Weekend Respite COVID-19 Protocols

Fall 2021

Easterseals Eastern PA will be implementing the following policies based on guidance from CDC, OSHA, ACA and ODP.

GUIDING PRINCIPLES
The safety of the individuals we serve, employees, contractors and volunteers is a top priority. In light of COVID-19, we are taking additional precautions on top of our long-established health and safety measures to ensure we are mitigating the risk of COVID-19 at weekend respite.

Members of the Easterseals respite staff are required to be vaccinated for COVID-19 as a condition of employment. The program will adhere to current state, county and local regulations related to COVID-19 capacity limits.

Information from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) website and the American Camp Association Field Guide for Implementation of CDC Guidance were used in the creation of this plan.

BEHAVIORS TO REDUCE SPREAD
COVID19 signs/symptoms
People with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms reported – ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. Anyone can have mild to severe symptoms. People with these symptoms may have COVID-19:

• Fever or chills
• Cough
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Fatigue
• Muscle or body aches
• Headache
• New loss of taste or smell
• Sore throat
• Congestion or runny nose
• Nausea or vomiting
• Diarrhea

This list does not include all possible symptoms. Visit the CDC website for the most up-to-date information about symptoms of COVID-19 and what to do if you are sick.

Education materials on COVID-19 signs/symptoms/prevention will be included in packets provided to individuals planning to attend weekend respite. At time of entrance, staff will provide additional material and/or direction to participants. Posters and educational material will be posted throughout the physical site as reminders to proper handwashing, coughing/sneezing etiquette, social distancing, mask use, etc.

Screening Prior to Weekend Respite Session

• Participants will be required to fill out a prescreening log (found in CampDocs) for 10 days prior to their arrival at Weekend Respite. This prescreening includes daily COVID-19 questionnaires and temperature logs.
• Anyone answering any prescreening question positively or having a fever higher than 100 degrees Fahrenheit in the 10 days prior to Weekend Respite may not attend without a negative COVID-19 test. The test must be from 1-3 days prior to the weekend.
• Fully vaccinated staff and participants with no COVID-19 symptoms do not need to quarantine or be tested following an exposure to someone with suspected or confirmed COVID-19.
• Participants will be required to submit a signed COVID-19 Notice of Risk and Responsibility before arriving at Weekend Respite.
• Participants will not be allowed into the program area if they have not completed the above screening (including temperature log) and signed COVID-19 Notice of Risk and Responsibility.

Screening & Monitoring during Weekend Respite
Health Screening Data for Weekend Respite participants will be logged in Easterseals ClearPass app. The screening will include a health questionnaire and temperature check. Screening questions include:

• Do you have flu-like symptoms, such as fever of 100.4 or higher, an unproductive/dry cough, shortness of breath, sore throat or diarrhea?
• Have you been in close contact in the last 14 days with someone diagnosed with COVID-19?
• Required field to enter temperature.

Arrival:

• Upon arrival on Friday, participants will be screened while in their vehicles.
• Asymptomatic participants with a satisfactory health screening will perform hand hygiene and enter the program area.
• Vaccinated participants that pass the temperature check and are not exhibiting any symptoms will perform hand hygiene and enter the program area.
• Participants that fail the temperature check or are exhibiting symptoms will be sent home immediately.
• We ask that only one parent or guardian accompany the participant to drop-off/pick-up. Easterseals reserves the right to limit the number of people allowed in cabins or lodging areas during drop-off.
• Families must adhere to scheduled drop-off and pick-up times. Anyone arriving early will be required to wait in their vehicle.

Daily Health Checks:

• Respite staff will self-screen daily using the Easterseals ClearPass app and must pass the screening. The screening will include a health questionnaire and temperature check. If a member of the respite staff fails the screening, the staff person will not render face-to-face services and back-up plans will be implemented.
• Participants will be screened daily in the morning before exiting their lodging. The screening will include a health questionnaire and temperature check.
• Asymptomatic participants with a satisfactory health screening will perform hand hygiene and be permitted to exit the lodge and enter the program area.
• When a participants fails the screening or temperature check, the individual will be isolated in the nurse’s office (holding area) to wait while their emergency contact person is notified that they must be picked up immediately. Surgical mask will be provided to be worn while waiting for pick-up.
• Participants who begin exhibiting symptoms during the day will be isolated in the nurse’s office (holding area) to wait while their emergency contact person is notified that they must be picked up immediately. A surgical mask will be provided to be worn while waiting for pick-up.

Face Masks/Coverings
Weekend Respite participants must bring their own personal mask(s) to wear as needed.

