Planning To Reopen - Phase 2 Child Programs Minimum Requirements, Part 11

6/29/2020 (Permalink)

Child care and youth-serving programs remain a critical component in Governor Charlie Baker's overall plan to reopen the state of Massachusetts and get the residents of the Commonwealth back to work. This blog highlights the minimum requirements for general on strategies for reducing the risk of transmission of COVID-19 as well as transportation as outlined in Governor Baker's administration's guidelines for reopening child and youth programs.

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

(See our "Planning to Reopen series of blogs for more information regarding CDC, EPA, 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).

These requirements apply to all child and youth-serving programs, including recreational summer programs, recreational summer camps for children, municipal or recreational youth programs not traditionally licensed as camps, family child care, and center-based child care. As more is learned about the virus guidelines are updated accordingly. Those charged with planning to reopen child and youth programs should check the both the Massachusetts department of Early Education and Care (EEC) and the CDC website regularly to make sure that they are following the latest guidance. 

Programs that are unable to must make the following changes to their operations or remain closed and reopen at a later date.

Strategies to Reduce the Risk of Transmission of COVID-19

Program managers and their staff must attempt to maintain at least 6 feet of distance at all times and limit contact between individuals and groups, whenever possible. When 6 feet is not possible, individuals should wear masks or cloth face coverings.

1. In order to encourage a distance of 6 feet between individuals, programs must have a minimum of 42 square feet per child, with 144 sq. ft. per child being the ideal to maintain proper physical distancing.
2. (2) Physical distancing must be encouraged for children and staff at all times, including but not limited to:
   1. During transitions (e.g., waiting for bathrooms)
   2. During meal times (e.g., if a cafeteria or group dining room is typically used, serve meals in classrooms instead. Put each child’s meal on a plate, to limit the use of shared serving utensils. If classroom must be used, clean and disinfect tables between meal shifts.)
   3. While traveling to and from the outdoors
   4. During all activities
   5. During sleep, rest, or quiet play time (i.e. space out seating and bedding)
   6. While using transportation (e.g., buses)
3. Limiting regular immediate contact (such as shaking or holding hands, hugging, or kissing), as well as by mediated contact.
4. Stagger drop offs/pick-ups
5. Store children’s belongings in a manner where they do not touch. Individually labeled storage containers, cubbies, or separate; designated areas must be used.
6. Stagger recess and play outside one group at a time.
7. Refrain from games and activities that encourage physical contact or proximity of less than 6 feet, like tag or circle time.
8. Spaces for children must be organized in a way that allows staff to enforce and maintain consistent physical distancing guidelines. Physically rearrange the room to promote individual play, including setting up individual play activity stations like puzzles and art. Space activity areas/centers as far apart as possible.
9. Ensure adequate supplies to minimize sharing of high touch materials to the extent possible (art supplies, equipment, etc. assigned to a single child per use) or limit use of supplies and equipment by one group of children at a time and clean and disinfect between uses. If possible, touchless trash cans should be utilized and located throughout the program space.
10. Limit gatherings, events, and extracurricular activities to those that can maintain physical distancing. Support proper hand hygiene. Do not host events that encourage non-essential adults to visit the program.
11. Close communal use spaces, such as game rooms or dining halls, if possible. If this is not possible, stagger use and disinfect in between uses or divide into two rooms. Programs may have multiple groups of ten, provided physical distancing is maintained between and within groups. When dividing rooms, create a clear barrier with cones, chairs, tables, etc. to ensure a minimum six feet of distance.
12. Where possible, arrange for administrative staff to telework from their homes.
13. Programs must limit travel off the premises for all children and staff. Programs must limit travel outside of the program, including canceling all field trips and inter-agency, or program, groups and activities. Hiking and outdoor activities may be conducted on program grounds.
14. Activities that require or may require direct staff support or close contact must not be conducted, except where necessary to support participation for children with special needs.
15. Limit the number of children permitted to use pool facilities at the same time. Determinations must consider how many people can be at the pool facility and still maintain 6 feet distancing.

Transportation

Group transportation should only be provided during the phased reopening when there is no other option to transport children to and from the program. Programs intending to provide transportation services shall follow the guidance below.

1. Parents must screen their children for symptoms prior to boarding a vehicle.
2. Physical distancing and group size requirements outlined above must be maintained while in transit. Because close seating on vehicles makes person-to-person transmission of respiratory viruses more likely, programs providing transportation to child care facilities must maximize space between riders (e.g., one rider per seat in every other row) and follow requirements for wearing masks or face coverings. Windows must be kept open.
3. If not possible nor comfortable to open windows, set ventilation system to high. Do not recirculate conditioned air.

