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Travel guidance, in-person meetings

As previously communicated, some business travel and associated in-person meetings are allowed under updated state travel guidance. Based on some questions the Incident Command team has received, below is some additional guidance to help clarify how Met Council leadership is applying this approach, particularly in certain circumstances.   Local travel, small-scale business meetings Some local business travel is allowed, to perform “necessary work functions.” You may participate in in-person meetings with colleagues and customers or partners, assuming that you can accommodate the following conditions: Met Council employees must wear masks. For indoor settings, ensure there is sufficient physical distance between people. Limit materials that physically need to be shared in a meeting. Practice safe hygiene by washing hands or using hand sanitizer, and avoid touching your face and mask. Avoid in-person activities if you’re ill. Outdoor meetings and events are generally safer, but employees should take recommended precautions to be safe. We strongly recommend masking in all in-person meeting situations.   Work with your supervisor to clarify if it is appropriate for you to be meeting with communities and colleagues in person. If you have any questions about your meeting and travel within the region, contact your representative on the Incident Command team for further guidance.   You should not be traveling outside the seven-county region (or to areas beyond Northstar commuter rail sites for Metro Transit) at this time. If you have a need to travel to a meeting that you cannot participate in remotely, please contact your representative on the Incident Command team for a decision.   Conferences At this time, employees will not be allowed to attend in-person conferences. Employees are encouraged to attend virtual conferences and professional development opportunities.   In-person, virtual public engagement Public meetings of the Metropolitan Council, Council committees, and Council advisory groups will continue to be virtual through at least Oct. 31.   We are not planning any in-person public meetings or engagement at this time. Employees may attend public events to represent the Met Council and to interact with customers and the public, assuming they wear masks, distance, and limit interaction with people to a few minutes at a time. If you have questions about public engagement, public meetings, or any related activities, contact Michelle Fure, public involvement manager in Regional Administration, at Michelle.Fure@metc.state.mn.us.

Vaccination and testing process details coming next week

Beginning Oct. 11, all Met Council employees will need to either be fully vaccinated for the COVID-19 virus or be tested weekly. Met Council leadership have been working on the detailed processes for verifying employee vaccination status and facilitating regular testing for those who aren’t vaccinated or are unable to be vaccinated.

Look for additional communications next week clarifying how each process will work and expectations for employees across Met Council divisions.

• Human Resources and Information Services staff have been working on a technology solution for verifying vaccination status. The process is being tested and will be available in advance of the Oct. 11 date to provide proof of vaccination.
• Procurement and Benefits staff (in Human Resources) are working to arrange a variety of testing options for employees who are not vaccinated. Specific information will be forthcoming, along with a procedure clearly identifying the process and requirements for employees.
• Contractors working on Met Council projects will also receive guidance in the coming weeks regarding their responsibilities to be vaccinated or tested. This is especially important for contract employees who are interacting directly with Met Council staff, on projects, and in facilities.

We appreciate your questions and patience as we work out the details to facilitate this process and avoid work disruptions where possible. If you have any additional questions, let us know by filling out the online COVID-19 form.

Reminder: Make your appointment now to get vaccinated

Check out these tools to find vaccine appointments:

• COVID-19 vaccines are available on Mondays and Thursdays at both of the Met Council's Well@Work clinics. Appointments are required, and masks are required at all times in the Well@Work clinics.
• Schedule an appointment at one of the state's Community Vaccination Program sites.
• Sign up for the COVID-19 Vaccine Connector to directly schedule an appointment or get updates on vaccine opportunities.
• Use the Vaccine Locator Map to search for vaccine providers in your area.
• Schedule an appointment on the HealthPartners COVID-19 site or the M Health Fairview COVID-19 site.
• Go to CDC: VaccineFinder to schedule an appointment for a vaccine at a pharmacy near you.
• Make sure you're reading this regular all-staff COVID-19 email to get the latest on vaccination opportunities, guidelines, and more.
• For more information about the vaccine and how to find an appointment, visit the Minnesota Department of Health vaccine site.

Important reminders related to the vaccine:

• To be fully vaccinated with the Moderna or Pfizer vaccines, two shots are required. If you’ve missed your second dose for any reason, get it as soon as possible. 
• You are considered fully vaccinated two weeks from the final vaccine dose.
• Even after you are fully vaccinated, you should continue to follow safety recommendations by public health officials and get tested if you are showing symptoms of COVID-19.

Continue testing to stop the spread of COVID-19

Anyone who is experiencing COVID-19 symptoms should immediately contact their health care provider and seek testing, regardless of their vaccination status. How to get a COVID-19 test:

• Walk in or schedule an appointment for a free test at one of the state’s COVID-19 Community Testing Sites across Minnesota.
• Order a free test through the state’s COVID-19 Test at Home program.
• If you have a HealthPartners medical plan, visit their website for testing information.

Telework Agreement Form now available

The Telework Agreement Form was updated as the organization prepares for the new, long-term hybrid workplace with a mixture of onsite, hybrid, and remote workers. The form is required for all staff who are teleworking as part of the new schedules that will be finalized this fall. The form is now online and routed automatically through the approval process.

The new Telework Agreement Form is now available on MetNet.

As a reminder, the telework transition is broken down into these steps:

1. Each department is setting general direction for when employees should return.
2. Then, each teleworking employee is determining with their manager their new schedule and effective date, which will be defined in the signed telework agreement.​
3. After discussing their plan with their manager, the employee will complete the online Telework Agreement Form and submit it to their supervisor or manager for approval.
4. The signed Telework Agreement Form needs to be finalized by mid-October and implemented accordingly at the appropriate time.

Our pandemic response team recommends that employees who can telework should continue to do so at least through Oct. 31, due to higher levels of community infection and the Delta variant. Teleworking employees should consider this updated guidance as they work with their managers to create their new plans.

Teleworkers can review the Telework Transition FAQ page on MetNet for details and tools to help in planning for and implementing their new schedules.