ODP Updated Guidance Regarding Temporary Day Service Facility Closures

ODP Announcement 20-101 has been updated regarding temporary closure guidance for older adult daily living centers, structured day programs, LIFE Day Centers, adult training facilities, and vocational facilities. This guidance is related to the community spread of COVID-19 and when an individual or staff member is diagnosed with COVID-19 and has spent 15 minutes or more in the facility “within a 24 hour period starting from two days before illness onset (or, for asymptomatic patients, two days prior to test specimen collection) and ending with the time the person is isolated”. Additionally, this announcement describes the process for re-opening facilities by using the Community Participation Support and Older Adult Facility Reopening Tool.

Changes noted within the announcement include:

When facilities are in communities in moderate level of community spread, “Facilities may choose to close, stay closed, remain open, or reopen if previously closed. If a facility remains open or reopens while the level of community transmission is moderate, it is recommended that the facility” increase mitigation measures related to COVID-19, including but not limited to (1) informing participants with high risk needs of the “moderate” level of community transmission designation; (2) considering reduction in the number of service days to provide for additional cleaning; (3) reducing, or at a minimum, not expanding current capacity; and (4) making alternative transportation plans for anyone using public transit or multi-passenger vehicles with passengers from multiple locations.

When facilities are in communities in substantial level of community spread, the recommendation is for the facility to close or remain “closed until the level of community transmission returns to and remains in low or moderate for 14 days”.

“Should a facility remain open or re-open, it is recommended that the provider review the health risks of the individuals the provider serves and the behavioral risks (e.g. ability to tolerate masks, hand hygiene, social distancing) of COVID-19 transmission for the individuals. Providers should review the COVID-19 mitigation strategies used during transportation and service provision to determine whether additional COVID-19 mitigation strategies need to be implemented as a result of an increase in community transmission in the county where the provider operates. Providers should develop plans to protect the health and safety of their staff and the individuals they serve as well as the families of staff and of the individuals served that include the following:

• Changes to the method of service delivery and how staff will be deployed (e.g. remote versus in-person or in-home versus in congregate settings);
• Enhancements to existing or implementation of additional COVID-19 mitigation strategies in alignment with applicable COVID-19 guidance; and
• Communication of changes the provider has made to individuals, families, supports coordinators, and any other affected providers.”

Please see ODP Announcement 20-101 for all updates.