COVID-19 Public Health Guidance and Directives

Travelers and Persons in Quarantine

• DPH Guidance, November 18: Information and Guidance for Persons in Quarantine due to COVID-19
• DPH Guidance, July 24: Guidance for Travelers arriving in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts

EOHHS Congregate Care Surveillance Testing Guidance

On December 17^th, EOHHS issued revised surveillance testing guidance for organizations that operate residential congregate care programs, veteran’s shelters, and residential schools. This guidance contains significant changes regarding how testing will be accesses by providers - EOHHS Congregate Care Surveillance Testing Guidance (this guidance replaces the November 2^nd guidance)

• FAQ for the EOHHS Congregate Care Surveillance Testing Guidance
• Guidance for Abbott BinaxNOW in Congregate Care
• FAQ and contracting documents for the EOHHS Surveillance Testing program prior to December 17^th update

Health Care Professionals

DPH Guidance for all health care organizations and providers, December 16^th: Considerations for Health Care Personnel After COVID-19 Vaccination

DPH Guidance for all workers: Return to Work Guidance PDF | Doc, updated December 7.

Bureau of Health Professions Licensure Licensees

On April 9, Governor Charlie Baker issued two emergency orders to further support the health care workforce and expand its capacity: 

• Order: Providing Accelerated Licensing of Physicians Educated in Foreign Medical Schools
• Order: Authorizing Nursing Practice by Graduates and Senior Students of Nursing Education Programs

On April 3, the Department of Public Health issued an emergency order expanding the availability of certain health care providers. Guidance: Licensing Changes during State of Emergency.

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 [phone] for assistance. Further clinical guidance:

• COVID-19 Testing Guidance | Doc, issued August 7
• Notification to Test Contacts Regardless of Symptoms | Doc, issued May 11
• Crisis Standards of Care Planning Guidance for the COVID-19 Pandemic, updated October 20
• Guidance for clinicians caring for patients with COVID-19
• Updated infection prevention and control guidance specific to COVID-19

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.

Information about referrals to regional isolation and recovery sites is available on COVID-19 Isolation and Recovery Sites.

Lab professionals

DPH Guidance, January 12, 2021: Temporary Laboratory License for CLIA-waived COVID-19 Testing and Clinical Laboratory Alternate Sites

• Application Form for Temporary Laboratory License for CLIA-waived COVID-19 Testing

On April 7, 2020, DPH issued guidance to clinical labs which (1) aligns the Massachusetts exempt test with all tests on the current list of CLIA waived tests; and (2) alleviates the need for certain providers to obtain a clinical laboratory license in order to conduct testing on their own patients. Massachusetts Clinical Laboratory Program – Changes to Exempt Test List and ​Definition of Physician

Dentists

Guidance from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) and the Board of Registration in Dentistry (BORID) in response to the Massachusetts COVID-19 State of Emergency. Download: Board of Registration in Dentistry COVID-19 Guidance

Sexual and Domestic Violence (SDV) service providers

• COVID-19 Guidance for SDV Programs, updated April 23
• COVID-19 Reimbursement Question Form, March 23

Physician Assistants

On March 18, the Department of Public Health issued an order regarding the flexible reassignment of Physicians Assistants: Guidance: Flexible Reassignment of Physician Assistants

Advanced practice registered nurses (APRN)

On March 26, the Department of Public Health issued an emergency order addressing independent prescriptive practice for advanced practice registered nurses: Guidance: Independent Practice of Advanced Practice Registered Nurses

On April 9, Governor Baker issued an emergency order authorizing nursing practice by nursing school graduates and students in their final semester of nursing education programs. Order | Nursing Student Guidance

School health professionals

DPH guidance for school nurses and other school personnel:

• Information for School Health Offices, September 3
• Guidance on selected school health regulations during the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency, August 19
• Handwashing/Sanitizer Guidance, July 1
• Limited Waiver of 105 CMR 210.000, july 1

Health Care Organizations

DPH Guidance for all health care organizations and providers, December 16^th: Considerations for Health Care Personnel After COVID-19 Vaccination

DPH guidance for all healthcare facilities: Updated Anterior Nares (Nasal Swab) Specimen Collection by Unlicensed Healthcare Personnel

