COVID-19 Update

As we continue to adapt to the realities of COVID-19, the City’s top priority is the health and safety of its citizens and staff. AFCEMA reports show a rapid increase in cases due to the highly transmissible Delta variant in addition to the recent rise in cases seen among City staff.

We encourage staff to consider the various benefits of the vaccine and speak with their primary care physician to learn more about the vaccine’s safety and efficacy. We ask that employees who do not wish to be vaccinated complete an anonymous survey at: spr.gs/vaccinesurvey to help our Emergency Preparedness department better understand the concerns held by staff who are hesitant to receive the vaccine.

In accordance with guidelines from the CDC and Georgia Department of Public Health, the City of Sandy Springs will have the following measures in place effective Monday, August 16, 2021:

Staff Vaccination Initiative

Staff are encouraged to be fully vaccinated and submit their vaccination record to Human Resources via HR@sandyspringsga.gov or bring their official vaccination card to the HR Office. Vaccine information will be securely and confidentially maintained by HR staff. An employee’s vaccination status will be reviewed only by the City’s licensed medical staff members and by HR staff to apply the following incentives to the employee’s timecard and payroll upon verification of full vaccination status:

• One (1) vacation day and

• A one-time $250 non-deferrable wellness bonus.

Please note: City Springs Mobile Vaccine Unit Date Change

A Fulton County Board of Health CORE mobile vaccine unit will be at City Springs to administer the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine to City employees and their families in the 2nd floor Barfield Training Room. 

The dates of the mobile vaccine unit have changed to Wednesdays. The Mobile Vaccination Unit will operate from 11:00 am to 2:30 pm:

   • August 25
   • September  15
   • October 6
   • October 27
   • November 17
   • December 8
   • December 29

Please bring a government-issued photo ID and medical insurance card.  City of Sandy Springs employees and their family members ages 12 and older are eligible.

Additional vaccine appointments can be made anytime at: https://fultoncountyga.gov/covidvaccine. 

Any person who is unable to locate their vaccination record may submit a Request for State of Georgia Official Immunization Record to the Georgia Immunization Registry at https://dph.georgia.gov/immunization-section/georgia-immunization-registry-grits.

Return to Phase 1.5 of the Reopening Plan

All employees must wear a mask when they are away from their individual workstations. This includes conference rooms, breakrooms, hallways, public meeting rooms and excludes vehicles, distanced outdoor settings, and emergency response.

Citizens who visit City Hall to conduct business are strongly encouraged to wear masks regardless of vaccination status. Masks and hand sanitizer are available throughout City facilities.

Public Meetings and Municipal Court will continue as hybrid meetings. Internal staff meetings and meetings with the community should be held virtually to the fullest extent possible.

Permitting and Revenue will remain open to the public by appointment only.

Staff members in open workstations should telework via staggered schedules as determined by the department director. Breakrooms will be limited to two staff members at a time, and elevators and copy rooms will be limited to one staff member at a time.

Fridays will remain a telework day for deep cleaning and fogging of City Hall and Municipal Court.

Employee Wellness

Staff is required to stay at home when experiencing any feelings of general illness, fatigue, or sickness and must have a negative PCR test for COVID-19 at least 48-72 hours after onset of symptoms before returning to their central work location. If anyone becomes ill before or while at work, they need to immediately contact their supervisor, then contact Patrick Flaherty at 404-787-0498.

• PCR tests are available internally for city employees at www.signupgenius.com/go/70a0849a8a92fa4fc1-covid191.

• Staff who have a long commute may coordinate with Patrick Flaherty or Imani White to identify additional approved PCR COVID-19 testing locations as found on their County of residence website. Rapid tests are not approved for return-to-work clearance at this time.

Exposure Protocols

In the event of exposure to a known COVID-19 case, mandatory testing may be implemented for those who came in contact with or work in close proximity with the known case.

If an employee tests positive for COVID-19:

• Vaccinated employees must telework or utilize City-funded administrative leave for COVID recovery.

• Unvaccinated employees must telework or utilize personal sick leave.

If an employee is exposed to COVID-19:

• Vaccinated employees must telework or wear a mask at all times (including at their work stations) in City facilities and test negative 5 days after exposure and may return to work after 2 additional days.

• Unvaccinated employees must telework or utilize personal sick leave.

City-funded administrative leave related to COVID-19 exposure or positive test results will only be available to employees who submit proof of vaccination to Human Resources.