Planning To Reopen - Phase 1

5/19/2020 (Permalink)

After being shut down for more than two months, yesterday, Governor Charlie Baker presented his long awaited response to reopening the state of Massachusetts. Manufacturing and construction businesses can reopen immediately. Places like offices, hair salons and car washes can reopen next Monday ONLY IF those businesses meet a series of state-mandated health and safety requirements. The pace of Massachusetts' phased-in reopening plan will be determined by six public health metrics. Baker said each phase of the reopening plan will last "at least three weeks," but that the timeline could change depending on how those metrics trend.

(See our "Planning to Reopen series of blogs for more information regarding CDC, FDA, and OSHA safety requirements). To review the administration's reopening guidance from the state click here. To view Governor Baker's full report click here).

Governor Baker also shed additional light on the importance of safe daycare services as employees return to work. Screening is an important component of any well rounded plan to open safely. The following are CDC approved examples aimed to help Child Care services implement the necessary levels of screening. 

(As always, work with your local health officials to determine a set of strategies appropriate for your community’s situation.)

CDC Examples of screening methods - social distancing

• Ask parents/guardians to take their child’s temperature either before coming to the facility or upon arrival at the facility. Upon their arrival, stand at least 6 feet away from the parent/guardian and child.
• Ask the parent/guardian to confirm that the child does not have fever, shortness of breath or cough.
• Make a visual inspection of the child for signs of illness which could include flushed cheeks, rapid breathing or difficulty breathing (without recent physical activity), fatigue, or extreme fussiness.

According to the CDC, you do not need to wear personal protective equipment (PPE) if you can maintain a distance of 6 feet.

CDC Examples of screening methods - barrier/partition controls

• Stand behind a physical barrier, such as a glass or plastic window or partition that can serve to protect the staff member’s face and mucous membranes from respiratory droplets that may be produced if the child being screened sneezes, coughs, or talks.
• Make a visual inspection of the child for signs of illness, which could include flushed cheeks, rapid breathing or difficulty breathing (without recent physical activity), fatigue, or extreme fussiness.
• Conduct temperature screening (follow steps below)
  • Perform hand hygiene
  • Wash your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
• Put on disposable gloves.
• Check the child’s temperature, reaching around the partition or through the window.
• Make sure your face stays behind the barrier at all times during the screening.
• When performing a temperature check on multiple individuals, ensure that you use a clean pair of gloves for each child and that the thermometer has been thoroughly cleaned in between each check.
• If you use disposable or non-contact (temporal) thermometers and you did not have physical contact with the child, you do not need to change gloves before the next check.
• If you use non-contact thermometers, clean them with an alcohol wipe (or isopropyl alcohol on a cotton swab) between each client. You can reuse the same wipe as long as it remains wet.

CDC Examples of screening methods - personal protective equipment

If social distancing or barrier/partition controls cannot be implemented during screening, personal protective equipment (PPE) can be used when within 6 feet of a child.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Reliance on PPE alone is a less effective control and more difficult to implement given training requirements and potential PPE shortages.

• Upon arrival, wash your hands and put on a facemask, eye protection (goggles or disposable face shield that fully covers the front and sides of the face), and a single pair of disposable gloves. A gown could be considered if extensive contact with a child is anticipated.
• Make a visual inspection of the child for signs of illness, which could include flushed cheeks, rapid breathing or difficulty breathing (without recent physical activity), fatigue, or extreme fussiness, and confirm that the child is not experiencing coughing or shortness of breath.
• Take the child’s temperature.
  • When performing a temperature check on multiple individuals, ensure that you use a clean pair of gloves for each child and that the thermometer has been thoroughly cleaned in between each check.
  • If you use disposable or non-contact (temporal) thermometers and did not have physical contact with an individual, you do not need to change gloves before the next check.
  • If you use non-contact thermometers, clean them with an alcohol wipe (or isopropyl alcohol on a cotton swab) between each client. You can reuse the same wipe as long as it remains wet.
• After each screening, remove and discard PPE, and wash hands.
• Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol or wash hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
• If hands are visibly soiled, soap and water should be used before using alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• If your staff does not have experience in using PPE:
  • Check to see if your facility has guidance on how to don and doff PPE. The procedure to don and doff should be tailored to the specific type of PPE that you have available at your facility.
  • Follow the CDC recommended sequences for applying and removing PPE.  

We will continue to share with you guidance from the CDC, FDA, OSHA and the Governor's office to follow as we prepare for reopening. Also, we at SERVPRO of Newton/Wellesley know that not every business has access to the resources necessary to meet these strict guidelines. For those businesses, we are here to help!

Specialized Training

The Disaster Remediation Teams at SERVPRO of Newton/Wellesley are specialists in cleaning services and we adhere to the highest cleaning and sanitation standards. We are prepared to clean and disinfect your home or business, according to protocols set forth by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. We have years of experience in dealing with biological contaminants, and we will go beyond the scope of work of "normal daily cleaning". Call SERVPRO of Newton/Wellesley today for a free consultation - (617) 332-9000.

All of us here at SERVPRO of Newton/Wellesley want you and your loved ones to stay safe and know that we will make it through this together! Rest assured, we will continue to do our best to keep you up-to-date and informed!