North Branford Parks and Recreation & Senior Center
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COVID- 19 Department Policy and Procedures


North Branford Parks, Recreation, and Senior Services
 Covid-19 Health and Safety Procedures
 
Since the start of COVID-19 pandemic, the Town of North Branford’s Parks, Recreation, and Senior Services Department has remained committed to providing essential services to the North Branford community. Our professional team, in conjunction with the East Shore Health District, using sector rules as published by the State of Connecticut to determine the policies and procedures for re-opening. This process was created to promote a health environment that mitigates the risk of COVID-19 exposure. As the guidelines and scientific data is ever changing these policies and procedures are fluid and maybe modified at anytime to meet new recommendations.
 
 Recreation Programming
 
Face Coverings
Staff, instructors, participants, and spectators are required to wear a face mask or cloth face covering when unable to easily, continuously, and measurably keep 6 feet of physical distance from others, unless doing so would be contrary to his or her health or safety due to medical conditions. While engaged in the active play of sports or strenuous activities, athletes should maintain at least 12 feet of physical distance from other to not wear a face covering. However, athletes shall wear face masks at all other times. Instructions for use of cloth face covering are available from the CDC.
 
Any person who declines to wear a mask or face covering due to a medical condition is exempt for this rule ONLY if such person provides written documentation that the person is qualified for the exemption from a licensed medical provider, the Department of Developmental Services or other state agency that provides or supports services for people with emotional, intellectual or physical disabilities, or a person authorized by any such agency.
 
Executive Order 7BB does not require the use of face masks by:
  • Anyone for whom doing so would be contrary to his or her health or safety because of
a medical condition.
  • Anyone under the age of 2 years, or an older child if the parent, guardian, or person
responsible for the child is unable to place the mask safely on the child’s face.
 
**Please note due these executive orders we cannot force anyone who falls within the aforementioned groups to wear masks**
Staff Procedures
Staff will be asked to confirm that they do not have a fever, shortness of breath, or cough, using the Town of North Branford assessment log. Staff must notify the management team of any out of state travel that could potentially increase exposure. Staff must report any child or program participant feeling sick to the guardian (if a minor) and the Recreation Supervisor as soon as possible. In general, staff should avoid handling participants’ belongings. If handling of participant’s belonging is needed, disposable gloves will be worn.
 
Program Procedures
All participants will be required to sign a release and indemnity agreement prior to attending activities which absolves the Town of North Branford and instructors of any responsibility for the spread of COVID-19. Additionally, a daily symptoms assessment must be completed, which may include temperature checks and will be recorded in an assessment log.
  • To prevent sharing equipment, participants are encouraged to bring and use their own equipment whenever possible. As always, equipment will be provided for those who need it. Equipment will be disinfected before and after every activity.
 
  • Programs will be conducted in small groups to allow for physical distancing. To reduce contact, participants will not congregate at any point during games, practices, activities, classes, programs, and/or events. In reference to sports we encourage sportsmanship however in a touchless manner – no handshakes/slaps/fist bumps after games.
 
  • Participants are encouraged to bring their own hand sanitizer to all department activities and events.
 
  • The use of alcohol-based hand sanitizers will be supervised by staff when applicable.
 
The department has implemented the respiratory hygiene policies. All staff will be required to cover coughs and sneezes with tissues or the corner of the elbow. Staff will be required to sanitize after coughing or sneezing. Staff will encourage program participants, when appropriate to cover coughs and sneezes with tissues or the corner
of the elbow. Participants will be required to sanitize after coughing or sneezing. Soiled tissues
will be disposed of in the designated non-touch container immediately after use.
  • All high contact surfaces will be disinfected after every program by staff.
 
Spectator Expectations
Spectators are required to bring and wear masks or cloth face coverings that completely cover the nose and mouth unless doing so would be contrary to his or her health or safety due to a medical condition. Spectators are expected to abide by social distancing, maintaining at least a 6ft distance between themselves and others not in their immediate household. Failure to comply with social distancing guidelines may result in being asked to leave a program/facility. Individuals shall not congregate in common areas or parking lots following an event or practice.
 