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued emergency use authorization (EUA) for two monoclonal antibody therapeutics for treatment of early mild-to-moderate COVID-19 in high-risk patients. Following issuance of the EUAs the federal government has begun to provide doses to states to be administered by intravenous infusion in a monitored healthcare setting. This guidance sets forth expectations for Massachusetts hospitals which elect to receive allocations of these COVID-19 therapeutics: 

• Guidance for Allocation of COVID-19 Monoclonal Antibody Therapeutics
• Acute Care Hospital COVID-19 Monoclonal Antibody Therapeutics Response Form

Hospitals

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

• Acute Care Hospital Attestation: Suspension of ICU Staffing Minimums and Elective Procedures, January 7: Attestation Form
  • This attestation form relates to the DPH Order exempting certain hospitals from the nurse staffing requirements of M.G.L. c. 111, § 231
  • Hospital Submitted Attestations
• DPH Guidance, January 6: Updated Comprehensive Personal Protective Equipment
• This guidance replaces Comprehensive Personal Protective Equipment guidance published on July 6 and May 21
• DPH Guidance, December 31: Hospital Transfer and Discharge Guidance
• DPH Guidance for all workers, updated December 7: Return to Work Guidance PDF | Doc
• DPH non-essential elective procedures order, December 7: Elective Procedures Order 
  • DPH guidance memo, December 22: Updated Guidance Regarding the Elective Procedures Order 
    • This order replaces the order issued by the Department on June 24, the order issued by the Department on May 18 and the Order issued by the Department on June 6
    • This guidance replaces the guidance issued by the Department on June 6, the guidance issued by the Department on May 18 and the Guidance issued by the Department on June 6
• EHS Guidance, January 19: Notice of Dedicated Care Capacity at Nursing Facilities for COVID-19 Patients
  • MassHealth Hospital Escalation Form
• Resurgence Planning and Response, updated November 5:
  • DPH COVID-19 Resurgence Planning and Response Guidance for Acute Care Hospitals
  • DPH Acute Care Hospital COVID-19 Resurgence Planning and Response Attestation
• Referral information: COVID-19 Isolation and Recovery Sites
• DPH Guidance, October 30: Renewal of Expired and Expiring Licenses for Licensed Healthcare Facilities
• DPH Guidance, September 25: Using Space on Hospital Premises for Vaccine Administration
• DPH hospital visitation restriction order, March 15: Hospital Visitor Restrictions Order
  • DPH guidance memo, September 17: Hospital Visitor Restrictions Guidance
    • This guidance replaces guidance issued by the Department on March 16 and June 6
• DPH Guidance, July 31: Update to Defining Aerosol Generating Procedures and Recommended PPE
• EOHHS Guidance, May 18: Expanded Care Capacity at Sub-Acute Sites for COVID-19 Patients (This guidance replaces guidance issued on April 29).
• DPH Guidance, April 28:
  • Reporting Requirement Extensions for Health Care Facilities
  • Process to Transfer Hospital Intensive Care Unit Patients When There is a Surge in Demand for ICU Beds
• Reminder about the importance of newborn screening and testing, April 14: Newborn Screening and COVID-19
  • Temporary changes in policy for newborn hearing screening, April 17: Letter to Birth Hospitals 
• Information for Academic Medical Centers, April 4: 
  • The Massachusetts Board of Registration in Medicine (BORIM) has authorized expediting full licensure for clinical fellows. Please find additional information from BORIM regarding physician licensure, including an emergency temporary 90 day license application for physicians who have completed training seeking a full license: ​​​​​Emergency Physician Full License Application.
• DPH Guidance, April 3:
  • Authorization and Guidelines for Use of Alternate Space for Treatment of Patients during the COVID-19 State of Emergency
  • Guidance Regarding Implementation of Alternative Acute Care Space during the COVID-19 State of Emergency
• DPH Guidance, April 2: Integrating Anesthesia Staff and Anesthesia Machines into COVID-19 Intensive Care Work Streams
• DPH Guidance, March 30: N95 Filtering Face Piece Fit Testing Requirements
• DPH guidance memo, March 22: Guidance regarding implementation of alternative acute inpatient care space during the COVID-19 state of emergency
• DPH emergency credentialing and licensed staff transfer procedures order, March 17: Credentialing and Staffing Order
• DPH guidance letter, March 4: Updated Guidance on Strategies to Optimize Use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
• CDC guidance: Resources for Healthcare Facilities
• CDC steps to take: Steps Healthcare Facilities Can Take Now to Prepare for COVID-19

