,includingvulnerablepopulations.• Mostresidencehallsareclosed.Fewerthan50studentsremainoncampus.• Minimaldiningfacilitiesareavailabletosupportcampusresidents.Plansare

developedforadditionalcampusresidentsinJune.• Buildingsandofficesremainclosedtothepublic.Plansaredevelopedforadditional

supportofficestoopeninJune.• Instructionisdeliveredwhollyon-line.• Noeventsorathleticactivities.

June 2020: Limited Operations:

• Selectivereturnofstudents,suchasstudentathletesandothers,asapprovedbythePresident’scabinetforspecificacademicfunctionsorathletictraining.

• Residenceanddininghallsareopenforcriticalneedsonly.Athletesstayindesignatedresidencehallswithhotelstylehousing.

• Limitedreopeningofofficesasrequiredtosupportneedforexpandedstudentservices.

• InitialreturnofleadershippersonnelandexpandedstaffingtosupportadditionaloperationsandservicesavailablethatfallwithinStaterequirements.

• Mostbuildingsandofficesremainclosedtothepublic.Teleworkcontinuesformoststaff,facultyandvulnerablepopulations.

• Plansaredevelopedtomeet“HealthyatWork”requirementsforphysicalbarriersandroomoccupancylevelsacrosscampus,includingclassrooms,publicfacingofficesandcampusretailoperations.

• Instructioncontinuesonline.• Noevents

July 2020: Expanded Operations

8 Draft

• Campuspreparationscontinueforinpersoninstruction.• COVID19safetyeducationalcampaignsforthecampuscommunityarefinalized.• “HealthyatWork”plansforphysicalbarriersandroomoccupancylevelsare

implementedacrosscampus.Physicalbarriersandsocialdistancingsignsandmarkersareinstalled.

• Instructioncontinuesonline.• Teleworkcontinuesformoststaffandvulnerablepopulations.• Selectpublicofficesandcampusretailoperationsopenforbusiness.

August 2020: Return to Full Operations

• Returnoffaculty,staffandstudentsandopeningofallresidencehallsforresumptionofface-to-faceinstruction.

• Instructionisprovidedinahigh-flexenvironmenttoallowforstudentsuccess.• Accommodationsaremadeforvulnerablepopulations,uptoandincludingremote

instructionortelework.

Safeguarding the Campus Environment

TheoverridingpriorityofboththiscommitteeanduniversityleadershipistoprovideadequatesafeguardsforthewholeofourcampuscommunityinthefaceoftheCOVID-19crisis.Indevelopingrecommendations,thecommitteeidentifiedpotentialareasofconcernforthespreadofthevirusacrossallfacetsofuniversityoperations.

Specificriskareaswereidentified,andpotentialsolutionsweighedutilizingtheprinciplesdefinedintheHierarchyofControlsasseeninFigure1.

9 Draft

Figure 1. Emergency Management Hierarchy of Controls describe actions taken to minimize risk to a threat.

ThegoalinapplyingtheHierarchyofControlsisasystematic,topdownapproachtodecisionmakingthatfirstexaminesstepstoeliminatethehazardorsubstitutelesshazardousoptions,followedbyengineeringcontrolswhichalterthephysicalenvironmentinwhichpeoplework,administrativecontrolswhichchangehowpeoplework,andfinallytheuseofpersonalprotectiveequipment.

Thecommitteearrivedatrecommendedsolutionsthatwerealignedwithallfivecontrolcategories.Insituationswheremultiplesolutionoptionswereavailable,finalrecommendationswerebasedonthemosteffective,asillustratedinthehierarchy,aswellasconsiderationsforimplementationfeasibilityandpotentialimpactsonthecampuscommunity.

TherapidlyevolvingnatureoftheCOVID-19crisiswillrequiretheUniversitytooperatebasedonacontinualevaluationofrisksandpotentialsolutionsfortheforeseeablefuture.

Operations Modifications (Elimination of Hazard/Substitution)

TheactionsinstitutedbythePresident’sCabinet(PolicyGroup)inearlyMarcharedefinedwithinthehierarchyofcontrolsaseliminationand/orsubstitution.Thetransitionawayfromclassroominstructiontoalternativedeliverymethodsprovidedstudents,faculty,andstafftheabilitytoisolatethemselvesfromgroupsettingswhichcouldhaveresultedinarapidspreadandescalationofthevirus.Theseactionswereaccomplishedwhilemaintainingacontinuityofcoursedeliveryacrossallprograms.

