DOH issued updated protocols for Health Care Providers (HCP) to return to work after COVID-19 exposure. The guidance allows fully vaccinated hospital staff to return to work without quarantine, and continues the requirements that non-vaccinated staff complete a 10-day quarantine unless a waiver is authorized by the Commissioner of Health. The guidance makes some changes to the criteria for requesting a waiver.
The Governor also announced an end to travel restrictions beginning April 1, and DOH has issued updated travel guidance. DOH also updated quarantine guidance for community persons
Asymptomatic Health Care Providers who have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 do not need to quarantine or furlough during the first 3 months after full vaccination if they are:
• fully vaccinated (i.e., ≥2 weeks following receipt of the second dose in a 2-dose series, or ≥2 weeks following receipt of one dose of a single-dose vaccine);
• within 3 months following receipt of the last dose in the series;
• asymptomatic since the last exposure.
HCP working in a hospital or healthcare facility other than a nursing home or adult care facility must:
• participate in diagnostic testing between 5-7 days after exposure, or as soon as possible if exposure is not discovered until day 7 or later;
• attempts should be made to assign these healthcare workers to lower-risk patients.
HCP working in a nursing home or adult care facility must:
• participate in diagnostic testing twice per week or as determined by the Commissioner in accordance with EO 202.88;
• be assigned to areas in which they will only have contact with vaccinated residents (except for HCP working in pediatric facilities and units).
For more information, please contact Andrew Jewett, Director, Hospital Preparedness Program at ajewett@iroquois.org.