Covid-19 Update | gracelyn

COVID 19 UPDATE

Children’s Center at Gracelyn COVID-19 Masking Policy

effective July 11, 2022

The CDC and NCDHHS COVID-19 guidance for child care programs indicate that the most effective way for individuals to protect themselves and their loved ones from COVID-19 is to get vaccinated and stay up-to-date with booster doses and/or additional doses. COVID-19 vaccines are now available and recommended for individuals 6 months of age and older.

The Children’s Center at Gracelyn encourages all staff and families to talk with their physicians about the COVID-19 vaccine. Center staff are required to have the primary series of the COVID-19 vaccine or have an approved medical/religious exemption.

The CDC and NCDHHS has lifted the recommendation for universal mask requirements in child care programs. The Church continues to strongly recommend universal masking at the Center; the Children’s Center has received permission from the Church to become mask recommended as opposed to mask required, with one exception when masking is required. After reviewing the CDC, NCDHHS and Church guidance, the Center adopts the following COVID-19 Masking Policy effective July 11, 2022. The Center Director has the authority to implement more stringent masking requirements as conditions change (i.e. a change from “low transmission” to “medium or high transmission”, a change to NCDHHS and/or CDC guidance, etc.).

This policy in no way changes the Center requirements as to when a parent/child/staff member must be excluded from the Center due to COVID-19 and/or other illness. Parents and staff should notify the Center Director immediately if there is a COVID-19 exposure, symptoms or positive test in their household. The Center Director will explain, what if any, steps are necessary before returning to the Center.

1. The Center RECOMMENDS masking and will SUPPORT any staff member, parent, visitor, or child over the age of 2 who chooses to wear a mask inside or outside the Center.

2. Following a COVID-19 infection as verified by an antigen or PCR test, the Center REQUIRES that the infected staff, parent, visitor, and child over the age of 2 wear a well-fitting mask (unless an exemption applies) for 5 days following their authorized return to the Center.

3. Following a COVID-19 exposure away from the Center (i.e. at home, neighbors, gatherings, etc.), the Center REQUIRES that the exposed staff, parent, visitor, and child over the age of 2 wear a well-fitting mask (unless an exemption applies) for 5 days following the exposure. The Center may also require a negative COVID test/alternate diagnosis before returning to the Center depending on any symptoms.

4. Following a COVID-19 exposure inside the Center, the Center REQUIRES that ALL Center staff, children over the age of 2, parents and visitors wear a well-fitting mask (unless an exemption applies) for 5 days following the exposure. The Center may also require a negative COVID test/alternate diagnosis before returning to the Center depending on any symptoms. The Center will notify parent, staff and visitors when this masking requirement is necessary.

5. The Center RECOMMENDS but does not require that staff, parents, children over the age of 2, and visitors who are not “up-to-date” with their eligible COVID vaccine primary series and boosters continue to mask while indoors at the Center.

6. The Center RECOMMENDS but does not require that staff, parents, children over the age of 2, and visitors who are at high risk for severe disease continue to mask while indoors at the Center.

Questions regarding this COVID-19 Masking Policy should be directed to the Center Director.

This COVID-19 Masking Policy was adopted by the Children’s Center at Gracelyn Board of Directors on July 6, 2022.