EOHHS Congregate Care
- DPH Advisory, January 21, 2022: Medication Administration in HOCs and DOC Facilities during Public Health Emergency
- DPH Guidance, January 19, 2022: Prepackaged Medication Administration by Non-MAP Certified staff in Registered Community Programs
PLEASE NOTE: As of December 30, 2021, all non-health care congregate care settings/residential programs and shelters should adhere to the Isolation and Quarantine Guidance for the General Public. This recently updated guidance includes: group homes, residential treatment programs, community-based acute residential treatment programs, and clinical stabilization service programs funded, operated, licensed, and/or regulated by the Department of Early Education and Care (EEC), the Department of Children and Families (DCF), the Department of Youth Services (DYS), the Department of Mental Health (DMH), the Department of Public Health (DPH), the Department of Developmental Services (DDS), the Department of Veterans' Services (DVS), the Massachusetts Commission for the Blind (MCB), and the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission (MRC). Additionally, this guidance applies to emergency shelter programs, including individual and family homeless shelters, domestic violence and sexual assault shelters, Veterans’ shelters, including those funded by the Department of Housing and Community Development, and approved private special education schools which offer residential services and are approved by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.
Guidance for Congregate Care Programs
- EOHHS COVID-19 guidance for organizations that operate congregate care programs, January 3, 2022
- This guidance replaces congregate care guidance dated November 19, 2021, August 4, 2021, July 9, 2021, June 14, 2021, and March 22, 2021.
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)
- 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, 2020 update
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
Health Care Professionals
- DPH Guidance, issued December 29, 2021: Isolation and Quarantine for Health Care Personnel
- DPH Guidance to implement the DPH Order authorizing additional individuals to vaccinate, June 14, 2021
- Considerations for Health Care Personnel After COVID-19 Vaccination, December 16, 2020
Clinicians
- Guidance implementing Order of the Commissioner of Public Health (COVID-19 Public Health Emergency Order No. 2022-02) regarding unsupervised practice by physician assistants (issued January 13, 2022)
- Information for providers about therapeutic treatments for COVID-19, including guidance, provider referral form, and the Monoclonal Antibody Therapy Locator
- COVID-19 Vaccine Breakthrough Hospitalization and Death Report Form
- Notification to Test Contacts Regardless of Symptoms | Doc, issued May 11, 2020
- 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.
Lab professionals
- DPH Guidance, August 30, 2021: COVID-19 Variant Reporting and Specimen Requests Memo
- DPH Guidance, June 14, 2021: Temporary Laboratory License for CLIA-waived COVID-19 Testing and Clinical Laboratory Alternate Sites
- 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
Sexual and Domestic Violence (SDV) service providers
- COVID-19 Guidance for SDV Programs, updated April 23, 2020
School health professionals
DPH guidance for school nurses and other school personnel:
- Information for School Health Offices, updated January 4, 2022
- Handwashing/Sanitizer Guidance and Limited Waiver of 105 CMR 210.000 Related to Sanitizer, June 10, 2021
Temporary Nursing Agencies
DPH guidance for registered temporary nursing agencies in Massachusetts:
- Temporary Nursing Agencies Rates, February 16, 2021
Health Care Organizations
- DPH Guidance, January 14, 2022: Provider Credentialing and Transfer of Clinical Staff at Healthcare Facilities
- COVID-19 Vaccination Letter to Health Care Facilities and Organizations - Medicare and Medicaid Programs, November 19, 2021
- This DPH letter to providers communicates the COVID-19 vaccination requirements for healthcare care facilities and organizations that participate in the Medicare and Medicaid program.
- Considerations for Health Care Personnel After COVID-19 Vaccination, December 16, 2020
- Updated Anterior Nares (Nasal Swab) Specimen Collection by Unlicensed Healthcare Personnel, September 25, 2020
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:
- DPH Guidance, April 6, 2022: Updated Guidance Regarding Implementation of Alternate Acute Inpatient Care Space
- This guidance replaces guidance issued by the Department on February 23, 2022, December 10, 2021, August 31, 2021, June 28, 2021 and June 14, 2021.
