TEMPORARY ADVISORY REGARDING FACE COVERINGS, CLOTH MASKS AND EMPLOYEE COVID TESTING
TEMPORARY ADVISORY REGARDING FACE COVERINGS, CLOTH MASKS AND EMPLOYEE COVID TESTING for the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe Community and Government Center and Tribal Properties. This advisory goes into effect Wednesday, July 21, 2021.
On Tuesday, July 20, 2021, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Director told the Senate Health Committee that the delta variant of the novel coronavirus is now responsible for 83 percent of all sequenced COVID-19 cases in the U.S.
On Tuesday, July 20, 2021, the Barnstable County Dept. of Human Services Deputy Director provided information stating that we are now seeing a marked case increase in Barnstable County. The spread of the Delta Variant is likely causing this resurgence in cases. Cases are being seen amongst both vaccinated and unvaccinated persons, and this variant is more transmissible ("easier to catch") than the other Variants of Concern. Additionally, from Barnstable County Dept. of Human Services: On May 29, 2021 the Statewide masking mandate was lifted. However, businesses whose activities involve staff contact with patrons indoors and/or patrons' close contact with one another (within 6 feet, for >15 minutes) may wish to re-assert masking and physical distancing requirements.
All Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe employees and guests fully vaccinated and non-fully vaccinated must continue to wear masks within the Community and Government Center and on tribal properties effective July 21, 2021. Physical distancing requirements are in effect as well. This temporary advisory may change based on current COVID-19 case levels. Daily temperature screening and screening forms remain in place.
All Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe employees fully vaccinated and non-fully vaccinated are also responsible for resuming the bi-weekly COVID-19 testing regimen. Testing is available at the Mashpee Wampanoag Health Service Unit (IHS) Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1 PM to 3 PM. All appointments must be made prior to 10 AM on Thursdays. Appointments can be made by calling: 508-539-2561
Vaccinations are strongly encouraged for those 12 years of age and older; vaccination appointments can also be made at IHS. An individual is fully vaccinated two weeks after their second dose in a two-dose series, such as the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines, or two weeks after a single-dose vaccine, such as Johnson & Johnson's Janssen vaccine. However, if a fully vaccinated individual becomes symptomatic, they should be tested and wear a mask until receiving test results.
Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe Emergency Management (508) 477-0208 Ext 103
The MWT Resilient Comeback Re-entry Plan will be moving forward to Phase 4 (new normal) on Monday June, 7th 2021. Barnstable County has sustained a positivity rate that has continued to remain under 2.0% for over a 14 day period. The county has also vaccinated over 60% of all eligible residents and more than 75% of MWT employees have been vaccinated.
In an effort to keep our tribal community safe the following protocols are in place for community members and employees, to continue in protecting the health and welfare of everyone.
As a significant percentage of Barnstable County, Massachusetts, MWT Community and Employees have been vaccinated, vaccination cards will not be required to enter the facility at this time.
Masks must be worn by ALL while in the general areas, masks may be removed in an office setting if all parties are fully vaccinated. Physical distancing must still be practiced, in addition to temperature screening, and the 4 question monitoring survey upon entering at this time.
Please call the department you need to meet with for services ahead of time and schedule time for an appointment so that appropriate capacity and staggering levels can be met. During the initial start of Phase 4, the Community and Government Center will ONLY be open for department services and meetings.
The capacity of the Community and Government Center may need to be regulated to support the amount of individuals inside during the onset of Phase 4. Please be patient as we work through the planning efforts to accommodate. Security may ask individuals to wait outside at times and they will be notified when to come in.
Starting June 7th Tribal ID’s will be available on Monday’s and Friday’s so that we can reduce the foot traffic during regular business hours.
Please see attached appendices of the re-entry guidelines and the re-entry notice which both outline some of the various descriptions of services.
The Emergency Management Department looks forward to continuing in providing support to everyone as we move forward into the “New Normal”.
Helpful Resources
Interactive COVID-19 location ARC GIS Mapping link below for Massachusetts.
http://memamaps.maps.arcgis.com/apps/MapSeries/index.html?appid=9ef7ef55e4644af29e9ca07bfe6a509f
Barnstable County Department of Health and Environment for instructions on receiving COVID-19 testing in Barnstable County.
https://www.barnstablecountyhealth.org/newsroom/important-instructions-for-getting-covid-19-testing?fbclid=IwAR37Rq_coijLczbpKTHWakwRe8bhOfhhBAbWadp6Y-BVEb_qj7fldVGtix8
Link for Comcast Affordable Internet for Eligible Households /2 Free Months, COVID-19 Promo:
https://www.internetessentials.com/covid19#gethelp&all_HowdoIgetthepromo
Link for Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) - Coronavirus Information and Preparedness
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
Link for Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) – Massachusetts Coronavirus Information and Preparedness
https://www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-cases-quarantine-and-monitoring#covid-19-cases-in-massachusetts-
Coronavirus Fact Sheet
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/downloads/2019-ncov-factsheet.pdf
Stopping the Spread of Germs
https://www.mass.gov/doc/stop-the-spread-of-germs-respiratory-diseases-like-flu-and-covid-19/download
COVID-19 Prevention Through Social Distancing
https://www.mass.gov/doc/help-prevent-covid-19-with-social-distancing/download
