Commissioners Pass COVID Policy

The Cheyenne County Commissioners Monday approved a policy addressing COVID-19 and the increasing number of positive cases in Cheyenne County and the Nebraska Panhandle.

The policy addresses county employees, staff or elected official, and the public.

The policy states that if a person has tested positive for COVID-19, they must self-isolate at home until at least 10 days have passed since the date of the positive test, or at least 10 days have passed since the onset of symptoms, your symptoms have improved or you have been fever free for at least 24 hours.

If you have come in direct contact with a person has been diagnosed with the COVID-19 virus and you have tested negative for the COVID-19 virus, you must self-quarantine for 14 days. County Clerk Beth Fiegenschuh said the 10-day quarantine is from when a person has been diagnosed positive. The 14-day period is if a person has come in contact with someone diagnosed positive, but the person not determined to be positive has shown symptoms.

If an employee is quarantined for either testing positive or coming in contact with someone positive, the period of quarantine will be treated as sick leave vacation or unpaid time off. If the employee has not been exposed but become ill, any time from work will be considered sick leave and deducted from the employee's sick bank. If there is no sick bank, the time will be taken from the vacation bank, and if there is no vacation time, the time off will be unpaid time.

If an employee has not been directly exposed, but chooses to self-isolate, that time will be deducted from the employee's vacation leave. An employee who is caring for his or her child because the school or place of care is closed, the employee is allowed up to 80 hours of paid COVID-19 leave. Employees are allowed an additional 10 weeks of expanded family and medical leave which may be paid or unpaid leave.

Additionally, the county will be posting signs at the doors to county buildings encouraging patrons to wear a mask. The commissioners Monday stressed the use of a mask is a strong suggestion, not a mandate. Wearing masks are recommended and at the discretion of county elected and appointed officials.

Patrons are asked to practice social distancing, staying at least six feet away from others, wear a mask, wash your hands often with soap and water, clean all surfaces that are touched often, such as counters, tabletops and doorknobs.

If a person is sick, they are encouraged to stay home.