For more information regarding COVID-19 policies and procedures as relating to our recreation programming please contact Kerry Haynes at 203-484-6017.
 
Fitness Center
 
Facility Guidelines
The DiLungo Fitness Center will be open to members and the public alike by appointment with a maximum of a 1 hour time slot to allow for accommodations of all patrons. We are limiting the use of our cardio room to 4 participants per time slot.
  • Upon check-in at the front desk, plexi-glass barriers will be in place for safety of our staff
and for patrons.
  • Temperatures will be checked upon entry to the facility along with a health assessment. Any patron displaying signs of illness or coughing may be asked to leave at the discretion of the staff.
  • A release and indemnity agreement which absolves the Town of North Branford of any responsibility for the spread of COVID-19 must be signed prior to the first visit to the facility.
  • Additionally, markers will be on the floor to allow physical distancing. Only one person will be allowed to scan their card or check-in at the desk at one time.
  • Times will be limited to 1 hour.
  • We request that no additional items such as gym bags, sweatshirts or heavy coats that require hanging or storage be left in members vehicles.
  • Time between available time slots is used to clean and disinfect all surfaces.
  • Patrons must always remain at least 6 feet physically distanced from one another. Physical distancing must occur in entrance, lobby area, hallways, gymnasium, cardio room, and yoga room.
  • Face masks must be worn by patrons while entering the facility, while in the hallways, and while entering/exiting the facilities for their safety and for the safety of the public.  
  • Patrons are not required to wear masks while on cardio equipment if 12ft- 15ft of distance is maintained between other patrons or while using the restroom facilities.
  • Patrons are required to wipe down all equipment and touched surfaces before and after use. Please be respectful of our requirements and of our staff.
  • Per state guidelines those with chronic health conditions or age 65+ are advised to stay home.
  • There will be no gathering in the hallways, lobby, or common spaces.
  • Patrons must bring their own water bottles, “touch-free" bottle filling stations will be available.
 
For more information regarding COVID-19 policies and procedures as relating to our Fitness Center please contact Jessica Cave at 203-484-6017 or email recreationsecretary@townofnorthbranfordct.com.
 
 
 
 
 
Senior Services
 
Meal Services
To keep our staff and patrons safe, congregate meal and coffee are paused until further notice. To-go meals are available with contactless pick-up for seniors and delivery for individuals that are homebound for $3 per meal.
  • The department will be providing 2 meals on Monday and 3 meals on Wednesday to North Branford area and 2 meals on Tuesday and 3 meals on Thursday to the Northford area. Please contact our department at 203-484-6017 if you have question or concerns.
  • Meals are available for delivery if and only if there are no other means of transportation.
  • Delivered meals must be received in-person, no meals can be left unattended for food safety reasons.
  • If 3 or more meals are unable to be delivered the services will be discontinued.
 
Transportation Services
The department is resuming limited transportation services. Rides will be by appointment only and are limited to well-medical appointments and essential grocery store visits.
  • We recommend that reservations must be made in advance.
  • A maximum of three people are permitted on the bus at one time (excluding driver). If an aid is required to travel with you, please notify the office at the time of the reservation to confirm space availability.
  • You will be assigned a seat for safety purposes.
  • Driver will take temperature and conduct a health assessment prior to entry onto the vehicle.
  • Masks must be worn on buses at all times.
  • Please cancel your ride if you are feeling sick or have a fever or have concerns that you may have been exposed to COVID-19 or have encountered someone with COVID- 19 symptoms.
  • You are responsible to carry your own groceries, bags, and purchases. The driver will not be able to exit the bus or assist.
  • Due to schedule restrictions drivers are not permitted to wait more than 5 minutes for riders at pick-up so please be prepared and watching for your ride. Please note drivers are not always able/ nor are they required to call and notify you of their arrival so please be prepared.
The grocery store schedule is as follows:
  • North Branford residents shopping services will be on MONDAYS , due to capacity limits staff will confirm a pick-up time but please note that transportation may arrive up to 15 minutes before or after scheduled time so please be prepared, upon arrival at the grocery store, a one-hour shopping time is scheduled. If extensive and repetitive delays occur, please note that services may be discontinued.
  • Northford residents shopping services will be on TUESDAYS , due to capacity limits staff will confirm a pick-up time but please note that transportation may arrive up to 15 minutes before or after scheduled time so please be prepared, upon arrival at the grocery store, a one-hour shopping time is scheduled. If extensive and repetitive delays occur, please note that services may be discontinued.
The medical appointment transportation for well- medical visits schedule is as follows:
  • At this time, we are unable to transport for ‘sick’ appointments.
  • Appointment are available on WEDNESDAYS and should be scheduled 10:00am or after, nothing is to be scheduled after 1:00 p.m.
 