- DPH Hospital Visitation Guidance, updated February 23, 2022
- This guidance replaces guidance issued by the Department on January 5, 2022, July 22,2021, March 16, 2020, June 6, 2020, September 16, 2020, and June 14, 2021.
- DPH Guidance, February 23, 2022: Guidance Regarding Non-Essential, Non-Urgent Scheduled Procedures
- This guidance replaces guidance issued by the Department on February 4, 2022, December 21, December 10, November 26, 2021 and November 23, 2021.
- DPH Memorandum, February 18, 2022: Skilled Nursing Facility Short-Term Rehab Temporary Program
- This memorandum replaces the memorandum issued on January 25, 2022.
- DPH Guidance, updated January 28, 2022: Procedures and Requirements for Hospitals/Clinics Dispensing COVID-19 Oral Antivirals
- DPH Guidance, January 5, 2022: Hospital Transfer and Discharge Guidance
- This guidance replaces guidance issued by the Department on December 31, 2020.
- DPH Guidance, December 10, 2021: Space on Hospital Premises for Patient Treatment
- This guidance replaces the guidance released on October 26, 2021 and June 14, 2021
- Monoclonal antibody (mAb) therapy information for providers, including guidance, Monoclonal Antibody Report & Request Form, and the Monoclonal Antibody Therapy Locator
- DPH Guidance, September 17, 2021: COVID-19 Resurgence Planning and Response Guidance for Acute Care Hospitals
- DPH Guidance, July 30, 2021: WebEOC Data Reporting for COVID-19
- DPH Guidance, May 26, 2022: Vaccination of Admitted Patients
- This memorandum replaces the memorandum released by the Department on May 24, 2021.
- DPH Guidance, July 31, 2020: Update to Defining Aerosol Generating Procedures and Recommended PPE
- Reminder about the importance of newborn screening and testing, April 14, 2020: Newborn Screening and COVID-19
- Temporary changes in policy for newborn hearing screening, April 17, 2020: Letter to Birth Hospitals
- Information for Academic Medical Centers, April 4, 2020:
- 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.
Non-Acute Care Hospitals
- DPH Guidance, October 14, 2021: Considerations for Caring for COVID-19 Recovered Residents
- This guidance replaces the memorandum released on June 28, 2021.
- DPH Guidance, May 24, 2021: Vaccination of Admitted Patients
- DPH Guidance, May 22, 2020: Caring for Non-Acute Care Hospital Patients
Clinics
- DPH Guidance, October 26, 2021: Clinic Space for COVID-19 Testing, Treatment and Vaccine Administration
- This guidance replaces the guidance released on June 14, 2021
- DPH Guidance, July 31, 2020: Update to Defining Aerosol Generating Procedures and Recommended PPE
Dialysis Facilities
- DPH Guidance, January 31, 2022: Implementation of Order of the Commissioner of Public Health Regarding Staffing at Out-of-Hospital Dialysis Units
Substance Addiction Service Providers
DPH guidance:
- Ensuring Access by Reducing Barriers to Admission Related to COVID-19, effective February 22, 2021.