Developing a Transportation Plan

Program managers and staff intending to provide transportation must develop a transportation plan for following health and safety protocols. Additional requirements are as follows.

1. Plans must include protocols for screening drivers, monitors, and/or children.
2. Plans must include strategies for transporting children that may have become sick but rely upon transportation provided by programs.
3. Plans must include strategies for minimizing the time children are in group transportation.
4. Plan must include schedule for routine cleaning of vehicles, detailed below.
5. Drivers and monitors must be trained on the transportation plan prior to reopening.
6. Prior to sending kids by bus, staff must perform at a minimum a visual wellness check and symptom screen.
7. Staff should assist children with washing or sanitizing hands upon arrival after exiting the bus, van, or vehicle and prior to departure before boarding the bus, van, or vehicle.

Screening Protocols

Designated staff must screen each driver and monitor before entering the vehicle following screening protocols. For a highlight of the minimum guidelines for screening protocols visit our previous blog by clicking, here.

Routine Cleaning of Vehicles

Program managers and staff must ensure the interior of each vehicle is be cleaned and either swept or vacuumed thoroughly after each morning and evening route and disinfected at least once each day.

1. Clean the area prior to disinfection to remove all surface matter.
2. Use EPA-Registered Products for Use Against Novel Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 (the cause of COVID-19) to clean high-touch surfaces, including buttons, handholds, pull cords, rails, steering wheels, door handles, shift knobs, dashboard controls, and stanchions.
3. Dust- and wet-mop vehicle floors.
4. Remove trash.
5. Wipe heat and air conditioner vents.
6. Spot cleaning walls and seats.
7. Dust horizontal surfaces.
8. Clean spills.
9. If soft or porous surfaces (e.g., fabric seats, upholstery, carpets) are visibly dirty, clean them using appropriate cleaners and then disinfect soft or porous surfaces using EPA Registered Antimicrobial Products for Use Against Novel Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2.
10. Staff should be trained to use disinfectants in a safe and effective manner and to clean up potentially infectious materials and body fluid spills.

Precautions for Transportation Operators

Program managers and staff must make sure transportation operators take the following precautions when transporting children.

1. For transit operators, potential sources of exposure include having close contact with a vehicle passenger with COVID-19, by contacting surfaces touched or handled by a person with COVID-19, or by touching your mouth, nose, or eyes.
2. Request passengers avoid standing or sitting within 6 feet of the vehicle driver, wherever possible.
3. Drivers and monitors must wear masks or face coverings. Riders over the age of 2 should be encouraged to wear masks or face coverings. For highlights of the guidance regarding masks and face coverings visit our blog by clicking, here.
4. Avoid touching surfaces often touched by vehicle passengers.
5. Use gloves if required to touch surfaces contaminated by bodily fluids.
6. Proper hand hygiene is an important infection control measure. Wash your hands regularly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially:
   1. After going to the bathroom
   2. Before eating
   3. After blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing
   4. Upon entering and exiting the vehicle.
   5. If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol.
7. Practice routine cleaning and disinfection of frequently touched surfaces, including surfaces in the driver cockpit commonly touched by the driver.
8. Ensure drivers and monitors have adequate supplies of soap, paper towels, tissues, hand sanitizers, cleaning supplies, and garbage bags.

Driver/Monitor Who Are Sick

If driver and/or monitor are sick, they must stay home and not come to work. Do not schedule them to work if they are sick.

Transportation for Children with Special Needs and Vulnerable Children

Program managers and staff must ensure the following transportation protocols are adhered to so as to ensure that children with special needs and vulnerable children who rely on transportation will be able to access program services.

1. Screenings must be conducted before children, vehicle drivers, and vehicle staff board the bus.
2. Transportation practices must adhere to physical distancing guidelines, as discussed above.
3. Vehicle drop off must be adjusted to meet physical distancing guidelines. Vehicles must off load and load one vehicle at a time, unless the location allows for enough distance between vehicles.

While the administration continues to work with communities to implement best practices and protocols 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 Norwood/West Roxbury know that not every business has access to the resources necessary to meet these strict guidelines. For those businesses, we are here to help!

Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned

The Disaster Remediation Teams at SERVPRO of Norwood/West Roxbury 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 Norwood/West Roxbury today for a free consultation - (781) 796-9125.

All of us here at SERVPRO of Norwood / West Roxbury 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!