As we approach the end of the year, teams across the network may be considering planning holiday events. While it’s important to celebrate the hope and joy that the holidays bring, there are details to keep in mind to ensure everyone remains safe and healthy this season.
Currently, all network meetings and events are subject to the following criteria.
Please note, all of these standards must be met for the meeting and/or event to proceed:
- Masks must be worn in all of our facilities. Masks may only be removed if a person is actively eating or drinking, or if someone is alone in an enclosed office.
- Social distancing must be maintained, with at least 6 feet between people.
- Limit capacity to no more than 50% of a space’s official maximum occupancy. For example, if a room can normally fit 200 people, no more than 100 people should be in the room in the current environment.
Click here for a visual guideline of the criteria above and here for break room signage.
With these guidelines in mind, we have canceled, postponed, or adjusted the format of many of our normal fall events. For example, our annual mission conference has been postponed until next year. Some events—such as Evening with the Stars—have moved to a virtual format. As we enter the holiday season, we have made the difficult decision to adjust our normal celebrations, including medical staff dinners, employee open houses, and our participations in community events.
Over the next couple of weeks, your leaders will be working to create a plan that allows us to safely celebrate the holiday season throughout the network. As each of you work through similar plans at the department level, please keep the following things in mind:
- Consider if food is necessary. Sharing food—and having masks removed while eating and drinking—can increase the risk of spreading COVID-19. Avoiding having food at the gathering can help protect the safety and well-being of attendees.
- Consider the kind of celebration. Even if the above guidelines for events can be met, please consider additional factors: such as congested areas when entering/exiting a room and whether attendees will be waiting in long lines. If many people will be in close proximity, it may not be appropriate to host an in-person gathering.
Thank you for your continued patience, courage, and resolve as we stand together against this pandemic in service to our community. We look forward to resuming our normal holiday celebrations in 2022.