Facilities Modifications (Engineering Controls)

10 Draft

EngineeringcontrolssystematicallyalterthephysicalenvironmenttoreducethelikelihoodofspreadingoftheCOVID-19virus.Examplesmayincludesocialdistancingbychangingfurniturelayoutorinstallingphysicalbarriersincustomerserviceenvironmentsrequiringcloseface-to-faceinteractions.Thissectionprovidesspecificsituationalrecommendations.

Reconfiguration of areas to limit capacity and maintain social distancing

Inallareasacrossuniversityproperties,andforuniversity-ledactivitiesconductedoff-campus,provisionsshallbemadetolimitthenumbersofpersonsinagivenareatocomplywitha6-footseparationbetweenpersons,referredtoassocialdistancing.Thefollowingprovidesguidanceonsomecommonsituationsbutshouldnotbeviewedasallinclusive:

• Relocateorisolatechairs,benches,couches,orotherseating,bothinsidebuildings,outdoors,andonvehiclestransportingstudents,tolimitavailableseats.

• Temporarilyclosepotentialgatheringspaces,excludingentrancelobbiesorotherbuildingaccesspoints,todiscouragepeoplefromcongregating.Iftheareasorpartofthetravelpathtoanexit,approvalmustbeobtainedfromtheUniversityFireMarshalpriortoinstallationofanybarriers.

• Reconfigurationofclassrooms,laboratories,andotherteaching/learningspacestopromotesocialdistancing.

• Reduceoccupancyofdining,retail,andeventspacetocorrespondtocurrentstateguidelines.

Installation of Separation Barriers

Insituationswhereface-to-faceinteractionisrequiredtoconductbusinesstransactions,foodservice,orotheruniversityfunctions,installbarriersorphysicalcontrolmeasurestoreducetheriskofdirectexposurefromdirectdropletexchange.

Torequestabarrier,departmentsshouldcompleteaProjectRequestFormlocatedonthePlanningDesignandConstructionWebsite:

https://www.wku.edu/pdc/forms/project_request_form.pdf

Modification of Pedestrian Traffic Patterns

11 Draft

EnvironmentalHealth&SafetywillconductasurveyofallpedestriantrafficpathwaysbyJune30,2020toidentifyandassessareaswherepedestrianscannotmaintainsocialdistancing(6FT).Whereappropriate,physicalbarriersorothercontrols,suchastransitiontoone-waytrafficpatternsorclosures,tolimitpotentialexposureswillbedeployed.

Cleaning and Disinfection by Area Type

OperationalrequirementsdictateminimumprescribedmeasuresforcleaninganddisinfectingareastoreducethepotentialforspreadingtheCOVID19virus.Thefollowingprovidestherecommendedactionsforcommoncategoriesofspaces.

Athletic Facilities

Athletictraining,recreational,andfitnessrelatedfacilitiesunderthedirectionoftheAthleticsDepartment,DepartmentofCampusRecreationandWellness,orAcademicDepartmentswillfollowrequirementsoftheapplicablegoverningbodies,includingNCAA,ConferenceUSA,ortheCommonwealthofKentuckyrelatedtothespecificfacilitytype.

Bus Operations

TheDepartmentofParkingandTransportationwilldevelopandimplementaplantoregularlycleananddisinfectcommonlytouchedareasoftheirbusesduringnormaloperations.Interimproceduresarecurrentlyinplacetoaddressthecurrentlimitedoperatingschedules.

Classrooms

Cleaninganddisinfectionofclassroomswillbeincludedintheuniversitywidecleaninganddisinfectingplan.

Conference Services

ConferenceServiceswilldevelopacleaninganddisinfectingplanforthespacesthattheyscheduleandmanagepriortotheresumptionofsuchservices.

Food Service Operations Areas

12 Draft

FoodandvendingserviceareasprovidedundertheuniversityAramarkcontractwillbeoperatedandmaintainedinaccordancewithprescribedfoodservicegeneralandCOVID-19specificrequirementsbyAramarkpersonnel.AramarkwillprovidedetailedCOVID-19complianceplansforfoodserviceandcleaningtotheAssistantVicePresident,HousingandResidenceLifebyJune15thfortheSummeroperationalperiod,andbyJuly15thfortheFallsemesteroperationalperiod.

