Planning To Reopen - Phase 2 Child Programs Minimum Requirements, Part 6

6/22/2020 (Permalink)

Even though we learned that Governor Charlie Baker has delayed the beginning of Phase 3 of his plan to reopen the Commonwealth for at least one week there is still work to be done. We will continue to share the administration's  minimum guidelines for reopening child and youth programs  as the preparedness of these programs is vital to the overall success of reopening the state of Massachusetts. The following highlights the minimum requirements for isolation and discharge of sick children and or staff. 

As always, work with your local health officials to determine a set of strategies appropriate for your community’s situation.

(See our "Planning to Reopen series of blogs for more information regarding CDC, EPA, FDA, and OSHA safety requirements). To review the administration's reopening guidance from the state click here. To view Governor Baker's full report click here).

These requirements apply to all child and youth-serving programs, including recreational summer programs, recreational summer camps for children, municipal or recreational youth programs not traditionally licensed as camps, family child care, and center-based child care. As more is learned about the virus guidelines are updated accordingly. Those charged with planning to reopen child and youth programs should check the both the Massachusetts department of Early Education and Care (EEC) and the CDC website regularly to make sure that they are following the latest guidance. 

Programs that are unable to must make the following changes to their operations or remain closed and reopen at a later date.

Isolation and Discharge

Programs must take the following actions to prepare for a potential exposure.

1. Designate a separate space to isolate children or staff who may become sick, with the door closed (or a solid barrier) if possible. Isolated children must be supervised at all times. A private or separate bathroom must be made available for use by sick individuals only. Others must not enter isolation room/space without PPE appropriate to the care setting. A location with an open window and/or good air circulation is optimal. In family child care settings with one adult, staff should isolate children who may become sick using a barrier to maintain adequate supervision of all children.
2. If your facility does not have designated isolation rooms/spaces, determine a pre-specified location/facility to which you will be sending patients presenting with COVID-19 symptoms.
3. Have an emergency back-up plan for staff coverage in case a child or staff becomes sick.
4. Know the contact information for the local board of health in the city or town in which the program is located.
5. Have masks and other cloth face coverings available for use by children and staff who become symptomatic, until they have left the premises of the program.
6. Designate a separate exit from the exit used to regularly exit for those being discharged due to suspected infection.

Symptomatic - Children

If a child becomes symptomatic, programs must follow the protocols below:

1. Immediately isolate from other children and minimize exposure to staff.
2. Whenever possible, cover children’s (age 2 and older) noses and mouths with a mask or cloth face covering.
3. Contact the child’s parents and have the child picked up as soon as possible.
4. Follow the program’s plan for the transportation of a child who has developed symptoms and who relies on program transportation.

Symptomatic - Staff

If a staff member becomes symptomatic, they must cease child care duties immediately and be removed from others until they can leave. Staff must regularly self-monitor during the day to screen for new symptoms. If new symptoms are detected among a staff member, follow the requirements above for Isolation and Discharge and Symptomatic - Children.

Sick Children or Staff

Children and or Staff who are COVID-19 positive or symptomatic and presumed to have COVID-19 must not return until they have met the criteria for discontinuing home isolation and have consulted with a health care provider. Determine the date of symptom onset for the child/staff. Determine if the child/staff attended/worked at the program while symptomatic or during the two days before symptoms began. Identify what days the child/staff attended/worked during that time to determine all who had close contact with the sick individual during those days. 

If an individual tests positive for COVID-19 but is asymptomatic, isolation may be discontinued when at least 10 days have passed from the date of the positive test, as long as the individual remains asymptomatic. 

Notifying Required Parties

In the event that a program experiences an exposure, programs must notify the following parties.

1. Employees and families about exposure but maintain confidentiality.
2. Local board of health if a child or staff is COVID-19 positive.
3. Funding and licensing agencies if a child or staff member has tested positive.

Self-Isolating

In the event that a staff member or child is exposed  or has potentially been exposed to a sick or symptomatic person, the following protocols must be followed.

1. If a child or staff has been exposed to COVID-19, regardless of whether the individual has symptoms or not, the child or staff must not be permitted to enter the program space and must be sent home. Exposed individuals must be directed to stay home for at least 14 days after the last day of contact with the person who is sick. The program must consult the local board of health for guidance on quarantine for other children and staff and what additional precautions will be needed to ensure the program space is safe for continued child care services.
2. If an exposed child or staff subsequently tests positive or their doctor says they have confirmed or probable COVID-19, they must be directed to stay home for a minimum of 10 days from the 1st day of symptoms appearing AND be fever-free for 72 hours without fever reducing medications AND experience significant improvements in symptoms. Release from isolation is under the jurisdiction of the local board of health where the individual resides.
3. If a child’s household member or staff’s household member tests positive for COVID-19, the child or staff must self-quarantine for 14 days after the last time they could have been exposed.

Quarantine

If an exposed child or staff remains asymptomatic and/or tests negative for COVID-19 they must remain in quarantine and continue to monitor for the full 14 days.

While the administration continues to work with communities to implement best practices and protocols we will continue to share with you guidance from the CDC, FDA, OSHA and the Governor's office to follow as we prepare for reopening. Also, we at SERVPRO of Newton/Wellesley know that not every business has access to the resources necessary to meet these strict guidelines. For those businesses, we are here to help!

Certified SERVPRO Clean

The Disaster Remediation Teams at SERVPRO of Newton/Wellesley are specialists in cleaning services and we adhere to the highest cleaning and sanitation standards. We are prepared to clean and disinfect your home or business, according to protocols set forth by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. We have years of experience in dealing with biological contaminants, and we will go beyond the scope of work of "normal daily cleaning". Call SERVPRO of Newton/Wellesley today for a free consultation - (617) 332-9000.

All of us here at SERVPRO of Newton/Wellesley want you and your loved ones to stay safe and know that we will make it through this together! Rest assured, we will continue to do our best to keep you up-to-date and informed!