The following message is from city manager Jim Sanders:
Fellow City Employees,
As you are aware, over the past couple of weeks we have experienced a significant surge in COVID-19 cases within Polk County and throughout the state of Iowa. The surge in COVID-19 cases and exposures has “hit home” for many of us as we all have experienced or witnessed more illness and exposures among our co-workers, family members, friends and acquaintances. We are at a critical stage regarding COVID where we as citizens need to do our part to help stop the spread and protect ourselves, co-workers, friends and families.
Attached are current and updated policies regarding COVID. We have created these policies to meet and/or exceed the guidance we have received from the federal government and Center for Disease Control (CDC). The policies require our employees to follow safety guidelines including social distancing and wearing face coverings anytime you are in common areas within our facilities including hallways, restrooms, work rooms, break rooms, shops, etc. Employees that do not follow any directive, policy or guideline related to the pandemic may be subject to disciplinary action up to and including termination.
Regarding what you do outside of the work place, I encourage you to follow all safety guidelines and protect yourself, your family and friends. As we go into the holiday season, I hope you discuss with your family how you can safely celebrate the holidays while protecting yourselves and your families, especially older family members and family members with underlying health conditions.
I know we are all tired of dealing with COVID and I hope we will soon be able to turn the corner and begin working our way back to normal. In the meantime, we all need to take personal responsibility and do what is necessary to be safe and reduce the spread.
Thank you and please stay safe!
Jim