Laboratories

DuetothevarietyoflaboratoryoperationsatWKU,developmentoflaboratoryspecificwrittencleaninganddisinfectionplanswillbetheresponsibilityofassignedteachingfacultyand/orPrincipalInvestigators(PI).

Interimrequirementsforcleaninganddisinfectionoflimitedlaboratoriescurrentlyoperatingaretheresponsibilityoftheassignedlaboratorymanagers.

ApplicableproceduresassignedrolesandresponsibilitiesandappropriatesuppliesmustbeinplacepriortotheresumptionoftheFall2020semester.

Private Offices and Other Individually Assigned Work Spaces

Cleaninganddisinfectionofprivateofficesandindividuallyassignedworkspaceswillbetheresponsibilityoftheemployeeassignedtothespace.Cleaninganddisinfectingsupplieswillbeavailableinthevariousdepartmentstoaidincompletingbasiccleaninganddisinfectionofsurfaces.

Public Operational Spaces

InallbuildingsservicedbytheDepartmentofFacilitiesManagement,staffwillcleananddisinfectcommonlytouchedsurfacesincommonareasincludingprimaryentrances,hallways,primaryrestrooms,etc.,twicedaily.

TheUniversitywillcoordinateacquisitionofsuppliesofcleaningmaterialsforeachoperatingdepartmentfortheiruseincleaninganddisinfectingofcommonlytouchedsurfacesintheircommonareasandoffices.

Auniversity-widecleaninganddisinfectingplanwillbedevelopedtoaddressspecificareatypes,recommendedprocedures,andresponsibilitiesbyJune30,2020.

Residence Halls

13 Draft

HousingandResidenceLife(HRL),inconjunctionwiththeDepartmentofFacilitiesManagement,willdevelopandcommunicateanoperationalplanforthecleaninganddisinfectingofallcommonareasofResidenceHallsandHRLApartments.

TheplanwillalsoaddressanyexpectationsofstudentsorothersresidinginHRLbuildingsrelativetoindividuallivingspaces,restrooms,andotherareasasdefined.

Retail Operations

RetailoperationssuchastheWKUStore,AthleticTicketOffice,WKUFarmCommodities,etc.willdevelopaplantoassurecleaninganddisinfectionofequipment,supplies,andifapplicable,merchandise.Theseplansmustbeinplacepriortoresumptionofpublicaccessretailoperations.

Other Areas not Specified

OperationalareasnotspecifiedinthisdocumentthathaveregularoccupancybypeoplewillfollowtheguidanceforPublicOperationalSpaces.SpecificquestionsorconcernsaroundcleaninganddisinfectionproceduresandpracticesshouldbedirectedtotheDepartmentofEnvironmentalHealthandSafety.

Other Preventive and Protective Measures

Additionalmeasureswillbeintroducedpriortotherestartofoperationsinaccordancewithregulatoryrequirementsandotheridentifiedhealthandsafetypractices.Thesewillinclude:

• Placehandsanitizerstationsatprimaryentrancestoalluniversitybuildings• Promotefrequenthandwashingbyallpersonsoncampus• Reducepassengerloadsontransitbuses.Prioritizecampusaccessovercampus

circulationservices.

Operational Adjustments (Administrative Controls):

Administrativecontrolsrelatetochangesinbusinessandoperationalpracticestominimizeapotentialrisk.InthecaseofCOVID-19,examplesalreadyundertakenincludeemployeesworkingremotelyandtransitiontoinstructiondeliveredinalternativeformatstoeliminateface-to-facesettings.Additionalexamplesincludelimitingthenumberofentrancestobuildings,changingpedestriantrafficflow,limitedthenumberofpeopleallowedineachspace,etc.

ExamplesofPotentialApplicationofAdministrativeControls:

14 Draft

• Usetechnologicalsolutionstoprocessbusinessandacademictransactionsordeliverremotecustomerservicetoeliminatetheneedforface-to-faceinteractionsorthedirecthandlingofpaperwork.