Program Procedures
All participants will be required to sign a release and indemnity agreement prior to attending activities which absolves the Town of North Branford and instructors of any responsibility for the spread of COVID-19. Additionally, a daily symptoms assessment must be completed, which may include temperature checks and will be recorded in an assessment log.
  • To prevent sharing equipment, participants are encouraged to bring and use their own equipment whenever possible. As always, equipment will be provided for those who need it. Equipment will be disinfected before and after every activity.
 
  • Programs will be conducted in small groups to allow for physical distancing. To reduce contact, participants will not congregate at any point during games, practices, activities, classes, programs, and/or events. In reference to sports we encourage sportsmanship however in a touchless manner – no handshakes/slaps/fist bumps after games.
 
  • Participants are encouraged to bring their own hand sanitizer to all department activities and events.
 
  • The use of alcohol-based hand sanitizers will be supervised by staff when applicable.
 
The Department has implemented the respiratory hygiene policies. All staff will be required to cover coughs and sneezes with tissues or the corner of the elbow. Staff will be required to sanitize after coughing or sneezing. Staff will encourage program participants, when appropriate to cover coughs and sneezes with tissues or the corner
of the elbow. Participants will be required to sanitize after coughing or sneezing. Soiled tissues
will be disposed of in the designated non-touch container immediately after use.
 
  • All high contact surfaces will be disinfected after every program by staff.
 
Staff Procedures
Staff will be asked to confirm that they do not have a fever, shortness of breath, or cough, using the Town of North Branford assessment log. Staff must notify the management team of any out of state travel that could potentially increase exposure. Staff must report any child or program participant feeling sick to the guardian (if a minor) and the Recreation Supervisor as soon as possible. In general, staff should avoid handling participants’ belongings. If handling of participant’s belonging is needed, disposable gloves will be worn.
 
Program Procedures
Participants will be required to sign a release and indemnity agreement which absolves the Town of North Branford  of any responsibility for the spread of COVID-19 must be signed prior to attending activities and must complete a daily symptoms assessment, which will be recorded in an assessment log. This symptoms assessment may include temperature checks.
  • To prevent sharing equipment, participants are encouraged to bring and use their own equipment whenever possible. As always, equipment will be provided for those who need it. Equipment will be disinfected before and after every activity.
 
  • Programs will be conducted in small groups to allow for physical distancing. To reduce contact, participants will not congregate at any point during games, practices, activities, classes, programs, and/or events. In reference to sports we encourage sportsmanship however in a touchless manner – no handshakes/slaps/fist bumps after games.
 
  • Participants are encouraged to bring their own hand sanitizer to all department activities and events.
 
The department has implemented the respiratory hygiene policies. All staff will be required to cover coughs and sneezes with tissues or the corner of the elbow. Staff will be required to sanitize after coughing or sneezing. Staff will encourage program participants, when appropriate to cover coughs and sneezes with tissues or the corner
of the elbow. Participants will be required to sanitize after coughing or sneezing. Soiled tissues
will be disposed of in the designated non-touch container immediately after use.
  • All high contact surfaces will be disinfected after every program by staff.
 