Participants and staff must wear a mask that covers the nose and mouth. The mask must be a cloth covering or other mask that offers a higher degree of protection. Plastic face shields are not acceptable alternatives to masks.

In accordance with current Center for Disease Control (CDC) guidance, cloth face coverings should meet all the following criteria:

• Have two or more layers of washable, breathable fabric.
• Completely cover the nose and mouth.
• Fit snugly but comfortably against the side of the face and have no gaps.
• Allow for breathing without restriction.
• Be able to be laundered and machine dried without damage or change to shape.

Participants must wear a mask when:

• Indoors or in an enclosed space, where another person or persons who are not members of the individual’s household are present in the same space, irrespective of physical distance.
• Outdoors when unable to maintain sustained physical distance.
• Waiting in a public area irrespective of physical distance.

Do not wear a mask when doing activities that could get your mask wet, like swimming. A wet mask can make it difficult to breathe and might not work.

Masks are not required for anyone who has trouble breathing, is unconscious, incapacitated, or otherwise unable to remove the covering without assistance. If an individual has trouble breathing or other medical or mental health conditions that may be worsened with wearing a mask, seek clarification with the individual’s health care practitioner regarding mask use.

Masks are required for staff and participants even if they are communicating or seeking to communicate with someone who has a hearing impairment or has another disability, where the ability to see the mouth is essential for communication. The use of a clear masks can be utilized in this scenario.

If an individual attending Weekend Respite has a difficult time wearing a mask, efforts will be taken by staff to assist the individual with mask tolerance. If after working with the individual to encourage mask use, the individual is still only able to tolerate wearing a mask or face covering for only a short period of time, the individual should wear a mask or face covering during activities that may have an increased risk of transmission of COVID-19. For example, the mask or face covering should be worn during the following:

• Personal care activities.
• During transfers.
• Activities that result in vocal projection such as watching sports, singing, playing games, shouting, etc.

If participants are not compliant with safety regulations at all times, which results in increased health risks for other individuals, they will not be permitted to continue participation. Easterseals will work with and provide needed supports within its capabilities but as a last resort, will request their pickup.

Please note: Cloth face coverings are not considered Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and should not be worn in place of recommended PPE when caring for an individual with COVID-19.

To learn more about Face Coverings, visit the CDC webpage about masks.

Social Distancing/Physical Distancing
Social distancing, also called physical distancing, means keeping a safe space between yourself and other people who are not from your household. To practice social or physical distancing at Weekend Respite:

• Stay at least 3 feet from all respite participants/staff.
• Stay at least 6 feet from others while eating and drinking.

To promote social distancing, Easterseals Weekend Respite will take the following additional steps:

• Program activities will allow for adequate social distancing. This includes indoor/outdoor activities, including tables, workstations, sleeping quarters, etc.
• Signs, stickers and other visuals will be posted on floors and walls to encourage social distancing measures of 6 feet.
• Participants' belongings will be placed in individual cubbies/spots, away from others' belongings.
• Beds will be placed 6 feet apart, alternating head-to-toe.
• Enrollment for each session will be limited.
• No visitors will be allowed at Weekend Respite except for those cleared by Easterseals. Visitors that are cleared by Easterseals must also complete a pre-screening questionnaire and temperature check.

Hand Hygiene
The CDC recommends washing your hands frequently and avoiding touching your face. Wash your hands when entering and leaving the home or community setting; when adjusting or putting on or off facemasks or cloth face coverings; or before putting on and after taking off disposable gloves. Handwashing and sanitizing stations will be provided in several areas, and mandatory handwashing times will be scheduled during Weekend Respite programming.

Follow these five steps when washing your hands:

1. Wet your hands with clean, running water (warm or cold), turn off the tap, and apply soap.
2. Lather your hands by rubbing them together with the soap. Lather the backs of your hands, between your fingers, and under your nails.
3. Scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds. Need a timer? Hum the “Happy Birthday” song from beginning to end twice.
4. Rinse your hands well under clean, running water.
5. Dry your hands using a clean towel or air dry them.

Visit the CDC website to learn more about hand washing.

Coughing & Sneezing Etiquette
Covering coughs and sneezes and keeping hands clean can help prevent the spread of serious respiratory illnesses like COVID-19. Germs can be easily spread by:

• Coughing, sneezing, or talking.
• Touching your face with unwashed hands after touching contaminated surfaces or objects.
• Touching surfaces or objects that may be frequently touched by other people.