• Increaseduseofremotemeetingandconferencesystemstoreduceface-to-facegatheringsforbothmeetingsandeducationaldeliveryapplications.

• Reasonableaccommodationsforvulnerablepopulations.• Wherepossible,applicationoftelework,sickleave,andfamilyleavepoliciesfor

thoseemployeeswhoarenotabletocomeintoworkduetoillness,takingcareofafamilymember(s),orlackofchildcareoptions.

COVID-19 procedures for Specific Department Operations

WKUtakesgreatprideinofferingawidevarietyofeducationandappliedlearningopportunities.Thereareoverthreehundredlaboratoriesofferingstudentengagementrangingfromfineartstoagriculturetomedicinetoengineering.Insomecases,theselearningareascanutilizethegeneralstandardsofsocialdistancingandfacecoveringsasoutlinedtosafelyaccomplishtheirrequiredtasks.

Duetoconditionsthatmayprecludethewearingoffacecoveringsand/ormaintainingsocialdistance,somelaboratoriesandothercampusoperationswillneedtodevelopalternateoperatingplansandprocedurestoaccomplishtheinterestsoflearningorothercriticaltaskswhilemaintainingprotectionforparticipants.DepartmentleadersandtheDepartmentofEnvironmentalHealthandSafetywillworkwithfacultyandstafftofindappropriatemethodsformeetingtheserequirements.

Training and Communications for Employees, Students, and Visitors

ThelackofclarityregardingthecharacteristicofNovelCoronaVirus,COVID-19,inadditiontoitsrapidemergence,hasresultedinunprecedentedactionsatallorganizationallevelsonaglobalbasis.Asadditionalinformationsurfaces,theregulationsandguidanceforintuitionalactionsfocusedonprotectingpeopleareevolvingrapidly.

Withtheadditionalrequirementsofsocialdistancing,requiredpersonalprotection,limitsonpublicgathering,etc.neededtofightthespreadofCOVID-19,asubstantialchangeinoperationalcultureacrossallfacetsofWKUwillberequired.Thesechangescanonlybeinstitutionalizedthroughthepositiveengagementofpeopleinallareasofcampuslifeincludingfaculty,staff,students,contractors,andmembersofthecommunitiesthatweserve.

Integrated Training and Communications Concept

15 Draft

Asaleadingeducationalinstitution,itisessentialthatWKUdevelopcomprehensivetrainingtoprovidethecampuscommunitywithessentialknowledgetopreparefaculty,staff,students,contractors,andvisitorstosafelymaneuveracampusre-startwithCOVID-19prevalentinourcommunity.

Key topics to include in training:

• OverviewandCharacteristicsoftheCOVID-19Virus• MechanismsofTransmission• Symptoms• StrategiesforSafeguardingWKU• PersonalProtectiveEquipmentRequirementsandProperUsage• PrinciplesofPersonalResponsibilities• ReportingRequirements/ProtectiveActions

TheDepartmentofEnvironmentalHealthandSafety(EH&S)willengageacross-functional,integratedtrainingdevelopmentcommitteetodesignanddevelopappropriateCOVID-19trainingprogramtoeducatethecampuscommunityontheirrespectiverolesandresponsibilitiesforsafelyreturningtocampus.AcommunicationsstrategywilldisseminatethetrainingacrossthevarioussegmentsoftheWKUcommunity.

InadditiontoEH&S,thecommitteewillincluderepresentativesfromthefollowing:

• CenterforInnovativeTeachingandLearning• StudyAbroadandGlobalLearning• CommunicationsandMarketing• WKUPublicBroadcasting• FacultyRepresentative• StaffRepresentative• StudentRepresentative

AtrainingandcommunicationsplanwillbecompletedbyJune30,2020,whichwillspecifycompletiongoalsfortrainingandcommunicationsmaterialsalongwithadisseminationstrategy.

Personal Protective Measures

16 Draft

Requirementsforpersonalprotectivemeasuresarefoundinthe Universal Personal Protective Measures subsection underRequiredActionsforAllPersonsonCampus.

Theultimatesuccessoftheseeffortsdependsoneachindividualtakingresponsibilitytocontinuallyfollowtherequirementssetforthinthisplan,alongwithotherpracticesprescribedbypublichealthandotherauthorities.