Spectator or Aid Expectations
Spectators or Aids are required to bring and wear masks or cloth face coverings that completely cover the nose and mouth unless doing so would be contrary to his or her health or safety due to a medical condition. Spectators and Aids are expected to abide by social distancing, maintaining at least a 6ft distance between themselves and others not in their immediate household or under their care. Failure to comply with social distancing guidelines may result in being asked to leave a program/facility. Individuals shall not congregate in common areas or parking lots following an event or programs.
 
 
For more information regarding COVID-19 policies and procedures as relating to our senior services please contact Kathy Poston at 203-484-6017.
 
 
 
Department protocols if staff or participant(s) are diagnosed with Covid -19
 
In February 2020, COVID-19 was added to the List of Reportable Diseases. Cases of COVID-19 infection must be reported immediately to the Connecticut Department of Public Health and to the local department of health in the town of residence of the case-patient by telephone on the day of recognition or strong suspicion of the disease. The COVID-19 report form is available on the DPH website at
 
https://dphsubmissions.ct.gov/Covid/InitiateCovidReport
 
Participants or staff members who test positive for COVID-19 will not be allowed to return to North Branford Parks, Recreation, and Senior Services programs, departments, or facilities until they received two negative tests in a row, at least 24 hours apart. A doctor’s note will be required stating negative test results for any participant or staff member returning following recovery from COVID-19. A participant who tests positive for Covid-19 will receive a full refund for the time they are out of the program.
 
Participants or staff members who are determined to have had close contact with the infected participant/staff member (other program participants and staff) will not be allowed to return to North Branford Parks, Recreation, and Senior Center program or facility for 14 days after the last day they had contact with the affected participant/staff member, and so long as they show no symptoms of COVID-19. A participant who is unable to attend a program because a fellow participant has tested positive for COVID-19 will receive a refund for the time they are out of the program.
 
Any sibling attending/working at a program of the infected participant or staff member will be required to stay home for 14 days and may return so long as they show no symptoms of COVID-19. A sibling asked to stay home from a program will be given a refund for the time they are out.
 
If a household member of a participant or staff member tests positive for COVID-19, the participant or staff member will be required to stay home for at least 14 days. Upon returning to the program, these participants or staff members must provide an end of quarantine notice from their local Health District. A participant who is unable to attend a program because a household member has tested positive for COVID-19 will receive a refund for the time they are out of care.
 
Additional practices to those below may be followed in consultation with the local health department or the CT Department of Public Health.
  1. Our department in conjunction with the East Shore Health District will determine the date of symptom onset for the participant/staff member.
 
  1. Our department in conjunction with the East Shore Health District will determine if the participant/staff member attended/worked at the program while symptomatic or during the two days before symptoms began.
 
  1. Our department in conjunction with the East Shore Health District will identify what days the participant/staff member attended/worked during that time.
 
  1. Our department in conjunction with the Shoreline Health District will determine who had close contact with the participant/staff member at the program during those days (staff and other children).
 
  1. Our department in conjunction with the appropriate staff will conduct appropriate cleaning and disinfection:
  2. Close off areas used by the person who is sick.
  3. Open outside doors and windows to increase air circulation in the areas.
  4. Wait up to 24 hours or as long as possible before cleaning or disinfecting to allow respiratory droplets to settle before cleaning and disinfecting.
  5. Clean and disinfect all areas used by the person who is sick, such as offices, bathrooms, and common areas.
  6. If more than 7 days have passed since the person who is sick visited or used the facility, additional cleaning and disinfection is not necessary.
  7. Shared bathrooms used by the participants or staff members will be taken offline for seven days. Other bathrooms will be made available to participants and staff on site.
  8. Continue routine cleaning and disinfection.
 
Communications Policies:
North Branford Parks, Recreation, and Senior Center strives to provide the best possible communication between our department and our participants. In order to make sure that we have the most up-to-date contact information for your family, please make sure to update your contact information on your account.
 
