In accordance with recent updates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and guidance from NASA HQ and the Safer Federal Workforce, the COVID-19 policy includes the following changes for NASA SSC, effective immediately. Contractor personnel should follow their company/agency guidance.
- If you test positive for COVID-19 or exhibit COVID-like symptoms, contact your supervisor to determine your isolation requirements following the CDC guidance (Isolation and Precautions for People with COVID-19). Supervisors do not need to contact the SSC Clinic for Return to On-Site Work (RTOW) clearance as there is no longer a requirement to process SSC Form 602 (Medical Clearance) to be cleared to return to on-site work. NASA SSC will no longer perform contact tracing through the SSC Clinic. Individual resident entities may elect to continue contact tracing.
- Per current CDC guidance, individuals are no longer required to quarantine after a COVID-19 exposure, regardless of vaccination status or recent COVID illness, if they remain asymptomatic and do not test positive for COVID-19. Asymptomatic individuals will follow the CDC guidance if exposed to COVID-19 (What to Do If You Were Exposed to COVID-19 | CDC). Individuals shall:
- Wear a mask for 10 days after exposure to a COVID positive case.
- Monitor for symptoms for 10 days. If you exhibit COVID-like symptoms, contact your supervisor and isolate per CDC guidance (Isolation and Precautions for People with COVID-19).
- Get tested for COVID on day 6after exposure. Please note, every household in the US is now eligible to receive a third set of eight test kits free of charge. Go to http://www.covidtests.gov/ .
- If you test positive, notify your supervisor and isolate per CDC guidance (Isolation and Precautions for People with COVID-19).
- If you test negative, you may test again in 48 hours. If the second test is negative, you may remove your mask prior to the 10 days.
- NASA will discontinue COVID-19 screening testing programs tied to vaccination status, regardless of community levels. Testing is no longer required for unvaccinated employees, contractors, and visitors coming on center. Testing will continue where it is required for operational reasons (such as work that is mission critical).
- At this time, NASA will not require employees, on-site contractor employees, or visitors to provide information about their COVID-19 vaccination status via the Certification of Vaccination form, regardless of community levels.