Dear Buckner Team:

With the ongoing rapid spread of COVID-19, also known as the coronavirus, the Executive Leadership is initiating new and updated protocols for staff. As of an ELT safety briefing yesterday, the following decisions have been made:

• Founder’s Day, scheduled for April 9, has been postponed.
• The Buckner Family Hope Center ribbon cutting and grand opening, scheduled for April 24 has been postponed.
• All groups using Camp Buckner are being notified that effective immediately through April 30 Camp will not be hosting any groups. The situation will be re-evaluated in mid-April. The Camp Buckner team, with help from Church Engagement, will contact all groups currently scheduled to inform them of the decision.
• All international mission trips through May 31 have been suspended and the situation will be re-evaluated at the end of April.
• All staff should use discretion about domestic business travel. Only travel deemed critical should be made and requires the approval of the senior leader for your department, corporation, or local facility. This includes air travel and all land vehicles and modes of transportation.
• Effective at noon on Friday, March 13, access to all BRS campuses will be limited for all outside visitors with the exception of immediate family members. “Limiting” access means the individual should not be allowed to come into the facility except for certain situations, such as end-of-life situations or when a visitor is essential to the resident’s emotional well-being and care.
• ELT, BRS leadership and BCFS leadership have instituted regular calls to monitor the coronavirus situation and to adapt plans and protocols as necessary.

Other steps we’re taking include:

• Coordinating with local government agencies, first responders and health care facilities in case emergency response is needed for clients or staff.
• Regularly reviewing campus and location emergency preparedness procedures and preparing employees through information and education.
• Specifically discussing COVID-19 safety precautions and risk prevention at staff meetings.
• Communicating with clients about the measures Buckner is taking to reasonably protect our locations from the virus.
• Providing Buckner safety communications and posters for prominent display at all locations for clients and staff.

This situation requires that we all work together for safety and protection of our co-workers and those we serve. Some specific ways you can help include:

• Stay home if you are experiencing cold or flu-like symptoms, fever or respiratory infection.
• If you are sick, avoid contact with others, especially those who have compromised immune systems.
• Do not come to the Support Center or a Buckner campus if you or someone in your household is experiencing cold or flu-like symptoms, fever or potentially has a respiratory infection.
• Do not come to the Support Center or a Buckner campus if you or someone you have been in contact with traveled to any coronavirus-affected country or area within the last 21 days.
• Consult CDC guidelines and limit any unnecessary international travel if possible.
• Follow all infectious disease control precautions.
• Report any concerns to your immediate supervisor.

If you or a family member is experiencing cold, flu-like symptoms, fever, cough or other respiratory symptoms medical care may be needed. Buckner offers members of its Medical Plan convenient doctor visits through our virtual medical care program, MDLIVE. 

• You can register today. Go to MDLIVE.COM/BCBSTX. Enter your first and last name, date of birth and Buckner Health Plan member ID number.
• Download the App.
• You can access a doctor virtually or you can call 1-888-680-8646 to speak with a health service specialist and/or doctor 24/7/365. 

The safety and protection of those we serve and our Buckner staff are of the highest priority and we are committed to doing everything reasonably possible to meet that goal. I appreciate your flexibility and adaptability to what is a very fluid and changing situation. There will no doubt be more initiatives implements in the coming days.

Thank you for being part of a team that puts those we serve and your co-workers first.

Additional Information
For additional questions and concerns please contact your supervisor.