Our COVID-19 response
Like everyone, we have been effected greatly by COVID-19. Even though the world has changed, our mission has not. We have continued to provide services during these difficult times while keeping the health and safety of our colleagues the top priority. Below is our organizations written policy regarding COVID-19
COVID-19 Safety Plan
September 2021
Policy: 4Abilities requires vaccinations for all members and colleagues with ongoing compliance with vaccinations as needed.
Current Guidance
Refer to CDC guidelines https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html for ongoing requirements and recommendations.
As of August 31, 2021, 4Abilities colleagues can interact with each other and all members of this organization without wearing a mask. Transportation, travel, and combining households are allowed without a mask. All colleagues can work and participate in worksites, which includes volunteer sites, without wearing a mask if the workplace does not require wearing a mask.
For stores and other indoor public places, 4Abilities will begin wearing a mask in these places. This is subject to change as recommendations, covid numbers, and other factors change. If there are any questions or concerns, this needs to be a conversation with the company. All decisions will be communicated to the company directly.
Quarantine protocols will continue to remain the same if there is a positive COVID-19 test. If there is a known exposure, testing will be required. All CDC-recommended practices regarding testing and positive COVID-19 cases will be followed. Stay at home if your are sick.
Previous guidelines and recommendations will continue to be part of this document. See below.
Previous guidelines and recommendations
This document contains:
Unprecedented adaptation of our business model
4Abilities’ new guidelines and rules
Rationale for these new rules
Unprecedented Adaptation
During this fluid and changing time of the COVID-19 pandemic, it has become necessary to formalize new rules and define expectations within our organization. The healthy and safety of our members is the highest priority. The safety rules below are specifically designed to support this priority.
We have changed our service delivery model from a full, in-person community engagement design to a fully contained, distanced video conferencing model within our own homes during the stay-at-home orders. We adapted again with ‘safer-at-home” orders by adding one group outing that was outside and allowed for social distancing.
As this safer-at-home order has lifted, businesses and schools are reopening, and some families are returning to work. We now find ourselves transitioning back to an unknown world. In response to this, we have adapted again and moved to a hybrid model that involves a blend of distanced video conferencing and in-person activities.
To maintain safe expectations that are clear and all know what is expected, this document serves to define our current safety procedures. The COVID-19 pandemic remains a fluid situation and safety procedures may change as needed. Any official changes will be made to this document and promptly distributed to all colleagues and families.
All safety guidance and rules are based on the information distributed by medical professionals from The World Health Organization (WHO), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and additional guidance specific to our state addressed by our Governor Jared Polis’s office and COVID-19 task force. Rationale will be outlined in the final pages of this document.
Rationale for COVID-19 Safety Rules
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
Guidelines for general activities below are taken directly from the CDC website listed above. The WHO and State guidelines are consistent with the guidelines on this website.
Quarantine timeline continues to be 14 days.
The guidance below drives the safety rules stated above. The links embedded, practicing everyday preventative actions and social distancing provide detailed information that again, are the foundation for our safety rules.
Travel safety warrants its own page and all travel information will be on the following page.
Deciding to go out
In general, the more closely you interact with others and the longer that interaction, the higher the risk of COVID-19 spread.
If you decide to engage in public activities, continue to protect yourself by practicing everyday preventive actions.
Keep these items on hand when venturing out: a mask, tissues, and a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol, if possible.
Personal and Social Activities
Stay home if sick.
Wear masks in public settings and when around people who don’t live in your household, especially when other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain.
Use social distancing (stay at least 6 feet away from others).
Before you go, call and ask what extra prevention strategies they are using, like requiring staff to wear masks.
Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds when you get home.
Travel
Travel is a robust section. There are many variables associated with level of risk when travelling. 4Abilities reserves the right to ask questions about travel including, but not limited to method of travel (airplane, car, etc.), level of crowd exposure, how mask wearing is monitored, and other types of exposure during travel. 4Abilities also reserves the right to impose stricter quarantine measures as necessary based upon the level of risk. Higher risk travel may require remote participation for 14 days after returning from travel and COVID testing when applicable for the safety of the agency and all its members.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
Guidance
Before deciding to travel:
Travel increases your chance of getting and spreading COVID-19. Staying home is the best way to protect yourself and others from COVID-19.
You can get COVID-19 during your travels. You may feel well and not have any symptoms, but you can still spread COVID-19 to others. You and your travel companions (including children) may spread COVID-19 to other people including your family, friends, and community for 14 days after you were exposed to the virus.
Don’t travel if you are sick or if you have been around someone with COVID-19 in the past 14 days. Don’t travel with someone who is sick.
After You Travel:
You may have been exposed to COVID-19 on your travels. You may feel well and not have any symptoms, but you can be contagious without symptoms and spread the virus to others. You and your travel companions (including children) pose a risk to your family, friends, and community for 14 days after you were exposed to the virus. Regardless of where you traveled or what you did during your trip, take these actions to protect others from getting sick after you return:
When around others, stay at least 6 feet (about 2 arms’ length) from other people who are not from your household. It is important to do this everywhere, both indoors and outdoors.
Wear a mask to keep your nose and mouth covered when you are outside of your home.
Wash your hands often or use hand sanitizer (with at least 60% alcohol).
Watch your health: Look for symptoms of COVID-19, and take your temperature if you feel sick.
Higher Risk Activities
Some types of travel and activities can put you at higher risk for exposure to COVID-19 (see list below). If you participated in higher risk activities or think that you may have been exposed before or during your trip, take extra precautions (in addition the ones listed above) to protect others for 14 days after you arrive:
Stay home as much as possible.
Avoid being around people at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19.
Consider getting tested for COVID-19.
What activities are considered higher risk?
Here are examples of activities and situations that can increase your risk of exposure to COVID-19:
Being in an area that is experiencing high levels of COVID-19 spread. You can check the levels for places you traveled, including countries as well as U.S. states, territories, counties, and cities.
Going to a large social gathering like a wedding, funeral, or party.
Attending a mass gathering like a sporting event, concert, or parade.
Being in crowds — for example, in restaurants, bars, airports, bus and train stations, or movie theaters.
Traveling on a cruise ship or river boat.