NSCI COVID-19 Guidelines

NSCI COVID-19 Guidelines

Revised January 12, 2022

Click Here for Specific Guidelines for Goodman Center Families

These guidelines are designed to protect the health and safety of all those visiting, working, or participating at an event at North Shore Congregation Israel.

Self-Screen Checklist
COVID-19 affects different people in different ways. Infected people have had a wide range of symptoms reported – from mild symptoms to severe illness.
Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. People with these symptoms may have COVID-19:

• Fever or chills
• Cough
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Fatigue
• Muscle or body aches
• Headache
• New loss of taste or smell
• Sore throat
• Congestion or runny nose
• Nausea or vomiting
• Diarrhea

Room Capacity 
Room capacity throughout the building has been reduced to allow for social distancing. These are guidelines based upon square footage of each room. Staff members can use this as a guide when setting up a room depending on the type of set up. Three feet of social distancing should be maintained. 

Masks
Indoors
Masks are required for everyone over the age of 2 except when eating or drinking. Signage will indicate our mask policy. All those using the building will be asked to keep their masks on at all times, except when eating or drinking. Individuals unwilling to follow this policy will be asked to leave the building. Senior Staff and/or security personnel will be the final arbiter of this policy. Staff and service leaders may remove their masks if they are in an area that allows them to maintain 6’ distance between them and others. 

Outdoors
Those who are fully vaccinated are not required to wear masks outdoors unless the activities require close contact with known unvaccinated populations, i.e. children 5 and under.

Singing
Children in the Religious school can sing if masked and maintain a 6’ separation in a large ventilated room. Utilizing an outdoor setting is preferred when possible. Adults should also maintain six feet of separation when singing. 

Testing Positive (employees)
If an employee tests positive for COVID-19, the employee shall promptly notify the Director of Operations of the positive result. The Director of Operations will maintain the confidentiality of the employee’s identity but reserves the right to notify individuals that an employee has tested positive for COVID-19. NSCI will notify, to the extent allowable by applicable privacy laws, persons who were close contacts as soon as possible after we are notified that someone has tested positive. 

Testing Positive (students)
If a student in the religious school tests positive for COVID-19, the family shall promptly notify the Director of Education of the positive result. The Director of Education will maintain the confidentiality of the student's identity but reserves the right to notify families that a classmate has tested positive for COVID-19. NSCI will notify, to the extent allowable by applicable privacy laws, persons who were close contacts as soon as possible after we are notified that someone has tested positive. 

Returning to NSCI after testing positive:
The employee or student may return to NSCI after the following:
At least 10 days since symptoms first appeared, at least 24 hours with no fever without fever-reducing medication and other symptoms of COVID-19 are improving. Loss of taste and smell may persist for weeks or months after recovery and need not delay the end of isolation. Employees may continue to work remotely if their health permits.

If you come into close contact with someone with COVID-19:

You should quarantine for at least 5 days (day 0 through day 5) after your last close contact if you are in one of the following groups:

• People who are ages 18 and older and completed the primary series of recommended vaccine, but have not received a recommended booster shot when eligible.
• People ages 5-17 who have not completed a primary vaccine series.*
• People who are not vaccinated.

*Youth participating in a “Test to Stay” program in their school do not need to quarantine unless they present symptoms of COVID-19. 

You do NOT need to quarantine if you are in one of the following groups:

• People who are ages 18 and older and have received all recommended vaccine doses, including boosters and additional primary shots for some immunocompromised people.
• People who are ages 5–17 years and completed the primary series of COVID-19 vaccines.
• People who had confirmed COVID-19 within the last 90 days (tested positive using a viral test).

Everyone should wear a well-fitting mask around others for 10 days from the date of their last close contact with someone with COVID-19 (the date of last close contact is considered day 0). They should get tested at least 5 days after their last close contact with someone with COVID-19, unless they had confirmed COVID-19 in the last 90 days and subsequently recovered. For 10 days after their last exposure to someone with COVID-19, they should watch for fever (100.4◦F or greater), cough, shortness of breath, or other COVID-19 symptoms. Those who test positive or develop COVID-19 symptoms should isolate themselves from other people and follow recommendations for isolation.

Quarantine
Stay home and away from other people for at least 5 days (day 0 through day 5) after your last close contact with a person who has COVID-19. The date of exposure is considered day 0. Wear a well-fitting mask when around others at home, if possible.

For 10 days after your last close contact to someone with COVID-19, watch for fever (100.4◦F or greater), cough, shortness of breath, or other COVID-19 symptoms.

If you develop symptoms, get tested immediately and isolate until you receive your test results. If you test positive, follow isolation recommendations.

If you do not develop symptoms, get tested at least 5 days after you last had close contact with someone with COVID-19.

If you test negative, you can leave home, but continue to wear a well-fitting mask when around others at home and in public until 10 days after your last close contact with someone with COVID-19.

If you test positive, you should isolate for at least 5 days from the date of your positive test (if you do not have symptoms). If you develop COVID-19 symptoms, isolate for at least 5 days from the date your symptoms began (the date the symptoms started is day 0). Follow recommendations in the isolation section.

Travel (for staff and program participants)

• No travel for work is permitted unless that individual is fully vaccinated. 
• Check a destination’s COVID-19 situation before traveling. State, local, and territorial governments may have travel restrictions in place.
• Participants must be fully vaccinated in order to participate in  programs that involve overnight travel. 
• Masks must be worn throughout the duration of the trip with the exception of  while eating or drinking. 
• Wearing a mask over a nose and mouth is required in indoor areas of public transportation (including airplanes) and indoors in U.S. transportation hubs (including airports).
• Staff should not travel if they have been exposed to COVID-19, if they  are sick, or if they test positive for COVID-19.
• Staff who are not fully vaccinated and must travel for personal reasons should get tested after their trip.
• Program participants who are travelling should abide by the guidelines established by their county health department. 

Currently, individuals do NOT have to quarantine after returning from domestic travel. However, unvaccinated individuals should get tested 3-5 days after returning from their trip and should monitor for symptoms of COVID-19 for 14 days. Local government guidelines should be referenced and followed.

Proof of Vaccination
NSCI is requiring signed attestation of vaccination from all employees. This will be administered by the Executive Director.

Food
In an effort to take extra precautions, food service at NSCI programs is being kept to a minimum. When food needs to be served, additional effort must be taken to ensure distancing. Masks may be removed ONLY during consumption of food or drink and must be replaced when moving throughout the venue. Specific guidelines will be developed based on the unique variables of each event.