I hope you are safe and well during this very challenging time. As you may recall OPWDD issued visitation guidelines during the pandemic to ensure that we are doing our best to decrease the potential for spread to this very vulnerable population. Yesterday we received updated guidance that essentially mirrors the previous guidance. Please see below for the specific information that you will need to follow to ensure we comply with the new guidance. As always, I thank you for your anticipated cooperation as we move through this current surge of Covid activity.

Residential Program Visitation Guidelines

No visitation will be allowed in homes where there is a suspected or positive case of Covid-19

A maximum of 2 people will be permitted for each visit. Visitors must be 18 years of age or older.

Scheduling

• Visitors must call the Manager to schedule a half hour visit with their loved one. This will allow for each family’s visitation requests to be accommodated on any given day.
• Visits must be scheduled at least 24 hours in advance with house management.
• Manager will maintain a master schedule of all visitations to ensure no overlapping of visits and enough time between visits to sanitize all surfaces.
• Visitation hours will be between the hours of 2-7pm Monday through Friday and 10-6pm weekends and holidays.
• All people supported in the house should be notified ahead of time that visitors will be present, and they should be advised how to remain socially distant from them.
• Potential visitors are asked to abstain from visiting if someone who they live with has symptoms or has tested positive for Covid-19.

Screening

• Staff (to the extent possible Management, Nursing and/or AMAP staff) will utilize the screening checklist and ensure both temperature, symptom checks, and required screening questions are completed prior to entrance into house.
• All visitors must present with no symptoms and a temperature below 99.9 for the visit to proceed.
• Documentation of required screening is to be kept on the Visitor Log.
• Visitor is required to wear face covering. If they do not have an appropriate face covering, a surgical mask will be supplied for the visit.
• Once screened, visitor will be required to wash hands in the designated bathroom or use appropriate hand sanitizer. Visitors must perform meticulous hand hygiene throughout the visit.
• The manager will designate a bathroom for use throughout the visit.

Visit

• As much as possible, staff must ensure visits take place outdoors with proper social distancing, or in bedrooms if individuals have a single bedroom. Homes can designate a space in the home for private visitation, if available. Examples include recreation rooms, offices, extra den. The use of other people’s bedrooms or common space in the house is not permitted.
• Family dining during the visit is not permitted as visitors must keep a face covering in place however, you may bring food for your loved one to enjoy.
• Privacy should be provided to the extent possible during all visits. Visitors should follow all safety precautions and protocols.
• Visitors need to be mindful of the visitation time frames to ensure that all people supported have the ability to spend time with their loved ones.

Stay well,

Stanfort J. Perry
Executive Director