Just as Christwood is committed to following the CDC’s guidelines and recommendations regarding our residents and the COVID-19 virus, such as practicing social distancing by at least six feet, washing our hands often, not touching our face, eyes and mouth, etc. we would like to prepare our staff to do the same while on campus and also at home to help protect you and your family.
As you know, as caregivers, all essential personnel must report to work, which means entering and exiting the campus regularly. Although we are sure you are more than diligent while on campus, we would like to make sure you are doing the same while at home.
In that continuing effort, we will continue to share information on how to protect yourself, our residents, your coworkers and your family. Below is information regarding Governor Edwards statewide stay at home order. That is why it is critical that employees and their family members follow this order from the Governor to protect them and their family as well as Christwood residents and coworkers. As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please address them with your immediate supervisor.
Gov. Edwards Issues Statewide Stay at Home Order
To further combat the spread of COVID-19 in Louisiana, Gov. Edwards issued a Stay at Home Order on March 22, directing all Louisiana residents to shelter at home and limit movements outside of their homes beyond essential needs. Stay at home order is effective March 23 at 5:00 pm.
Click here for the governor’s official order.
YOU CAN
- Go to the grocery, convenience or warehouse store
- Go to the pharmacy to pick up medications and other healthcare necessities
- Go to medical appointments (check with your doctor or provider first)
- Go to a restaurant for take-out, delivery or drive-thru
- Care for or support a friend or family member
- Take a walk, ride your bike, hike, jog and be in nature for exercise — just keep at least six feet between you and others.
- Walk your pets and take them to the veterinarian if necessary
- Help someone to get necessary supplies
- Receive deliveries from any business which delivers
YOU SHOULD NOT
- Visit friends and family if there is no urgent need
- Maintain less than 6 feet of distance from others when you go out
- Visit loved ones in the hospital, nursing home, skilled nursing facility or other residential care facility, except for limited exceptions as provided on the facility websites.
For businesses, the new Stay at Home order has limits on the following:
- All places of public amusement, whether indoors or outdoors, including but not limited to, locations with amusement rides, carnivals, amusement parks, water parks, trampoline parks, aquariums, zoos, museums, arcades, fairs, pool halls, children’s play centers, playgrounds, theme parks, any theaters, concert and music halls, adult entertainment venues, racetracks, and other similar businesses.
- All personal care and grooming businesses, including but not limited to, barber shops, beauty salons, nail salons, spas, massage parlors, tattoo parlors, and other similar businesses.
- All malls, except for stores in a mall that have a direct outdoor entrance and exit that provide essential services and products as provided by the Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) guidelines.
- Businesses closed to the public as listed in the order can conduct necessary activities such as payroll, cleaning services, maintenance or upkeep as necessary.
- Any business not covered by the guidance from the CISA discussed in Section 3 of the order and not ordered to temporarily close must reduce operations to continue with minimum contact with members of the public and essential employees, while requiring proper social distancing, adhering to the 10-person limitation on gathering size.
- Early learning centers and child care facilities adhering to the guidance issued by the Louisiana Department of Education and Office of Public Health may continue to operate.
Examples of Essential Worker Functions under the Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) guidelines include:
- Healthcare workers and caregivers
- Mental health and Social Service workers
- Pharmacy employees
- Workers supporting groceries, pharmacies and other retail sales of food and beverage products
- Restaurant carryout and quick-serve food operations and food delivery employees
- Farmworkers
- Electricity and Utility Industry Employees
- Critical Manufacturing Employees (medical supply chains, energy, transportation, food, chemicals)
- Petroleum, Natural and Propane Gas Workers
- Transportation and Logistics Workers
- Communications and Information Technology Employees
What is the difference between “Safer at Home” and “social distancing”?
Safer at home is a stricter form of social distancing. Safer at home means:
- Stay home (stay unexposed and do not expose others)
- Only go out for essential services
- Stay six feet or more away from others
- Don’t gather in groups
What if I need to visit a health care provider?
Do not go to the emergency room unless you have an actual emergency.
If you feel sick, please first call your doctor, a nurse hotline or an urgent care center.
Can I use ride share, on-demand service or a taxi?
Only for essential travel. You should avoid being in a vehicle with many other people. In circumstances under which such transportation is needed, you must practice social distancing, cover your mouth and nose if you cough or sneeze, use hand sanitizer or wash your hands before and after rides. Airlines, taxis and other private transportation providers, like Uber and Lyft, providing transportation services necessary for essential activities and other purposes are expressly authorized in the Safer at Home Executive Order.
Should I stock up on food, necessities like toilet paper and medicines?
No. You will continue to be able to purchase these items whenever you need them, as stores selling necessary items like grocery stores, pharmacies and hardware stores will remain open and are frequently restocking.
Please continue to buy normal quantities of these items on the same schedule you normally do. This will ensure that there is enough for everyone.
Can grocery stores and other food retailers remain open?
Yes. Grocery stores, water retailers, produce stands, supermarkets, food banks, convenience stores, and similar food retail establishments are encouraged to remain open to provide food and pet supplies to the public. When visiting these establishments, please help retailers maintain at least six feet minimum distance between patrons, including by providing ample space while shopping and waiting in line.
To get updated number of cases, provider info and resources use the link below.
http://ldh.la.gov/Coronavirus/