Dear Guild Community,
The following is a summary of current COVID-related guidance applying to The Guild for Human Services. Given the ever-changing circumstances of the pandemic, these practices are subject to alteration by government directive or pressing events.
Masks: Anyone entering any Guild facility must wear a mask, no matter their vaccination status. This includes families visiting group homes. Residents need not wear a mask in their own homes. Guild staff must wear a mask outside if working within three (3) feet of a resident or student.
COVID Testing: Per mandate by the Executive Office of Health and Human Services, The Guild conducts COVID surveillance testing of all staff weekly, no matter their vaccination status. As this is a state requirement, The Guild will employ progressive disciplinary measures to enforce weekly testing of staff. Weekly testing of residents and students is not required at this point.
Vaccinations: The Guild continues to offer the Pfizer COVID vaccine to any student, resident, staff member or family member over the age of 12. Please contact Maureen Costello-Shea, if you wish to schedule a vaccination. The Guild will begin offering booster shots of both Pfizer and Moderna vaccines in October 2021, per FDA guidance.
Visitation: Both on-site and off-site visitation continues for all Guild residents except when there is a potential COVID exposure at the home. All visitors must wear masks when indoors. Food and drink may only be shared outdoors. Full details are available in The Guild’s visitation protocols.
Response to Suspected or Confirmed Cases of COVID-19: Given the availability of vaccinations and varied government directives, The Guild’s response to suspected or confirmed cases of COVID-19 is tiered as shown in this flow chart. Please note, The Guild’s residences utilize isolation and quarantine procedures as directed by public health officials.
COVID-Related Pay: Shelter-in-place quarantines will be subject to “enhanced pay” rates. Otherwise, essential workers will continue to work regular shifts at the agreed upon rate. To protect essential workers from COVID-19, The Guild continues to offer all staff with access to COVID vaccinations and will make booster shots available in October 2021 per FDA guidelines.
In the event a staff member must self-isolate due to COVID exposure or infection, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts offers limited pay through a COVID sick bank for those who miss work due to infection through September 30, 2021. The Commonwealth’s sick bank pays up to 40 hours of time for full-time employees and no greater than $850. Additionally, that staff may use personal time, floating holidays and/or vacation time to continue to receive pay during isolation.
As always, if you have questions or concerns about these updates, please do not hesitate to reach out to members of The Guild’s leadership team or me directly.
Sincerely,
