COVID-19 HEALTH AND SAFETY GUIDELINES FOR AGENCIES
As national and local guidelines frequently change during this dynamic COVID-19 period, we will continue to update this page to coincide with new and/or modified recommendations. Staying informed and keeping our agencies/nonprofits safe are of paramount importance to us. To do your part in helping your community and combating COVID-19, we encourage you to read the following guidelines carefully and seriously.
Please note that although we will try to diligently monitor and update guidelines for you here, the most up-to-date information will be found first on the CDC, state health, and county health websites. Refer back to our "COVID-19: United Way of the Midlands Page for Volunteers and Agencies" homepage for their website links and contact information.
Recommendations for Agency Site:
- Have COVID-19 prevention supplies (e.g., soap, alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol, tissues, paper towels, trash baskets, disinfectant spray/wipes, a couple of disposable facemasks in case someone becomes sick during event and needs to leave) available and visible at your site. This is especially important in bathrooms, eating spaces, entrances/exits, at registration desks, and in commonly shared spaces.
- Display signs that instruct proper hygiene and social distancing around site. Click here for some printables from the CDC.
- Identify and have a designated space that can be used to separate sick people, if needed. During an event, if someone becomes sick, separate them into this isolated room and tell them to leave as soon as possible.
- Organize site and volunteer space in a way that encourages social distancing practices. For example, some stores and sites have taped/marked the floor where volunteers/clients/employees should stand at different stations. Taped/marked areas were usually spaced 6-10 feet apart from other taped/marked areas.
- Ensure that surfaces, bathrooms, and shared spaces are cleaned and disinfected regularly, per the CDC instructions.
Recommendations for Employees:
- Do NOT be on-site and in contact with clients and volunteers IF you older (65 years and older) or have underlying health conditions.
- Stay informed! Periodically check the CDC, county health, and state health websites for new or revised guidelines.
- Identify a list of key contacts at your local and/or state health departments to help you stay informed and updated. Perhaps sign up for weekly emails or meeting calls/video chats with these contacts.
- Do NOT shake hands with anyone.
- If staff are handling client belongings, use disposable gloves that get changed regularly.
- Review and educate other employees about CDC guidelines for washing your hands: PDF link
- Be prepared to report cases of respiratory illness that might be COVID-19 to your local health department and to transport people with severe illnesses to medical facilities.
- Limit visitors to facility.
- Consider setting up volunteer opportunities that either minimize human contact OR are virtual volunteer opportunities (e.g., administrative work, mobile apps, etc.).
Recommendations to Guide and Protect Your Volunteers:
- Check in (e.g., via email) with volunteers 24 hours before a shift to provide them with specific instructions and additional health/safety guidelines that you think are important to know.
- Consider making electronic-versions of waivers that volunteers sign and send in before arriving to minimize contact.
- Consider having volunteers check-in verbally by telling a person at the front desk (6 ft. away) their first and last names, email, etc., which will minimize contact with shared pens, pencils, and paper. In this case, the person at the front desk will record all check-ins.
- Check in with your volunteers periodically to ensure that they are feeling healthy, safe, and comfortable.
- During an event, if someone appears or becomes sick, separate them into a designated isolated room and instruct them to leave as soon as possible.