Non-Acute Care Hospitals

• DPH Guidance, October 16: Considerations for Caring for COVID-19 Recovered Residents
• DPH Guidance, May 22: Caring for Non-Acute Care Hospital Patients

Clinics

• DPH Guidance, Sept. 24:  Using Space on Clinic Premises for Vaccine Administration
• DPH Guidance, July 31: Update to Defining Aerosol Generating Procedures and Recommended PPE
• DPH guidance, updated May 12: Using Space on Clinic Premises for COVID-19 Testing

Pharmacies

• April 3 emergency order authorizing licensed pharmacies to create and sell hand sanitizer over the counter:
  • Hand Sanitizer Pharmacy Order
    • This order replaces a previous March 15 order by the Department of Public Health
• March 24 emergency order regarding modifications to pharmacy practice:
  • Pharmacy Practice Order
  • COVID-19 Central Fill Guidance
  • COVID-19 Emergency Prescription Refill Guidance
  • COVID-19 Pharmacist Emergency Authorization Guidance
  • COVID-19 Pharmacist Garb Guidance
  • COVID-19 Pharmacy Remote Processing Guidance
• March 18 emergency order regarding the administration of certain medications for the treatment of opioid misuse disorder: 
  • March 18, 2020 Pharmacist Opioid Misuse Disorder Medication
  • Guidance: Pharmacist Administration of Medication for the Treatment of Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD)

Out-Of-Hospital Dialysis Units

DPH Guidance, November 6: Guidance Regarding Seasonal Influenza Vaccination of Healthcare Personnel at Massachusetts Out-of-Hospital Dialysis Units for the 2020-2021 Influenza Season

Substance Addiction Service Providers

DPH guidance:

• Required Reporting of COVID-19 Positive Cases by BSAS Licensees and Contractors, January 5, 2021
  • COVID-19 Required Notification Form
• Appropriate Use of Alcohol-Based Hand Sanitizer in Substance Use Disorder Treatment, January 4, 2021
• BSAS Visitation Guidance effective July 1, 2020
• BSAS Offsite Visitation Attestation Form effective July 3, 2020
  • This guidance replaces the BSAS visitation guidance issued June 6, 2020.
• Limitations on Visitors in BSAS-licensed/contracted Programs, June 6, 2020
• Overdose Response and COVID-19 Transmission Risk, June 4, 2020
• Screening Patients for COVID-19 Cases in BSAS-licensed/contracted Programs, April 28, 2020
• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) in BSAS-licensed/contracted ATS, CSS, TSS, OTP, OBOT, and Outpatient Service Programs, April 20, 2020
• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) in BSAS-licensed/contracted Residential Programs, April 20, 2020
• For DEA-Registered Practitioners: Alert Regarding Use of Telemedicine during Public Health Emergency-COVID-19, updated April 10
• Waivers from Certain Regulatory Requirements, updated January 5, 2021
  • this guidance replaces the Waiver from Certain Regulatory Requirements issued on April 7, 2020
• Reporting/Mitigating COVID-19 Cases in BSAS-licensed/contracted Programs, April 6, 2020
• Consent for Treatment/Data Submission in BSAS Licensed and Contracted Programs, April 3
• For Section 35 providers: Section 35 Visitor Guidance, March 23
• For Opioid Treatment Programs: Alert Regarding COVID-19 for Opioid Treatment Programs, March 18

Emergency Responders & Law Enforcement

DPH has shared important CDC guidance and has issued new advisories, emergency waivers and Statewide Treatment Protocols, and updates to administrative requirements for emergency medical services, including:

• DPH Guidance, January 6: Updated Comprehensive Personal Protective Equipment
  • This guidance replaces Comprehensive Personal Protective Equipment guidance published on July 6 and May 21
• Continuing Education Limits on Distributive Education (January 2021) l DOC: Update to Administrative Requirement 2-212, to allow EMS personnel with certifications expiring in 2021 to complete all their remaining continuing education through distributive education.
• CDC updated guidance for all first responders, including law enforcement, fire services, emergency medical services, and emergency management officials, who anticipate close contact with persons with confirmed or possible COVID-19 in the course of their work, March 10: CDC’s Interim Guidance for Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Systems and 911 Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs) for 2019-nCoV in the United States and information about recommended EPA-registered disinfectants that meet the criteria for use against SARS-CoV-2: List N: Disinfectants for Use Against SARS-CoV-2.
• DPH Guidance for all workers, updated December 7: Return to Work Guidance PDF | Doc
• DPH Guidance, November 2020: Advisory 20-10-01: COVID-19 Workplace Safety Standards for Ambulance Service Locations - (November 2020) | (DOCX)
• DPH Guidance, June 29:
  • Advisory 20-06-01: Extension of CPR and ACLS Expirations
    • This Advisory replaces Advisory 20-03-01 UPDATED
  • Advisory 20-06-02: Lifting of Suspensions of Clinical and Field Components of EMS Courses
    • Effective immediately, the portion of Advisory 20-05-01 that continued the suspension of clinical and field internship components of EMS courses, is rescinded.
• DPH Guidance, updated September 16, 2020: Advisory 20-05-01 - Partial Lifting of In-Person EMS Course and Psychomotor Exam Suspensions. This replaces guidance issued April 3 and first updated May 23.
• DPH Memorandum 20/05/23 - Modification to EMT Psychomotor Exam Processes During COVID-19 State of Emergency – issued May 23, replacing guidance issued April 3.
• DPH Guidance, April 10: AR 2-305: Minimum Skill Requirements for Paramedic Training
• DPH Guidance, April 6:
  • Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Guidance for First Responders and EMS Entering Long Term Care Facilities
  • Nursing Home FAQs for First Responders & Municipalities
• DPH Guidance, April 3:
  • Waiver for EMS Transport of Emergency Patients in Impending Childbirth or with Pregnancy Complications to Designated Alternate Sites on Hospital Grounds
• Updated EMT Recertification Guidance, April 1: DPH has temporarily extended EMT certifications that would have expired 4/1/2020, that had not been previously renewed and which were in good standing, until 90 days after the termination of the state of emergency. These replace guidance issued March 18.
  • AR 2-248: Deadlines for Renewal of Certification, and Reinstatement Procedures for Massachusetts Certified EMT-Basics – Updated 4/1/20
  • AR 2-353: Deadlines for Renewal of Certification, and Reinstatement Procedures for Massachusetts Certified Advanced EMTs and Paramedics – Updated 4/1/20
• DPH Memo, March 31: Temporary Approval of Mobile Integrated Health Care (MIH) Programs
• DPH Emergency Waiver, March 29: Temporary Waiver for Non-Transport of Certain COVID-19-Only Patients
• Emergency Statewide Treatment Protocols:
  • Emergency Update to Protocol 7.3: Medical Orders for Life Sustaining Treatment (MOLST) and Comfort Care/ Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) Order Verification - 4/3/20
  • 1.3 Emergency Non-Transport Protocol – 3/29/20 
  • 1.3 Emergency Non-Transport Memo – 3/29/20
  • 1.2 Patient At Risk for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) | Doc – updated 4/28/20
• DPH Guidance, March 24: 
  • Advisory 20-03-03, Extending First Responder Training
  • Update to AR 2-317, allowing for 2 years for course completion
• DPH Guidance, March 20: Advisory 03-20-20: Unprotected Exposure Reporting to EMS Personnel and First Responders for COVID-19
• DPH Guidance: March 20: Emergency Measures Relating to EMS Due to COVID-19 Outbreak
• Emergency Waiver (March 20): Waiver issued to sections of 105 CMR 170.305 to reduce required staffing of each ambulance to one EMT and/or one Paramedic, depending on level of ambulance, with a driver who is a first responder, as defined in MGL c. 111, section 111C and 105 CMR 171.000 (excluding lifeguards).
• Order of the Commissioner of Public Health Regarding the Sharing of Critical Information with First Responders (March 18)

Caregivers

• DPH Guidance for all health care organizations and providers, December 16^th: Considerations for Health Care Personnel After COVID-19 Vaccination
• DPH guidance for all healthcare facilities, September 25: Updated Anterior Nares (Nasal Swab) Specimen Collection by Unlicensed Healthcare Personnel
• Guidance for family members of Nursing Facility, Rest Home or Assisted Living residents, April 9: Considerations for Moving a Loved One Home from a Nursing Facility, Rest Home or Assisted Living Residence
• DPH Guidance for all workers, updated December 7: Return to Work Guidance PDF | Doc