- Required Reporting of COVID-19 Positive Cases by BSAS Licensees and Contractors, January 5, 2021
- Waivers from Certain Regulatory Requirements, updated June 14, 2021
- Appropriate Use of Alcohol-Based Hand Sanitizer in Substance Use Disorder Treatment, revised June 9, 2021
- Overdose Response and COVID-19 Transmission Risk, June 4, 2020
-
- For Section 35 providers: Section 35 Visitor Guidance, March 23, 2020
- For Opioid Treatment Programs: COVID-19 Medication Dosing in Opioid Treatment Programs, revised June 19, 2021
Emergency Responders & Law Enforcement
DPH has issued guidance to emergency responders and has shared important guidance from the CDC, including:
Caregivers
- DPH guidance for all health care organizations and providers, December 16, 2020: Considerations for Health Care Personnel After COVID-19 Vaccination
- DPH guidance for all healthcare facilities, September 25, 2020: 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, 2020: Considerations for Moving a Loved One Home from a Nursing Facility, Rest Home or Assisted Living Residence
For long term care facilities
Signs for Facilities:
- Caution Signs for Isolated Individuals in Long-Term Care Facilities (updated January 25, 2022)
- Caution Signs for Quarantined Individuals in Long-Term Care Facilities (updated January 25, 2022)
- Caution Sign - Enhanced Precautions (updated February 2, 2022)
- Hand Hygiene and PPE Observations
DPH has issued guidance to long term care facilities and has shared important guidance from the CDC, including:
- DPH Guidance, May 10, 2022: Nurse Aide Testing Requirements and On-Site Observation and Work Credit for Nurse Aide Training
- DPH Guidance, April 4, 2022: Antigen Rapid Point of Care COVID-19 Testing for Long-Term Care Facility Visitors
- DPH Guidance, March 25, 2022: Updated Long-Term Care COVID-19 Personnel Vaccination Requirement
- This guidance replaces guidance issued on January 14, 2022; September 24, 2021, August 16, 2021 and August 4, 2021 for nursing homes and guidance issued on September 24, 2021 for rest homes.
- DPH Guidance, updated March 24, 2022: BinaxNOW Rapid Point of Care COVID-19 Testing for Long-Term Care Facilities
- This document replaces the December 15, 2021; August 4, 2021, May 25, 2021, March 30, 2021, January 21, 2021, December 29, 2020, December 7, 2020, and November 23, 2020 memorandum.
- Long-Term Care BinaxNOW Maximum Order Volumes (updated March 24, 2022)
- DPH Guidance, updated January 27, 2022: Updated Guidance for Implementing Order of the Commissioner of the Public Health Regarding Control of COVID-19 in Long-Term Care Facilities
- This guidance replaces guidance issued by the Department on January 6, 2022, July 12, 2021 and June 14, 2021.
- List of Long-Term Care Facilities with Current Admissions Freezes, updated May 27, 2022
- DPH Guidance, updated January 25, 2022: Caring for Long-Term Care Residents during the COVID-19 Emergency
- This guidance replaces guidance published on January 3, 2022, December 15, 2021, September 24, 2021, August 4, 2021, June 18, 2021, May 24, 2021, March 12, 2021, December 7, 2020, November 18, 2020, September 15, 2020, July 30, 2020 and April 29, 2020.
- EHS/DPH Memorandum, January 6, 2022: Skilled Nursing Facility Short-Term Rehab Temporary Program
- DPH Guidance, January 6, 2022: Guidance on Visitation Conditions, Communal Dining, and Congregate Activities in LTCFs during the COVID-19 Outbreak
- This guidance replaces guidance issued by the Department on November 22, 2021, August 4, 2021 June 14, 2021, March 12, 2021, February 3, 2021, December 7, 2020, November 4, 2020, September 15, 2020, August 17, 2020, July 20, 2020, July 2, 2020, June 1, 2020, and March 16, 2020 Memorandum
- DPH Guidance, January 4, 2022: Rest Home COVID-19 Booster/Third Vaccination Dose Incentive Paymen
- DPH Guidance, November 9, 2021: COVID-19 Booster Dose Vaccination Guidance
- This memorandum replaces guidance released on September 27, 2021.
- COVID Vaccination Roster Template
- DPH Guidance, September 24, 2021: Updates to Long-Term Care Surveillance Testing
- This document replaces the August 4, 2021, May 5, 2021, March 12, December 7, November 23, October 5, August 27, August 17 and July 1 memorandums.
- FAQ: Surveillance Testing in Long-Term Care Facilities
- DPH Guidance, August 19, 2021: COVID-19 Additional Dose Vaccination Guidance for Immunocompromised Individuals
- DPH Guidance, July 30, 2021: Vaccination of Assisted Living and Long-Term Care Residents, Visitors, and Staff
- This guidance replaces guidance released on June 22, 2021.
