Skip to main content
This page, COVID-19 Public Health Guidance and Directives, is part of
This page, COVID-19 Public Health Guidance and Directives, is offered by

COVID-19 Public Health Guidance and Directives

Guidance and directives from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) related to COVID-19.
Skip table of contents

Table of Contents

EOHHS Congregate Care

Guidance for Congregate Care Programs

Congregate Care Surveillance Testing Guidance

On August 4, 2021, EOHHS issued revised surveillance testing guidance for organizations that operate residential congregate care programs, veteran’s shelters, and residential schools. EOHHS Congregate Care Surveillance Testing Guidance (this guidance replaces the May 12, 2021 and March 22, 2021 guidance)

Congregate Care Infection Control Resources

Click here for infection control resources for Congregate Care Settings, developed through a partnership with Commonwealth Medicine, in coordination with the Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS), the Department of Public Health (DPH) and state agencies.

Testing Guidance

View all COVID-19 Testing Guidance

Health Care Professionals

Clinicians

Clinicians who see patients with recent travel to areas with community transmission of COVID-19  who have a fever, lower respiratory tract symptoms (such as shortness of breath and cough), and/or contact with a known COVID-19 patient, should contact the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) 24/7 at (617) 983-6800 for assistance. Further clinical guidance:

In the event of an outbreak, all hospitals should be prepared for the possible arrival of patients with COVID-19. The CDC Hospital Preparedness Checklist outlines a number of important practices.

Lab professionals

Sexual and Domestic Violence (SDV) service providers

School health professionals

DPH guidance for school nurses and other school personnel:

Temporary Nursing Agencies

DPH guidance for registered temporary nursing agencies in Massachusetts:

Health Care Organizations

Hospitals

DPH asks hospitals to carefully review guidance from the CDC and DPH with all healthcare personnel to care for patients with suspected or confirmed COVID-19.  DPH has also issued guidance to acute and non-acute care hospitals, including: 

Non-Acute Care Hospitals

Clinics

Substance Addiction Service Providers

DPH guidance:

Emergency Responders & Law Enforcement

DPH has issued guidance to emergency responders and has shared important guidance from the CDC, including:

Caregivers

For long term care facilities

Signs for Facilities:

DPH has issued guidance to long term care facilities and has shared important guidance from the CDC, including: 

For assisted living residences

For Early Intervention providers

Guidance for Massachusetts Early Intervention vendor agencies:

For in-home caregivers

For community day programs

Guidance for community day program settings (e.g. Adult Day Health, Day Habilitation, Clubhouses, Councils on Aging, etc.):

For hospice programs

Businesses

DPH guidance:

Recreational Camps and Programs

DPH guidance: Recreational Camps and Programs Health and Safety Standards for Reopening

Homeless Shelters

Guidance and information for homeless shelter providers is available here: Homelessness Support During COVID-19.

Local government

Guidance for Town Meetings to Address COVID-19 PDF | Doc

Local Boards of Health

DPH COVID-19 Information for Local Boards of Health includes updates on public health guidance, materials for communicating with the public, and shareable preparedness resources.

Insurers

DPH Guidance to implement the DPH Order regarding access to certain immunization information for insurance carriers and MassHealth.

Related

Feedback