COVID-19 Policies & Procedures
Updated March 2024
On March 1, 2024, the CDC updated their recommendations on how to
protect yourself and others from respiratory viruses, including COVID-19. The decision to
continue to follow the latest set of CDC recommendations around respiratory virus guidance has
been made with the interest of our staff, volunteers, and partners in mind, effective immediately.
With the adoption of the latest guidance, The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk COVID-19 policy
is rescinded as of Monday, March 18, 2024, and the criteria within will no longer apply to
individuals who test positive with COVID-19 or other respiratory viruses.
What does this mean for me at The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk?
• Proof of COVID-19 vaccination is no longer required for current/newly hired staff, volunteers, or partners.
• The People and Culture Department no longer needs to be notified if there is a positive case of COVID-19. Staff and Volunteers should use the regular call out process when unable to report to work for an assigned shift.
• A five-day quarantine period is no longer necessary with a positive COVID-19 test result. (Please follow the wellness guidance from the CDC of being fever-free for 24 hours without medication and feeling well enough to work. It is important that we remain vigilant about monitoring our own symptoms and only return or report to work when healthy enough to do so.)
• Individuals are no longer required to wear a mask for positive COVID-19 results and/or known exposure. Masks are a personal preference and not mandatory.
They are, however, highly recommended for prevention and limiting the spread. COVID policy update 2 CDC recommended steps and strategies for prevention:
• Staying up to date with vaccination to protect people against serious illness, hospitalization, and death. This includes flu, COVID-19 and RSV if eligible.
• Practicing good hygiene by covering coughs and sneezes, washing or sanitizing hands often, and cleaning frequently touched surfaces.
• Taking steps for cleaner air, such as bringing in more fresh outside air, purifying indoor air, or gathering outdoors When people get sick with a respiratory virus, the updated guidance recommends that they stay home and away from others.
For people with COVID-19 and influenza, treatment is available and can lessen symptoms and lower the risk of severe illness. The recommendations suggest returning to normal activities when, for at least 24 hours, symptoms are improving overall and if a fever was present, it has been absent without use of a fever-reducing medication. Once people resume normal activities, they are encouraged to take additional prevention strategies for the next five days to curb disease spread, such as taking more steps for cleaner air, enhancing hygiene practices, wearing well-fitting masks, keeping distanced from others, and getting tested for respiratory viruses. Enhanced precautions are especially important to protect those most at risk for severe illness, including those over 65 and people with weakened immune systems. CDC's updated guidance reflects how the circumstances around COVID-19 have changed. While it remains a threat today, it is far less likely to cause severe illness because of widespread immunity and improved tools to prevent and treat the disease. Importantly, states and countries that have already adjusted recommended isolation times have not seen increased hospitalizations or deaths related to COVID-19. Please see attached guidance and frequently asked questions from the Center of Disease Control.
If you have any concerns or questions, please feel free to contact Rosemarie Lombardi rlombardi@maritimeaquarium.org or Jodi Trice jtrice@maritimeaquarium.org.
CDC Guidance FAQs https://www.cdc.gov/respiratory-viruses/guidance/faq.html CDC Respiratory Virus Guidance https://www.cdc.gov/respiratory-viruses/guidance/respiratory-virus-guidance.html
What does this mean for me at The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk?
• Proof of COVID-19 vaccination is no longer required for current/newly hired staff, volunteers, or partners.
• The People and Culture Department no longer needs to be notified if there is a positive case of COVID-19. Staff and Volunteers should use the regular call out process when unable to report to work for an assigned shift.
• A five-day quarantine period is no longer necessary with a positive COVID-19 test result. (Please follow the wellness guidance from the CDC of being fever-free for 24 hours without medication and feeling well enough to work. It is important that we remain vigilant about monitoring our own symptoms and only return or report to work when healthy enough to do so.)
• Individuals are no longer required to wear a mask for positive COVID-19 results and/or known exposure. Masks are a personal preference and not mandatory.
They are, however, highly recommended for prevention and limiting the spread. COVID policy update 2 CDC recommended steps and strategies for prevention:
• Staying up to date with vaccination to protect people against serious illness, hospitalization, and death. This includes flu, COVID-19 and RSV if eligible.
• Practicing good hygiene by covering coughs and sneezes, washing or sanitizing hands often, and cleaning frequently touched surfaces.
• Taking steps for cleaner air, such as bringing in more fresh outside air, purifying indoor air, or gathering outdoors When people get sick with a respiratory virus, the updated guidance recommends that they stay home and away from others.
For people with COVID-19 and influenza, treatment is available and can lessen symptoms and lower the risk of severe illness. The recommendations suggest returning to normal activities when, for at least 24 hours, symptoms are improving overall and if a fever was present, it has been absent without use of a fever-reducing medication. Once people resume normal activities, they are encouraged to take additional prevention strategies for the next five days to curb disease spread, such as taking more steps for cleaner air, enhancing hygiene practices, wearing well-fitting masks, keeping distanced from others, and getting tested for respiratory viruses. Enhanced precautions are especially important to protect those most at risk for severe illness, including those over 65 and people with weakened immune systems. CDC's updated guidance reflects how the circumstances around COVID-19 have changed. While it remains a threat today, it is far less likely to cause severe illness because of widespread immunity and improved tools to prevent and treat the disease. Importantly, states and countries that have already adjusted recommended isolation times have not seen increased hospitalizations or deaths related to COVID-19. Please see attached guidance and frequently asked questions from the Center of Disease Control.
If you have any concerns or questions, please feel free to contact Rosemarie Lombardi rlombardi@maritimeaquarium.org or Jodi Trice jtrice@maritimeaquarium.org.
CDC Guidance FAQs https://www.cdc.gov/respiratory-viruses/guidance/faq.html CDC Respiratory Virus Guidance https://www.cdc.gov/respiratory-viruses/guidance/respiratory-virus-guidance.html
