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QUESTION: With the CDC relaxing their mask wearing guidelines and many state and local entities removing mask mandates, how are agencies handling their internal mask wearing policies? Are agencies maintaining the same level of mask wearing or have they relaxed their standards? As a company we have relaxed our guidelines, if you are vaccinated you don’t have to wear a mask unless you choose too. If not vaccinated, we ask that you still wear a mask and encourage you to get vaccinated. We are still requiring our staff to wear masks at all times and take temps in between meetings with clients. We have maintained our mask policy in residential settings and in our administrative offices. To my knowledge, the state’s policy for PPE in group homes has not changed and requires a medical-grade mask at all times and eye protection when staff are working within 6 feet of a client. We continue to maintain the same safety requirements, including masks, social distancing and daily temperature taking. We made wearing masks optional starting June 1, 2021. We encourage both staff and persons served to wear masks if they haven’t been vaccinated. We have many individuals who have been sitting out of services for more than a year because they couldn’t or wouldn’t wear a mask. With the new CDC guidelines, the low rate of positive cases in our area, and the fact that most of our clients and many of our clients have been vaccinated, we believe the risk of a COVID outbreak is low. We are following the CDC guidelines for LTC facilities whenever persons served are present. We have relaxed some of our guidelines in office settings when space allows or everyone has been vaccinated. Masks are still required in all of our buildings. We have relaxed standards, not requiring but encouraging to wear a mask if not vaccinated. At this time, we have lifted our requirement for all employees to wear masks. We are only recommending that non-vaccinated employees/individuals wear a mask. We are presenting a proposal to our Board next week to no longer require masks of staff or clients who are vaccinated. We will continue with cleaning protocol. Below is what we have recently sent to all of our staff: Over the past year with COVID-19 we have prioritized more than ever the health and safety of our clients and staff. In doing so, the wearing of masks was necessary to minimize the spread of COVID here at XX. Guidelines about the wearing of masks are changing as vaccinations are readily available. We remain committed to protecting our clients and staff, recognizing that we serve a vulnerable population who need us to be healthy in that service. Today we share with you an updated mask policy at XX. Effective ____________(effective date), our mask policy is as follows: Masks will continue to be worn at all times during interactions with clients regardless of vaccination status. Masks will continue to be worn in areas where it is likely you will be around or will interact with clients regardless of vaccination status, including the lobby area as this area is regularly utilized by clients. For those fully vaccinated, masks may be removed within XX facilities when not with clients or it is not likely you will be around or interact with clients. This updated policy is based on the premise that everyone will make good decisions that are in the best interest of the health and safety of everyone. If you have any questions specific to the wearing of masks in your program or department, please talk with your immediate supervisor. This information is a compilation of suggestions, ideas, and opinions shared by INARF Members in response to the featured question. This information should not be considered official interpretation or guidance of State or Federal Policy. Additionally, statements within this document do not necessarily reflect an official position or opinion of INARF.
QUESTION: With the CDC relaxing their mask wearing guidelines and many state and local entities removing mask mandates, how are agencies handling their internal mask wearing policies? Are agencies maintaining the same level of mask wearing or have they relaxed their standards?
As a company we have relaxed our guidelines, if you are vaccinated you don’t have to wear a mask unless you choose too. If not vaccinated, we ask that you still wear a mask and encourage you to get vaccinated.
We are still requiring our staff to wear masks at all times and take temps in between meetings with clients.
We have maintained our mask policy in residential settings and in our administrative offices. To my knowledge, the state’s policy for PPE in group homes has not changed and requires a medical-grade mask at all times and eye protection when staff are working within 6 feet of a client.
We continue to maintain the same safety requirements, including masks, social distancing and daily temperature taking.
We made wearing masks optional starting June 1, 2021. We encourage both staff and persons served to wear masks if they haven’t been vaccinated. We have many individuals who have been sitting out of services for more than a year because they couldn’t or wouldn’t wear a mask. With the new CDC guidelines, the low rate of positive cases in our area, and the fact that most of our clients and many of our clients have been vaccinated, we believe the risk of a COVID outbreak is low.
We are following the CDC guidelines for LTC facilities whenever persons served are present. We have relaxed some of our guidelines in office settings when space allows or everyone has been vaccinated. Masks are still required in all of our buildings.
We have relaxed standards, not requiring but encouraging to wear a mask if not vaccinated.
At this time, we have lifted our requirement for all employees to wear masks. We are only recommending that non-vaccinated employees/individuals wear a mask.
We are presenting a proposal to our Board next week to no longer require masks of staff or clients who are vaccinated. We will continue with cleaning protocol.
Below is what we have recently sent to all of our staff:
Over the past year with COVID-19 we have prioritized more than ever the health and safety of our clients and staff. In doing so, the wearing of masks was necessary to minimize the spread of COVID here at XX. Guidelines about the wearing of masks are changing as vaccinations are readily available. We remain committed to protecting our clients and staff, recognizing that we serve a vulnerable population who need us to be healthy in that service.
Today we share with you an updated mask policy at XX.
Effective ____________(effective date), our mask policy is as follows:
Masks will continue to be worn at all times during interactions with clients regardless of vaccination status.
Masks will continue to be worn in areas where it is likely you will be around or will interact with clients regardless of vaccination status, including the lobby area as this area is regularly utilized by clients.
For those fully vaccinated, masks may be removed within XX facilities when not with clients or it is not likely you will be around or interact with clients.
This updated policy is based on the premise that everyone will make good decisions that are in the best interest of the health and safety of everyone. If you have any questions specific to the wearing of masks in your program or department, please talk with your immediate supervisor.