COVID News

What is Monkeypox?

Monkeypox is a rare disease caused by infection with the monkeypox virus. The disease can spread to anyone through close, personal, often skin-to-skin contact. People with monkeypox get a rash that may be located on or near the or on other areas like the hands, feet, chest, face, or mouth. The illness typically lasts 2-4 weeks. The CDC recommends vaccination for people who have been exposed to monkeypox and people who may be more likely to get monkeypox. To prevent contracting monkeypox: (1) avoid close, skin-to-skin contact with people who have a rash that looks like monkeypox; (2) avoid contact with objects and materials that a person with monkeypox has used; (3) your hands often.

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Updated COVID-19 Guidelines for Exposure and Testing 08/22/2022

The CDC has updated its guidance for isolation and testing for individuals with close contact (exposure) to someone with COVID-19 and for those with a positive test. If you have been exposed to someone with COVID-19, monitor your symptoms and test for COVID-19 the earlier of the onset of symptoms or six days after exposure if there are no symptoms. Mask for 10 days when out of the house. If you test positive, isolate for 5 days, and if symptoms have improved or you had no symptoms, mask for another 5 days after leaving isolation.

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Important Change to Guest Services’ COVID-19 Vaccination Policy

In light of the improved Community Level rates across the country and our company’s overall vaccination rate above 90%, we are suspending weekly testing for most unvaccinated employees effective April 1, 2022. Per federal regulations, employees at our Senior Living facilities and certain federal facilities are still required to test. Employees at those respective units should check with their supervisor regarding testing requirements. As a reminder, all unvaccinated employees must continue to mask indoors while at the workplace.

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UPDATED Mask Policy

The CDC recently moved from a masking advisory based on COVID-19 transmission rates to a Community Level based on new infections, hospitalizations, and available hospital beds.
IMPORTANT NOTE:  At this time, there is no change to the masking requirement for all Senior Living employees, specifically at St. Anthony’s and The Cove. These employees must continue to mask indoors regardless of vaccination status.

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Town Hall Recordings

Vaccination Update - Testing Procedures and Exemption Protocols

We sincerely appreciate all of your patience and commitment to our Vaccination Policy.  While new information is released in the news on Federal and State requirements just about every week, one thing is certain – COVID continues to be a public health crisis with rising cases throughout the country with the  Omicron variant.   We have closely monitored these ongoing developments and want to make it clear that our Guest Services Policy has not changed.   The health and safety of our employees and guests is our top priority.  As previously communicated, we believe that the best way to combat COVID-19 is by means of an FDA approved vaccine.  The FDA approved vaccines have been available for over 9 months now and it has been conclusively demonstrated that vaccination is the best way to prevent infection, lessen the severity if you are infected, and help stop the spread of COVID-19.

We also understand that some employees may still be hesitant to get vaccinated, so we developed our policy that allows for exemptions to vaccination.  For those who for medical reasons cannot be vaccinated, or for those whose sincerely held religious belief is that they do not take vaccines, we are offering an exemption to this policy.  Exempted employees will need to test weekly and mask daily.  For our employees in Florida, we have a Vaccinate or Test policy, where, because of state law and OSHA regulations, we are giving those employees the opportunity to “opt-out” of getting vaccinated, but will still need to test weekly and wear a mask.  The “opt-out” option specific to Florida will be available in Qualtrics December 27. Vaccinated employees in counties where the COVID transmission rate is “Substantial” or “High” will also need to be masked while at work.

We are using the Qualtrics Vaccination Tracker to keep track of the vaccination status of all of our employees.  Every employee must complete the Tracker by January 4, 2022.  This is an absolute requirement, as failure to complete will result in jeopardizing your employment with the Company.  Per our Policy, all employees must either be Vaccinated, have started the process of getting vaccinated, or receive an exemption from vaccination (Florida employees may opt out of vaccination), by January 18, 2022.  In order to meet the January 18 deadline, submissions in Qualtrics must be completed by January 4.

For those employees who are not yet vaccinated by January 18 – either have started the process or received an exemption (opt out in Florida) – guidance on the mandatory weekly testing and daily mask wearing is attached.  With the Omicron variant being highly contagious, mask wearing should begin immediately.  Weekly testing will begin January 16, and proof of testing will need to be uploaded into Qualtrics on a going forward basis.  Without weekly proof of a negative COVID-19 test, beginning January 20, unvaccinated employees will not be permitted to come to work.

If you have further questions, please reach out to our Human Resources department, our Director of Safety and Security, or email Compliance@GuestServices.com.

We appreciate your support and attention to this important matter.  Thank you again for keeping yourself, fellow employees, and our guests safe and healthy.

For Your Health

For Your Finances

Questions? Please email hr@guestservices.com

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