July 14, 2020
Dear Residential Family Members and Friends,
In accordance with OPWDD’s Commissioner’s guidance of July 10, 2020, the Office of People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) recognizes the need for individuals to be reunited with family/loved ones.
Policies developed effective July 15, 2020 will ensure home visits are done as safely as possible for regions of New York State that have entered into Phase Four.
Individuals may participate in home visits only if all of the following circumstances are met, which include but are not limited to the following guidelines:
- The individual is not suspected or confirmed to have COVID -19, and is not under any quarantine or isolation requirements;
- The individual passes a health screen and temperature check immediately prior to leaving the certified residence;
- The individual washes their hands immediately prior to their departure from and return to the residence;
- The location(s) of the visit does not include: (a) a household member suspected or confirmed to have COVID – 19; (b) a household member who has been exposed to COVID -19 in the prior 14 days; or (c) a household member who displays any symptoms of COVID-19 in the preceding 14 days; AND
- Individuals on home visits must wash and sanitize their hands throughout the day, practice social distancing whenever possible and wear face covering whenever social distancing cannot be maintained in public.
- All parties participating in visits must pass our health screen prior to participating in the home visit.
Our team has done an extraordinary job of keeping those in our care healthy and safe, and we owe them a debt of gratitude. Together, we will implement OPWDD guidelines with recommendations from the CDC, DOH and GPI’s Infection Control Committee to further ensure the safety of your loved ones.
We appreciate your patience and cooperation.
If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to me directly at [email protected].
