Situation Report | April 5, 2021
What follows are COVID-19 briefs for April 5, 2021.
Travel Restrictions
The state Department of Health (DOH) has posted “Updated Interim Guidance for Quarantine Restrictions on Travelers Arriving in New York State.”
As of April 1, 2021, asymptomatic domestic travelers arriving in New York State from other U.S. states and territories are not required to test or quarantine. Domestic travelers do not need to quarantine if they are fully vaccinated or have recovered from laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 within the previous three months.
However, while not required, quarantine, consistent with the CDC recommendations for international travel, is still recommended for all other asymptomatic domestic travelers for either: 7 days with a test 3 to 5 days after travel; or 10 days without a test.
As of April 1, 2021, asymptomatic healthcare personnel (HCP) returning from travel to another U.S. state or territory may return to work upon arrival in New York State. Asymptomatic HCP returning from travel to another country must follow CDC’s international travel requirements consistent with this guidance.
Asymptomatic HCP returning from travel to another country can return to work upon completion of the CDC quarantine requirements except for HCP working in nursing homes, enhanced assisted living residences, or assisted living programs. These HCP cannot return to their workplace (i.e. must furlough) through the 14th day after return from international travel unless they meet the vaccination or recent COVID-19 recovery criteria to reduce the length of quarantine.
Vaccine Eligibility Expanded to 16 and Over This Week
On March 29, Governor Cuomo announced the expansion of COVID-19 vaccine eligibility in New York to all individuals 30 years and older (starting March 30) and to those 16 and older starting April 6.
Capital Region
The Capital Region is pulling names of home care staff from its pre-registration site and having vaccine scheduled for them, so agencies serving this region are advised to have their staff register at https://alb.518c19.com. The Capital Region covers Albany, Rensselaer, Greene, Columbia, Schenectady, Saratoga, Washington and Warren counties.
Home care agencies who have patients at home who want to get vaccinated can send those names to Ruth Leslie, from the Capital Region Vaccination Regional Advisory Task Force hub, at leslier@amc.edu.
Agencies should also check the Capital Region hub’s website at CapitalRegionVax.org for vaccination sites.
NYC Posts Medicaid COVID Alert
The New York City Human Resources Administration has posted an alert on Medicaid program modifications during the COVID-19 pandemic.
This information includes the following:
- Clients may attest to all elements of eligibility except Immigration Status and Identity, if immigration document does not also prove identity.
- Clients do not need to provide proof of their Medicare application; this requirement is waived for the period of the COVID-19 emergency.
- During the COVID-19 emergency, no Medicaid cases will be closed for failure to renew or failure to provide documentation. Any case that is closed for failure to renew or failure to provide documentation will be re-opened and coverage restored to ensure no gap in coverage. Renewals will be extended for 12 months.
- Clients who meet their surplus during the COVID-19 emergency will have their coverage extended for six months. Coverage will be extended for an additional six months if necessary to ensure no case loses coverage and if it would otherwise end during the COVID-19 emergency.
New Exposure Quarantine Guidance for Vaccinated Individuals
DOH has updated its quarantine guidance for community persons exposed to COVID-19.
Asymptomatic individuals who have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 do not need to quarantine after exposure to COVID-19. Fully vaccinated individuals exposed to COVID-19 who are experiencing related symptoms must isolate themselves, be clinically evaluated for COVID-19, and tested for COVID-19 if indicated.
Return to Work
DOH has also posted updated “Interim Health Advisory: Revised Protocols for Personnel in Healthcare and Other Direct Care Settings to Return to Work Following COVID-19 Exposure — Including Quarantine and Furlough Requirements for Different Healthcare Settings.”