COVID Team Update: Daily Health Screening and Reporting to OHS

With Omicron impacting more employees, we have updated our Daily Health Screening questionnaire with additional information to clarify how to report symptoms, primary contact status, or a positive diagnosis. The document also provides further explanation about when to stay home. You must answer these questions thoughtfully and honestly each day before reporting to work on site.

In short, should you be symptomatic and are awaiting test results, test positive, or are a primary contact, report your status to Occupational Health Services (OHS) by emailing SI-coronavirusinfo@si.edu. When you email, please provide the following information

• Include your name and phone number where you can easily be reached.
• When were you last at work or are you a teleworker?
• When were you exposed/did you test positive?
• When did your symptoms begin (or are you asymptomatic)?

Once OHS has this information, they can more quickly get back to you with further instructions and any forms you may need, like a Duty Disposition Report. Because each person’s circumstance is different, OHS will ultimately decide when any employee may return to work depending on their diagnosis, vaccination status, and other variables. Do not return to the workplace until OHS has cleared you to do so.

The Omicron variant is highly transmissible. Now is not the time to let down your guard (or your face covering). Following Smithsonian’s safety protocols has never been more important.

As a reminder, Smithsonian’s COVID safety protocols include:

• Reporting to the worksite only when directed to do so.
• Taking the daily health screening and if you’re sick, stay home!
• Wearing a well-fitting, multi-layer face covering over the nose and mouth, and
• Always practicing social distancing of at least six feet.

Together, by staying home when sick, promptly reporting illness, and following all Smithsonian safety protocols, we can help OHS in their contact tracing efforts and we can keep our colleagues safe. Thank you for your patience and your diligence in maintaining a COVID-safe workplace.

Stay safe, be well, and get vaccinated,
COVID-19 Response Team

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