Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) released updated guidance modifying masking requirements for residential care facilities serving older adults and people with disabilities. The changes come after the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommended mask use for vaccinated individuals indoors in areas where cases are surging.
Changes include:
- Requiring universal mask use for staff, visitors, and residents in residential care facilities regardless of vaccination status.
- Requiring testing of fully vaccinated individuals who have had close contact with a COVID positive person. Testing will include both lab-based PCR immediately following the exposure and point-of-care testing, utilizing rapid testing daily during their incubation period.
In addition to the mask requirement changes, CDPHE continues to implement rapid testing for all unvaccinated staff and residents who leave the facility for longer than 24 hours.
According to Public Health Order 20-20, each facility must establish and maintain a COVID-19 vaccination plan that promotes vaccine confidence and acceptance and continues to offer vaccinations to all staff and residents. Continue to stay up to date by visiting covid19.colorado.gov/ltcf.