Steps:
  1. Visit www.nbrecreation.com
  2. Log into your account
  3. Click on My Account
  4. Edit your contact information and select General Opt-In and Cancelation Opt-In
  5. Click on your participant’s name
  6. Scroll down to Custom Forms (when appliable)
  7. Select View/Edit on the form you wish to update
  8. Edit your form as needed
  9. Click Submit
  10. Follow steps 1-9 for any additional participants or forms.
 
All participants and staff are required to self-report immediately if they are experiencing COVID symptoms or have tested positive for COVID-19, or have come in close contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 within the last 14 days.
 
To self-report call 203-484-6017. If no one answers, please leave a detailed voicemail indicating the name and contact information and a staff member will call back as soon as possible.
 
Upon learning of any potential COVID exposure, first, Parks, Recreation, and Senior Center staff will contact the local Health Department. Secondly, the Department will communicate with participants and staff about the possible exposure and appropriate procedures in the following order:
  1. Same program
  2. Same site
  3. Other program/sites
 
Due to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), our Department is not able to disclose which participant or staff member tested positive.
 
Future Polices:
The above list is not necessarily inclusive of all necessary policies and protocols that should become necessary during these unprecedented times. All operations should be conducted in the safest manner possible and should always prioritize safety. Due to the evolving nature of COVID-19 and updates from the State of Connecticut, North Branford Parks, Recreation, and Senior Center reserves the right to change policies or procedures at any time at their discretion for any reason they deem necessary. Updates in policies will be communicated to staff, participants, and guardians in a timely manner.
 
Symptoms of Covid-19 (cdc.gov):
“People with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms reported – ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus.
 
People with these symptoms may have COVID-19:
  • Cough
  • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
  • Fever >100.00 deg. F
  • Chills
  • Muscle pain
  • Sore throat
  • New loss of taste or smell
 
Children have similar symptoms to adults and generally have mild illness. This list is not all inclusive. Other less common symptoms have been reported, including gastrointestinal symptoms like nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.
 
When to Seek Emergency Medical Attention:
Look for emergency warning signs* for COVID-19. If someone is showing any of these signs, seek emergency medical care immediately
  • Trouble breathing
  • Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
  • New confusion
  • Inability to wake or stay awake
  • Bluish lips or face
*This list is not all possible symptoms. Please call your medical provider for any other symptoms that are severe or concerning to you.
 
Call 911 or call ahead to your local emergency facility: Notify the operator that you are seeking care for someone who has or may have COVID-19 (www.cdc.gov)
 
The CDC recommends the following for Covid-19 patients (cdc.gov):
 
“People with COVID-19 who have stayed home (home isolated) can leave home under the following conditions**:
 
If you have not had a test to determine if you are still contagious, you can leave home after these three things have happened:
 
  • You have had no fever for at least 72 hours (that is three full days of no fever without the use of medicine that reduces fevers) AND
  • other symptoms have improved (for example, when your cough or shortness of breath have improved) AND
  • at least 10 days have passed since your symptoms first appeared
 
If you have had a test to determine if you are still contagious, you can leave home after these three things have happened:
  • You no longer have a fever (without the use of medicine that reduces fevers) AND
  • other symptoms have improved (for example, when your cough or shortness of breath have improved) AND
  • You received two negative tests in a row, at least 24 hours apart. Your doctor will follow CDC guidelines.
 
People who DID NOT have COVID-19 symptoms, but tested positive and have stayed home (home isolated) can leave home under the following conditions**:
  • If you have not had a test to determine if you are still contagious, you can leave home after these two things have happened:
    • At least 10 days have passed since the date of your first positive test AND
    • You continue to have no symptoms (no cough or shortness of breath) since the test.
  • If you have had a test to determine if you are still contagious, you can leave home after:
  • You received two negative tests in a row, at least 24 hours apart. Your doctor will follow CDC guidelines.
 
 
Note: if you develop symptoms, follow guidance above for people with COVID-19 symptoms.
 
**In all cases, follow the guidance of your doctor and local health department. The decision to stop home isolation should be made in consultation with your healthcare provider and state and local health departments. Some people, for example those with conditions that weaken their immune system, might continue to shed virus even after they recover”.



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