Signage

AppropriatesignagetoremindpersonsoftheenhancedoperationalnormsassociatedwithavoidingtheCOVID-19viruswillbeinstalledatentrancestobuildingsandfacilitiesandotherappropriatelocations.AcomprehensiveCOVID-19signageplanwillbedevelopedandapprovedbytheCommunicationsandMarketingStaffbyJune30,2020.SignageinstallationwillbecompletebyAugust15,2020.

Required Actions of All Persons on Campus

AllpersonswhoenteranyWKUcampus,otherWKUproperty,orattendaWKUsponsoredeventoractivityregardlessoflocationisexpectedtofollowthefollowingrequiredactions:

• Washyourhandsfrequentlyusingsoapandwater• Practicesocialdistancing(maintain6footdistancefromothers)atalltimeswhere

feasible• Wearclothfacecoveringorappropriatemaskthatcoversbothnoseandmouthas

prescribedintheUniversalProtectiveMeasuresSection• Avoidgroupsthatexceedlimitationsenforcedatthetime• Followallprescribedrulesandinstructionsprovidedaspartoftheresponseto

COVID-19• DonotcometocampusifyouhaveafeveroranyoftheCOVID-19Symptoms

outlinedintheHealthChecksectionofthisdocument• Immediatelyreportanypotentialexposureofindividualstopersonswitha

confirmedcaseofCOVID-19

Revised Operational Norms

17 Draft

Social Distancing

ThecurrentdefinitionofSocialDistancingregardingCOVID-19isaminimumdistanceof6feetinalldirections.Ifyoucannotalwaysmaintainthatdistance,youarerequiredtowearaclothfacecovering.

Universal Personal Protective Measures

Face Coverings Usage:

Appropriatefacecoveringsincludeaclothfacecoveringorappropriatepapermaskthatcoversbothnoseandmouth.Thefollowingguidelinesrelatetotherequirementtowearfacecoverings:

• Atalltimeswheninpublicareasorsharedspaceswithinbuildings• Outdoorswhennearotherswheresocialdistancingofatleast6feetcannot

beaccomplished• Wheninavehiclewithotherpersonsincludecars,vans,andbuses

Face Coverings Usage (Exceptions):

Therearesituationswhereafacecoveringisnotrequiredorcannotbewornduetothetypeofactivityorfactorsrelatedtotheenvironment.Examplesinclude:

• Whileeatingordrinking• Inenvironmentswherehazardsexistthatcreateagreaterriskbywearinga

mask(Weldingareas,HazardousMaterialsOperations,etc.)• Performingphysicalexertionsuchasmanuallabor,running,athletics

training• Outdoorswithmorethan6feetcontinuousseparationbetweenallpeople• Otherphysicallimitationsorconditionsthatprecludeanindividualfrom

wearingamaskorfacecovering

Inallcaseswhereamaskcannotbeworn,andsocialdistancingcannotbemaintained,alternativemethodsmustbeutilizedtolimitpotentialtransmissionoftheCOVID19virus.

SpecificguidanceforthepersonalprotectiveactionsnotedinthissectionwillbeincludedinaformalproceduredocumentWKUEHS-20-002PersonalProtectiveMeasureforCOVID19whichwillbepublishedbyMay29th,2020.

Health Checks:

18 Draft

Allemployeesarerequiredtoconfirmcompletionofdailyhealthcheckpriortoreportingtocampus.ThehealthcheckwillcomplywiththeestablishedprocedureWKUEHS-20-001COVID-19HealthCheckswhichisavailableontheWKUEH&SandCOVID-19webpagesandisincludedasAppendixCofthisreport.

Public Gatherings / Events

AlluniversitysponsoredpubliceventshavebeencancelledthroughthemonthofJune2020.Therestartingofuniversityevents,aswellasthereturntooperationoftheWKUConferenceSpacesand/ortheutilizationofUniversityspacesbyoutsideorganizations,remainstobedetermined.

Theabilitytohosteventswillbedeterminedbyseveralfactors:

• Stateregulationsineffectatthetime• Sizeoftheevent• EventVenue:indoorvsoutdoor• Abilitytomaintainsocialdistancingrequirements• Levelofcommunitydiseasetransmission

Whentheresumptionofpublicgatheringsandeventsoccurs,allsuchactivitiesMUSTbecoordinatedthroughtheOfficeofEventsortheAthleticsDepartment.SpecificeventplanswillbedevelopedtoassurethatCOVID-19preventionrequirementsareinplaceatthetimewillbefollowed.