- DPH Guidance, October 14, 2021: Considerations for Caring for COVID-19 Recovered Residents
- This guidance replaces the memorandum released on June 28, 2021.
- DPH Guidance, April 1, 2021: Update to Allowing Non-Essential Personnel in Long-Term Care Facilities
- This document replaces the July 30, 2020 memorandum
- DPH Guidance, March 26, 2021: COVID-19 Vaccination Reporting for Long-Term Care Facilities
- DPH Guidance, March 5, 2021: Guidance Regarding Seasonal Influenza Vaccination of Healthcare Personnel at Massachusetts Nursing Homes and Rest Homes for the 2020-2021 Season
- This document replaces the December 23 and November 6 memorandum
- DPH Guidance, October 5, 2020: Point of Care Testing Devices for Nursing Homes
- DPH Guidance, July 1, 2020:
- DPH Guidance, April 6, 2020: Personal Protective Equipment Requests, New Signage for COVID-19 Resident Rooms, and Reporting COVID-19 Deaths in Long-Term Care Facilities
- DPH fact sheet: Alcohol-Based Hand Rub in Long Term Care Facilities
For assisted living residences
- Executive Office of Elder Affairs (EOEA) guidance, April 8, 2022: Integrated Guidance and Resources for Assisted Living Residences (ALRs) During the COVID-19 Pandemic | Appendix B: COVID-19 Reporting Template
- This replaces the August 9, 2021, June 14, 2021, March 17, 2021, January 20, 2021, November 9, 2020, September 21, 2020, July 2, 2020, June 1. 2020 and March 16, 2020 Revised Guidance for Assisted Living Residences during COVID-19 memorandums
- DPH Guidance, August 4, 2021: Updates to Long-Term Care Surveillance Testing
- This document replaces the May 5, 2021, March 12, December 7, November 23, October 5, August 27, August 17 and July 1 memorandums.
- FAQ: Surveillance Testing in Long-Term Care Facilities
- Executive Office of Elder Affairs (EOEA) guidance, updated June 22, 2021: Vaccination Opportunities for ALRs Post Federal Pharmacy Partnership Program
- EOEA Guidance to implement the DPH Order regarding authorization for skilled nursing care and staffing updates in assisted living facilities, June 15, 2021.
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:
For in-home caregivers
- Notice, February 24, 2022: Notice Extending Compliance Deadline for COVID-19 Vaccinations for Certain Staff Providing Home Care Services to March 21, 2022
- 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: Reopening Massachusetts: Guidance for BFHN Home Visiting Programs, updated June 21, 2021
- 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.):
- EOHHS COVID-19 Guidance for day programs - August 4, 2021
- This document replaces the July 26, 2021 and June 14, 2021 guidance.
- EOHHS COVID-19 Guidance for Human Service Transportation - June 24, 2021
- EOHHS COVID-19 Human Service Transportation Checklist - June 24, 2021
- DPH Guidance, November 6, 2020: Guidance Regarding Seasonal Influenza Vaccination of Healthcare Personnel at Massachusetts Adult Day Health Programs for the 2020-2021 Influenza Season
For hospice programs
- DPH Guidance, January 16, 2021: Updated COVID-19 Personnel Vaccination Requirements for Hospice Programs
- Hospice Program COVID-19 Vaccination Questions
- Appendix A: Hospice COVID Vaccination Template
- This guidance replaces guidance issued on September 24, 2021.
Businesses
DPH guidance:
- Mold and Legionella Reopening Guidance, issued May 22, 2020
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
- Standing Order for Dispensing Over-the-Counter (OTC) Diagnostic Tests for SARS-CoV-2, pursuant to COVID-19 Public Health Emergency Order No. 2022-06, issued January 14, 2022.
- DPH Guidance to implement the DPH Order regarding access to certain immunization information for insurance carriers and MassHealth.