(1)
Testing
Requirement. Staff at the following Agency facilities will receive
periodic COVID-19 tests:
(a) state
hospitals;
(b) the Chelsea and
Holyoke Soldiers' Homes;
(c)
state-operated congregate care facilities; and
(d) any other Agency facility designated by
the Secretary.
(2)
Staff Subject to Testing Requirement. The following
staff are subject to mandatory, periodic testing for COVID-19 in accordance
with implementation guidance issued by EOHHS:
(a) All persons regularly reporting, whether
part-time or full-time, paid or unpaid, working, interning, or volunteering at
the physical facility or site, who have the potential for exposure to patients
or residents or to infectious materials, including body substances,
contaminated medical supplies and equipment, contaminated environmental
surfaces, or contaminated air;
(b)
Staff (whether employed directly by or contracted by an Agency) who are
potentially exposed to infectious agents that can be transmitted to and from
staff and patients or residents including, but not limited to, direct care
staff, clinicians, physicians, nurses, nursing assistants, therapists,
technicians, dental personnel, pharmacists, laboratory personnel, students and
trainees, and contractual personnel; and
(c) Staff not directly involved in patient or
resident care, but potentially exposed to infectious agents that can be
transmitted to and from staff and patients or residents (such as
administrative, clerical, dietary, housekeeping, human resources, laundry,
security, maintenance, or billing staff; chaplains; volunteers; or any other
individual working at the facility).
(3)
Staff Not Subject to
Testing. The following staff are not subject to the testing
requirement in 101 CMR 21.04(1):
(a) persons
who work entirely remotely or off-site;
(b) staff on leave, such as family medical
leave; or
(c) temporary staff
provided by the Commonwealth (such as by an EOHHS clinical rapid response team
or the Massachusetts National Guard).
(4)
Failure to Comply with
Testing Requirement. Agency staff who fail to comply with the
testing requirement will be subject to discipline, up to and including,
termination. Contracted staff will not be permitted to work at the
facility.
