Carbon County has announced changes to its employee COVID-19 policy, effective immediately.

The government seat announced Tuesday how departments will handle cases if they occur.

“There are many that think if they had COVID they’re immune and don’t need the vaccine, but there is an increase,” Commissioner Rocky Ahner said Tuesday, noting that the commissioners have continually monitored the situation in Carbon County to see when policy changes were needed.

Under the new policy, employees who test positive for COVID-19 must immediately contact HR and their supervisor and then must not report to work for 10 days and until they submit a negative test result and a doctor’s note.

Employees who have been exposed to a person who is positive for COVID must remain out of work for five days and then get a COVID test on the fifth day. A copy of the negative test result is required to return to work.

“With an increase of cases and different variations of practice from individual doctors, the 5-day waiting period is the best way to keep our employees and the public safe,” Ahner said.

Carbon County has a 14.4% positivity rate in the figures released by the Pennsylvania Department of Health on Monday.

With regard to time off, vaccinated employees who have their vaccine card on file with HR and who test positive or were exposed to a COVID case will receive 10 paid COVID days before having to use any available benefit time.

Unvaccinated employees, however, who test positive or are in contact with a COVID case, must use all available sick, vacation, personal, holiday and any other time off before going to time off without pay.

Ahner said this decision regarding vaccinated and unvaccinated time off policy is to “encourage a safer work environment.”

Mask wearing requirements were not included in the policy.