Covering coughs and sneezes and washing hands are especially important for infection control measures. To help stop the spread of germs:

• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.
• Throw used tissues in the trash.
• If you don’t have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your elbow, not your hands. Remember to immediately wash your hands after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing.
• If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 percent alcohol. Hand sanitizer stations will be set up throughout the program area.

Cleaning and Disinfection
To minimize transfer of COVID-19 at Weekend Respite, cleaning methods will be employed to reduce risk to participants and staff. Cleaning methods will follow the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidance.

• Shared spaces will be cleaned and disinfected daily with supplies that meet EPA Certification Standards.
• Doors will remain open whenever possible to allow for proper ventilation and reduced touching.
• Sinks where brushing teeth/washing hands, water faucets, showers, etc. will be cleaned and disinfected daily. Participantswill be assigned a sink, toilet and shower to use throughout their stay.
• Where appropriate, sanitizing wipes will be provided to sanitize items between uses.
• Program areas, cabins and bathrooms will be cleaned and disinfected daily.
• Masks and gloves will be required for serving of food.
• Sanitizing procedures will be in accordance with Centers for Disease Control (CDC), American Camping Association and PA Department of Health guidelines.
• Sanitizing products will come from the CDC approved list of products to neutralize COVID-19.
• Staff will be required to attend Easterseals training on proper cleaning procedures for COVID-19.

Shared Objects

• Shared objects will be cleaned and disinfected between uses.
• We will try to limit the use of objects that are difficult to clean, sanitize or disinfect.
• Where possible, we will assign items to cohorts to reduce the quantity of items shared.
• Each participant’s belongings will be kept separated from others’ and in individually labeled containers, cubbies or areas.

Ventilation
Activities will occur outside as much as possible. If activities are held indoors, we will bring in as much fresh air into camp buildings as possible by opening windows and doors, using fans to increase the effectiveness of open windows, and decreasing occupancy in areas where ventilation cannot be increased.

Sinks/Water Faucets/Showers
Participants will be assigned to a sink, one toilet and one shower in their individual cabin that they will use for the duration of the week. In sleeping lodges, door handles, toilet handles, faucet handles and shower handles will be cleaned and disinfected daily. For restroom facilities not in the sleeping lodge, door handles, toilet handles and faucet handles will be cleaned and disinfected three times per day (morning, noon and evening).

Outdoor Areas
High-touch surfaces made of plastic or metal, such as grab bars, swings, play structures and railings will be cleaned and disinfected daily.

Cleaning and disinfection of wooden surfaces (such as wood play structures, benches, tables) or groundcovers (such as mulch and sand) is not recommended or required.

Meals
There will be monitored and mandatory hand washing before and after meal service. All meals will be served using disposable or one-use dishes and utensils. Maintain 6 feet from others while eating and drinking.

MAINTAINING HEALTHY OPERATIONS

Protections for High Risk Individuals
Easterseals requires all Weekend Respite staff to be fully vaccinated prior to the start of camp. Easterseals also requires nurses, aides or other support staff accompanying a respite participant to provide proof of a vaccination upon check-in.

Regulatory Awareness
Easterseals will monitor local or state regulatory agency policies related to group gatherings to determine if modifications to our plan need to occur. All modifications will be communicated to respite staff, and participants and their families.

Gathering, Visitors and Trips Off Site
Program activities will allow for adequate social distancing. This includes indoor/outdoor activities. Signs, stickers and other visuals will be posted on floors and walls to encourage social distancing measures of 6 feet.

There will be no trips off site.

No Visitors will be allowed in Weekend Respite program areas except those cleared by Easterseals. Visitors who are cleared by Easterseals must complete a pre-screening questionnaire and temperature check before entering the site. Health Screening Data for visitors will be logged in Easterseals ClearPass app.

Designated COVID19 Point of Contact
The Weekend Respite director will be responsible for handling any COVID-19 concerns during the weekend and will notify Easterseals program operations manager for further instructions. Participants and their families will be given the director’s contact information prior to the weekend.

Shared Facilities
Weekend Respite is hosted at the Pocono Environmental Education Center and utilizes several shared spaces with other groups. Communication regarding shared spaces will occur between the Weekend Respite director and PEEC’s director of group and grant coordination.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF RECEIPT
Weekend Respite participants must submit a signed verification that they have received a copy of these protocols, and agree to follow written and verbal safety guidelines and to participate with their own safety and the safety of others in mind.

PLAN CONTENT
Easterseals Weekend Respite COVID-19 Protocols were last updated on August 30, 2021.

Content is based on information from the CDC website and the PA Department of Health website.