COVID-19 Testing

TestingforbothactivecasesofCOVID-19,aswellasantibodytestsforpersonswhomayhavecontractedandrecoveredfromthevirus,arebecomingmorereadilyavailableandshowingincreasedlevelsofreliability.

WKUwillworkwithlocalhealthcareproviders,BarrenRiverDistrictHeathDepartment,EmergencyManagement,cityandcountygovernmentsandtheGovernor’sOfficetodevelopaccesstoappropriatetesting.Astestingprogramsareapprovedandspecificimplementationplansdeveloped,theywillbecommunicatedtotheWKUcommunity.

19 Draft

COVID-19 on Campus: Response and Case Management

WKUpridesitselfinbeingfullyintegratedwiththecommunitiesweserve.StafffromtheDepartmentofEnvironmentalHealthandSafetyandEmergencyManagementserveasactivemembersofWarrenCountyEmergencyManagementandtheBarrenRiverDistrictHealthDepartmentHealthcareEmergencyArea4ResponseTeam(HEART).

TheseconnectionsprovideastrongpartnershipforboththeimplementationofproactivepreventioninitiativesaswellasrapidmobilizationtomanagepotentialorconfirmedCOVID19casesthatmayaffectourcampuses.

Healthy at Work Officers

WKUhasdesignatedHealthyatWorkOfficers(HWO)asprescribedbytheKentuckyGovernor’sOffice.Theseindividualshaveawealthofexperienceandwillprovidestrongtechnicalexpertiseandleadershipinoverseeingtheuniversity’stacticalresponsetotheCOVID19pandemic.Theofficersaredesignatedandassignedasfollow:

• LauraTomlin,AssistantDirectorEH&S:LeadHWOProgramCoordinator• BrandonHiggins,ManagerWorkerComp&Safety:Employees,RegionalCampuses• MichaelGaddie,AssociateAD/SportsMedicine:AthleticsStaffandStudentAthletes

TheHealthyatWorkOfficerswillcoordinatetoimplementstrategiesandtacticalplanstosupportthecampusresponsetoCOVID-19.

Designated COVID-19 Response Team

InadditiontothedesignatedHealthyatWorkOfficers,additionalpersonnelwillsupportthecampuscommunityrelatedtooperationalrequirementsaroundCOVID-19.Thesewillinclude:

• DavidOliver,DirectorEH&S/EM:EmergencyManagementandEOCOperations• MelnaWilson,CoordinatorEH&S/EM:CampusCaseResponseCoordinator • JohnSunnygard,AssociateProvostGlobalLearningandInternationalAffairs:

InternationalOperationsInterface• KenBranch,DirectorFacilitiesManagement:FacilitiesReadinessandOperations

Additionalrolesandresourceswillbeincludedasgovernmentalrequirementsandsituationalchangesdictate.

20 Draft

Reporting Mechanisms / Procedures

Effectiveresponsetoacommunicablediseaserequiresearlyreporting,rapidassessment,andimplementationofquarantinemeasuresasdirectedbyqualifiedhealthofficials.WKUhasimplementedadedicatedreportingandsupportsystemtofacilitatethisprocess.Thecontacttelephonenumber,270-745-2019,isansweredbydesignated,qualifiedstaffona24-hourbasis.

Astandardizedreportingprocessassuresthatappropriateinformationisrequestedandgathered.AlldatagatheredwillbeconfidentialpertherequirementsoftheHealthInsurancePortabilityandAccountabilityActof1996(HIPAA).

Case Management

AllcontactsreceivedbytheUniversitythatindicateapotentialexposuretoCOVID-19willbeimmediatelyreferredtotheapplicablepublichealthagenciesfordirectionorassumptionofcasemanagement.

ImmediateactionstoisolateindividualswillbeimplementedeitherthroughtheUniversityforpersonsresidinginHousingandResidenceLife(HRL)residencehallsorapartments,orbypublichealthforallpersonsresidingoffcampus.

