DOH Issues Updated Isolation and Quarantine Guidance
On Jan. 14th, the Department of Health (DOH) issued updated isolation and quarantine guidance that supersedes the return to work guidance issued on Dec. 24th, which was generally for all essential workers, including social services workers, and those working in residential settings. Therefore, the Jan. 14th guidance will apply to housing, social adult day, and other unlicensed services that provide supportive essential services. The guidance also serves as the isolation and quarantine guidance for the general public. To access the full guidance and its corresponding charts to help determine an individual’s course of action, click here.
Members should note that the guidance does not pertain to health care workers. It was intended to incorporate the most recent Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance from Dec. 27th and was not issued directly to health care providers. The document affirms that the Jan. 4, 2022 DOH Interim Advisory on Return-to-Work Protocols for Healthcare Workers remains in effect. Thus, return to work guidance is unchanged for staff in nursing homes, adult care facilities (ACFs), home care, hospice, adult day health care (ADHC), and other health care providers.
The Jan. 14th guidance also provides caveats for residents of congregate settings and special populations. It notes that the CDC’s recommendations for shortened quarantine and isolation do not apply to certain congregate settings with high risk and states: “Other congregate settings should continue to implement 10-day quarantine or isolation for residents/clients including adult care facilities, OPWDD facilities, and some OMH facilities, depending on ability of residents/clients in the OMH facilities to wear a mask, socially distance, and follow other mitigation measures.” It also states that nursing homes should continue to follow all relevant Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and CDC guidance for isolation and quarantine of residents and work furlough of staff. Members should note that this caveat will apply to registrants in ADHC who are in the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) or Office of Mental Health (OMH) system.
Contact: Meg Everett, meverett@leadingageny.org, 518-929-9342