Acara COVID-19 Resources
Updates for Acara Contractors
As a valued member of the Acara team, your health and well-being are important to us. While many questions regarding COVID-19 remain unanswered at this time, there are practical ways for you to take care of yourself, protect others, and monitor latest developments.
Recommendations
Based on guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), we recommend the following preventative measures:
- Avoid close contact with others who are sick.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.
- Cover your cough or sneeze, preferably with a tissue that you can then discard.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces (e.g. cell phone, desk, keyboard, phone, etc.).
- If you or someone in your household is sick and especially symptomatic, you should inform your health care professional, your on-site supervisor and local Acara contact, and stay home from work.
Symptoms of COVID-19 vs. The Flu
COVID-19 | The Flu |
Fever | Fever |
Cough | Cough |
Shortness of Breath | Sore Throat |
Difficulty Breathing | Runny or Stuffy Nose |
Muscle/Body Aches | |
Headaches/Fatigue |
Travel
We recommend following the CDC’s guidelines regarding domestic and international travel. This includes avoiding international travel to areas with sustained or widespread transmission of the virus. Check here for an updated list of destinations. If you are traveling for business, please check with your on-site supervisor and local Acara contact (or designated email) for further direction prior to booking any travel.
Self-quarantine for travelers
Please note that the CDC is asking all travelers arriving in the U.S. from countries with a level 2 or 3 warning, even if asymptomatic, to self-quarantine for 14 days.
In an abundance of caution, we are following their guidelines and asking those who are traveling to and/or returning from CDC Level 2 or 3 areas, or whose household members are returning from CDC Level 2 or 3 areas, not to return to work until a 14-day period has elapsed following their return to the United States. Contract employees will need to obtain medical clearance before returning to the office. Please contact your personal physician for specific instructions regarding self-quarantine.
As we partner with you, our customers, and the greater community to meet known and unknown challenges, we are committed to keeping the channels of communication open and doing all we reasonably can to ensure the health, safety, and well-being of contract employees. We plan to communicate regularly with you as we monitor the situation.
If you have questions or concerns regarding this information, Acara’s leave policies, or any other issue, please speak with your Acara representative.
Thank you.
Brian Christel
President, Acara Solutions
Frequently Asked Questions
If you are sick or showing symptoms of COVID-19, you should stay home and immediately contact a health professional. If you have tested positive for COVID-19, you will need to stay home for at least 14 days. Contact your primary care physician to receive the attention you need, then contact your designated Acara supervisor. It is important that you be sure to contact your Acara supervisor so we can take the appropriate action to protect the rest of our workers.
What happens if someone I live with or a family member contracts the virus?
If someone you live with or have close contact with tests positive for COVID-19, you will need to stay home for 14 days. Ensure you have access to the medical help you and your family members need. Please contact your Acara supervisor to inform them that you have been in close contact with someone who is symptomatic or has contracted COVID-19
Will I receive pay during a quarantine period of 14 days?
Each one of our clients has unique policies related to contractor pay in the event of a quarantine. Please communicate with your designated Acara point of contact for more information on the pay policies being utilized by the company you work for.
Your assignment will not automatically be ended if you are diagnosed with COVID-19. If you contract COVID-19, you should self-quarantine for a minimum of 14 days and follow all CDC guidelines to mitigate the risk of spread. Once you are cleared, our designated Acara point of contact will work with you to get you back onsite. Additionally, if you contract COVID-19, you may be able to utilize FMLA or other leave depending on your specific circumstances.
No, you will not be automatically penalized if you need to care for any children who are home from school. We realize that this is an incredibly difficult time, and family always comes first. Should you have to stay home to care for your family, we only ask that you reach out to your designated Acara point of contact to inform them of the situation. They will work together with you to ensure the proper steps are taken. You may be able to use FMLA or other leave in the event that you have to stay home to tend to family members.
You may be able to take advantage of FMLA leave depending on your specific circumstances. In general, an employee who is sick or whose family members are sick may be entitled to leave under the FMLA, but you must meet certain statutory requirements. Additionally, certain states already provide for paid sick leave, depending on how much the employee has accrued. Each employee situation must be assessed on a case-by-case basis. You might also be eligible for leave under the Americans with Disabilities Act under certain circumstances. If you have questions about what you’re eligible for, please reach out to your designated Acara point of contact.
The CDC is recommending that anyone returning from countries with a level 2 or 3 warning self-quarantine for 14 days, even if asymptomatic. We are following the CDC’s guidelines and asking those who are traveling to and/or returning from CDC level 2 or 3 areas, or whose household members are returning from CDC Level 2 or 3 areas, not to return to work until a 14-day period has elapsed following their return to the United States. Contact his/her physician for specific instructions regarding self-quarantine.
Travel is highly discouraged during this time of social distancing. We recommend following the CDC’s guidelines regarding domestic and international travel. This includes avoiding international travel to areas with sustained or widespread transmission of the virus.
If you have more specific questions, please reach out to your designated Acara point of contact for clarification.