For long term care facilities

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

• DPH Guidance, January 13: Guidance for Allocation of COVID-19 Monoclonal Antibody Therapeutics in Non-Hospital Settings
  • Bamlanivimab Infusion Checklist
  • Required Data Collection Elements for Patients Receiving COVID-19 Monoclonal Antibodies Therapeutic Infusions, Bamlanivimab, and Casirimab/Imdevimab
  • Bamlanivimab Resource Request Form
• DPH Guidance, January 6: Updated Comprehensive Personal Protective Equipment
  • This guidance replaces Comprehensive Personal Protective Equipment guidance published on July 6 and May 21
• Signs for Facilities:
  • Caution Signs for Isolated Individuals in Long-Term Care Facilities
  • Caution Signs for Quarantined Individuals in Long-Term Care Facilities
  • Caution Sign – General PPE Precautions (updated January 11, 2021)
  • Hand Hygiene and PPE Observations
• DPH Guidance, December 23: Guidance Regarding Seasonal Influenza Vaccination of Healthcare Personnel at Massachusetts Nursing Homes and Rest Homesfor the 2020-2021 Season
  • This document replaces the November 6 memorandum
• DPH Guidance, December 7: December Update to Caring for Long-Term Care Residents during the COVID-19 Emergency
  • This guidance replaces guidance published on November 18, September 15, July 30 and April 29.
• DPH Guidance, December 7: Limitation on Visitors in Long-Term Care Facilities during the COVID-19 Outbreak 
  • This guidance replaces the November 4,  September 15, August 17, July 20, July 2, June 1, and March 16, 2020 Memorandum
  • Reporting Template for Submitting Positive and Negative Test Results
• DPH Guidance, December 7: Long-Term Care Facility Staff and Resident Roster Reporting to the Center for Health Information and Analysis (CHIA)
  • Roster Submission Template
• DPH Guidance, December 7: Updates to Long-Term care Surveillance Testing
  • This document replaces the November 23, October 5, August 27, August 17 and July 1 memorandums.
  • FAQ: Surveillance Testing in Long-Term Care Facilities
• DPH Guidance, December 29: BinaxNOW Rapid Point of Care COVID-19 Testing for Long-Term Care Facilities
  • This document replaces the December 7 and November 23 memorandum.
  • Long-Term Care BinaxNOW Maximum Order Volumes (updated December 29)
• DPH Guidance, November 13: Updated Guidance for Implementing Order of the Commissioner of the Public Health Regarding Control of COVID-19 in Long-Term Care Facilities.
  • List of Long-Term Care Facilities with Current Admissions Freezes, updated January 21
• DPH Memo, October 28: Resumption of Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) Testing
• DPH Guidance, October 16: Considerations for Caring for COVID-19 Recovered Residents
• DPH Guidance, October 5: Point of Care Testing Devices for Nursing Homes
  • Reporting Template for Submitting Positive and Negative Test Results
• DPH Guidance, July 30: Allowing Non-Essential Personnel in Long-Term Care Facilities
• DPH Guidance, July 1:
  • DPH Guidance, July 14: Guidance for Rest Home Surveillance Testing
  • EMS Regions for Long Term Care Facilities
• DPH Guidance, June 4: Training and Supervision of Nurse Aide and Feeding Assistant Staff
• EOHHS Guidance, May 15: Description of EOHHS Nursing Facility Staffing and Technical Support Resources | Doc
• DPH Guidance, April 28: Reporting Requirement Extensions for Health Care Facilities
• DPH/DMH Update, April 27: 
  • COVID-19 Nursing Facility Accountability and Support | Doc
  • Massachusetts Nursing Facility Infection Control Competency Checklist | Doc
• DPH Guidance, April 13: Extension of Time for Inspecting, Re-Stocking and Resealing of Emergency Medication Kit
• DPH Guidance, April 6:
  • Caring for Long-Term Care Residents during the COVID-19 Emergency
  • Personal Protective Equipment Requests, New Signage for COVID-19 Resident Rooms, and Reporting COVID-19 Deaths in Long-Term Care Facilities
• DPH Guidance, March 30: N95 Filtering Face Piece Fit Testing Requirements
• On March 27, the Baker-Polito administration established dedicated skilled nursing facilities to care for people with COVID-19. Beaumont Rehabilitation and Skilled Nursing Center in Worcester will be the first of these designated sites. Read the COVID-19 Dedicated Nursing Facility Letter. 
• DPH guidance letter, March 4: Updated Guidance on Strategies to Optimize Use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
• CDC guidance: Strategies to Prevent the Spread of COVID-19 in Long-Term Care Facilities (LTCF)
• DPH guidance letter, February 27: COVID-19 Guidance: Nursing Home and Rest Homes
• CDC guidance: Resources for Healthcare Facilities
• CDC steps to take: Steps Healthcare Facilities Can Take Now to Prepare for COVID-19
• DPH fact sheet: Alcohol-Based Hand Rub in Long Term Care Facilities

