Supes adopt COVID policy for county employees
During its Monday recessed meeting, the Kemper County Board of Supervisors adopted a policy that requires those who have tested positive for COIVD-19 to stay at home for five days following a positive test if they are not symptomatic, or if they were showing symptoms to remain at home until those symptoms have passed.
The question of whether or not those employees ordered to stay at home would be paid was resolved during Monday’s meeting as well.. Those sent home can use their sick days or vacation days if they so choose. Those who choose not to use those avenues or have no sick or vacation days remaining will not be paid.
“We really don’t have any choice,” said Board President Pat Granger, who represents District 1. “We can’t pay them.”
Board attorney Rick Barry advised the supervisors that under state guidelines the employees could not be compensated in any other way than through sick or vacation pay.
The vote to institute the policy passed 4-1, with District 3 Supervisor Scott Johnson voting nay. Johnson also was the lone dissenting vote in a motion to include the COVID-Policy with the employees next pay stubs, as well as an order to make it mandatory for those in county-owned buildings to wear masks until at least the Feb. 22 meeting of the Board of Supervisors.
Granger said the mask mandate would be revisited during that meeting.
The COVID-19 Policy also stated that those who had been exposed to COVID-19 and had not been fully vacated should stay at home as well. Those who had been vaccinated can come to work but should wear a mask around others for 10 days. After five days they should be tested for COVID-19.
The full policy is available in the office of the county administrator.