Dear ADOT Team Members:
There's good news and not-so-good news on the COVID-19 front.
The good news? More Arizonans are getting vaccinated every day. Medical experts say the vaccines, free to everyone, are safe and highly protective against even the more contagious Delta Variant we’ve been hearing about. More than half of all Arizonans and more than five out of eight people aged 18 and older in our state have been vaccinated for COVID-19.
The numbers show that the science is clear -- if you are vaccinated, you are very unlikely to contract COVID-19, and almost certainly will not get severely ill or die from it.
- The Arizona Department of Health Services says that in May 2021, 95% of new Arizona COVID-19 cases were in people who were not fully vaccinated.
- Here’s a remarkable stat from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Since January of this year, 99% of COVID deaths have been people who are not fully vaccinated. Those unnecessary deaths are sad and tragic.
While we strongly encourage you to get vaccinated (visit this link for a location near you), we know that some of you are making a personal choice to not do so.
That brings us to the not-so-good news.
COVID cases are rising again. The average of positive cases over a seven-day period in Arizona is up 59% over the past week, according to the CDC. ADOT employees reported seven new COVID cases last month. Experts say the Delta Variant is fueling the increase in cases and anyone who is not fully vaccinated is at risk.
In May we updated our ADOT guidelines for wearing masks in the workplace. With COVID-19 cases increasing, I want to remind everyone that these guidelines are not optional.
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ADOT employees and others who are not fully vaccinated must wear masks and stay physically distanced while in ADOT buildings and vehicles or around others when engaging in work-related activities.
- Those who are fully vaccinated are not required to wear masks.
- Fully vaccinated employees and members of the public can continue to wear a mask if that is their preference.
- All are still subject to any federal, local or tribal rules and regulations as well as business and workplace requirements.
- Regardless of whether you’ve been vaccinated, if you are sick - stay home!
- If you seek COVID-19 testing for any reason, please report your results on the COVID-19 Notification Form.
- Visit the ADOTNet COVID-19 Resource Center for other key information for employees.
Following these guidelines will allow us to demonstrate our core values of AIR: accountability, integrity and respect.
And, in this case, it could even save your life or the life of a friend or colleague.
John S. Halikowski
Director
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