FormalcasemanagementplansandoperatingproceduresareunderdevelopmentinconsultationwiththeBarrenRiverDistrictHealthDepartment.Theseplanswilldetailthecasemanagementprocess,rolesandresponsibilities,contacttracingprocess,medicalsupport,andquarantineplanforpersonsresidinginHRLhallsandapartments,communicationsprotocols,andcasespecificcleaninganddisinfectionplan.(CompletionDateJune30,2020).

Contact Tracing

AsprescribedbytheKentuckyHealthyatWorkrequirements,WKUwilldevelopandimplementaContactTracingProgramunderthedirectionoftheBarrenRiverDistrictHealthDepartment.TheprogramwillbeacriticalcomponentoftheUniversity’sCOVID-19casemanagementplanasdescribedintheprevioussection.

21 Draft

Conclusion

TheimpactsofCOVID-19,bothdirectandindirect,willbemajorandlongfeltbytheUniversity,ourcommunities,andtheworld.Thisplanistheframeworkforoneaspectofanongoingresponsethatwillinevitablyrequiremanychangesdrivenbynumerousinfluences.

Ourresponsefromthestarthasbeen,andwillcontinuetobe,focusedonthewellbeingofstudents,faculty,staff,andcommunities.Ourcommitteeanditsindividualmembersstandreadytoengageasneededtoassistinaddressingthisunprecedentedchallenge.

AsHilltoppers,wemustcareforeachotherbybeingvigilantintakingthesestepstopreventthespreadofthevirus.Collectively,theseactionsarenecessarytoensureoursuccess.

References -

Guidance Documents

AmericanCollegeHealthAssociation–ConsiderationsforReopeningInstitutionsofHigherEducationintheCOVID-19Era(5/7/2020)

OccupationalSafetyandHealthAdministration(OSHA)guidanceonPreparingWorkplacesforCOVID-19(3/2020)

Commonwealth of Kentucky – Healthy at Work- Reopening Kentucky (5/2020):

https://govsite-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/34CVrepQ8KClctVAQEDH_5-11-2020%20CHFS%20Order%20Minimum%20Requirements%20for%20All%20Entities.pdf

22 Draft

Appendices

23 Draft

WKU COVID-19 Daily Health Check Procedure Description:

This procedure is designed to comply with recommendations of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the requirements set forth by the Governor of the Commonwealth of Kentucky by Executive Order in the publication Healthy at Work – Reopening Kentucky for Daily Temperature and Health Checks.

Scope:

This procedure is applicable to all WKU employees, including student workers, contractors, or vendors who work or conduct business on WKU properties.

In addition, it applies to visitors who enter WKU property indoors or outside where they have the potential for close contact (less than 6 feet) to WKU Faculty, Staff, Students, or others.

Application/ Administration:

The health check provisions including temperature check may be conducted prior to employees or others reporting to campus. In certain situations, leaders may require the completion of the checks at an on campus setting. In these cases a touchless thermometer, certified for human medical use, should be maintained for those purposes.

Documentation of Findings:

As a rule, the validation of temperature and health check questions should be used as a point in time evaluation for persons prior to their reporting for work or other activities on WKU Properties.

The documentation and retention of personal medical information may require compliance with privacy and communication provisions of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA). If retention of data for specific operations is required, each affected person should be asked to maintain a personal log to safeguard their privacy.

If planning to collect data for a group of employees or others the WKU Office of the General Council should be contacted to provide direction on compliance with applicable requirements.

COVID 19 Health Checklist:

The checklist document included with this procedure is designed to comply with regulations and guidelines in place as of May 11, 2020. It is subject to change based on the evolving nature of the COVID 19 Pandemic.

It should be used as a guide for individuals to assess the presence of potential symptoms of the COVID- 19 Virus in employees and others.

24 Draft

WKU COVID-19 Daily Health Checklist

Please review the checklist every day before reporting to campus. If you have any of the following conditions,

STAY HOME and contact your supervisor.

WKUEHS-20-001COVID19HealthChecks

A fever (a temperature above 100.3 F)

A cough

Shortness of breath

Muscle aches or chills

Sore Throat

Diarrhea/vomiting

Loss of taste or smell

You or anyone you have been in close contact with has been diagnosed as having COVID-19 or placed on quarantine

You have been asked to self-isolate or quarantine by a medical professional or local public health official