OSHEM Program Update: National Capital Region, Florida and Arizona move to MEDIUM COVID alert status

Smithsonian locations in the National Capital Region (including SCBI and SERC), Florida, and Arizona will enter a Medium COVID-19 Regional Level category effective today, January 4^th. In Smithsonian’s other regions: our locations in New York City remain in High, our Massachusetts sites remain in Medium, and our other locations in Panama and Hawaii are in Low.

For locations entering Medium, you will notice additional signage that recommends staff and visitors consider employing further safety measures to protect themselves against COVID-19. These recommendations include voluntarily wearing a high-quality mask and keeping up with proper hand hygiene.

The Smithsonian continues to be a mask-friendly environment and anyone who wishes to wear one to further protect themselves may do so in all CDC Community Levels – this practice is especially recommended in Medium. High-quality masks, including KN95s and N95 respirators, are available for staff use via the Smithsonian Facilities Logistics Cell. Contact your unit’s Safety Coordinator to place a request.

As always, everyone should continue to answer their Daily Health Questions each day before reporting on-site to Smithsonian facilities and shall follow the directions based on their responses. If you are sick or have symptoms, regardless of the cause, please stay home, take care of yourself, and return to work when you are healthy. If you test positive for COVID, please continue to report COVID-19 positive cases to Occupational Health Services.

The Way Ahead website has been updated to reflect the current statuses and includes details on the mitigation measures in each level. Please visit that site to learn more about the safety mitigation measures for staff and the public.

Thank you for your flexibility and adherence to Smithsonian’s safety measures. If you have questions about this message or other COVID-specific topics, please email SI-CoronavirusInfo@si.edu.

Stay COVID Safe,

OSHEM COVID Program
s.si.edu/COVID-19

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