For congregate care programs

Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS) issued guidance for organizations that operate congregate care programs and updated this guidance on April 14: April 14 Updated Residential and Congregate Care Guidance.

This audience includes group homes and residential treatment programs funded, operated, licensed, and/or regulated by:

• The Department of Early Education and Care (DEEC),
• Department of Children and Families (DCF),
• Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA),
• Department of Youth Services (DYS),
• Department of Mental Health (DMH),
• Department of Public Health (DPH),
• Department of Developmental Services (DDS),
• Massachusetts Commission for the Blind (MCB), or
• Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission (MRC).

For assisted living residences

• Executive Office of Elder Affairs (EOEA) Guidance, December 30: BinaxNOW Guidance for Assisted Living Residences
• DPH guidance, updated November 23: Long Term Care Surveillance Testing
  • FAQ: Surveillance Testing in Long-Term Care Facilities
  • EMS Regions for Long Term Care Facilities
• Executive Office of Elder Affairs (EOEA) Guidance: ALR Social Visits and Indoor Congregate Activities Guidance, Appendix A COVID-19 Reporting Template updated January 20, 2021.
  • This replaces the November 9, September 21, July 2, June 1 and March 16 memoranda
• DPH order on Assisted Living Residents' visitor restrictions, March 15: Assisted Living Visitor Restrictions Order

For Early Intervention Providers

Guidance for Massachusetts Early Intervention vendor agencies:

• COVID-19 - Massachusetts Early Intervention Telehealth Guidelines

MA EI Telehealth Policy for Specialty Providers:

• ABA Services
• DIR/Floortime Services
• Vision Loss and Deaf/Hard of Hearing

For in-home caregivers

Guidance for agency based in-home caregivers & workers (e.g. Home Health Agencies, Personal Care Management Agencies, Home Care Agencies, Adult Foster Care, etc.): 

• Agency In-Home Care COVID-19 Guidance

Guidance for agencies working with the DPH Bureau of Family Health and Nutrition:

• BFHN Phase III Guidance, updated August 10
• Reopening Massachusetts: Guidance for Home Visiting Services Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
• COVID-19 - Guidance for BFHN Home Visiting Program Managers

Guidance for non-agency based in-home caregivers (e.g. PCAs, Independent Nurses, etc.): 

• Non Agency In Home Care COVID-19 Guidance

For community day programs

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

• DPH Guidance, November 6: Guidance Regarding Seasonal Influenza Vaccination of Healthcare Personnel at Massachusetts Adult Day Health Programs for the 2020-2021 Influenza Season
• DPH Guidance, March 12: Community Day Program COVID-19 Guidance 

Businesses

DPH Guidance:

• Mold and Legionella Reopening Guidance, issued May 22
• DPH guidance for all workers, updated December 7: Return to Work Guidance PDF | Doc

Recreational Camps for Children

EEC, EOE, and DPH Guidance:

• Massachusetts Child and Youth Serving Programs Reopen Approach
• Minimum Requirements for Health and Safety
• Recreational Camps and Programs Health and Safety Checklist for Phase Two Reopening Plan

Homeless Shelters

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

Referral information: COVID-19 Isolation and Recovery Sites

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 emergency orders, materials for communicating with the public, and shareable preparedness resources.

Determination of Need (DON) 

On March 24, the Department of Public Health issued an emergency order exempting certain activities from determination of need approval, that are necessary to address COVID-19. Updated Guidance (Nov. 24th): Requesting Determination of Need (DoN) Approval for projects related to COVID-19 during the State of Emergency.

Guidance was issued on April 6 indicating no DoN dates will be assigned during the state of emergency for any application filed on or after March 10, 2020: Notice Regarding Determination of Need Applications Filed During the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency.