Purpose
Open Arms of Minnesota has adopted this vaccination policy to safeguard the health and well-being of all volunteers, interns, clients, staff members and their families, and others who spend time on our premises and the community at large from COVID-19.
Scope
This Policy applies to all individuals who volunteer in the Open Arms buildings, kitchens, or at off-site events sponsored by Open Arms. This also applies to delivery drivers – the volunteer who is responsible for driving and/or handing Open Arms meals to clients.
Policy
Effective February 7th, 2022, all active volunteers are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
Volunteers who are not fully vaccinated are not able to participate in indoor volunteering opportunities or deliver meals to Open Arms clients.
Vaccination
Volunteers will be considered “fully vaccinated” from COVID-19 fourteen (14) calendar days after receiving the final required dose of the vaccine and/or after receiving the COVID-19 booster shot if/when eligible.
Volunteers must present written evidence of immunization from the designated site or from another authorized healthcare provider to establish that they are fully vaccinated.
The following documentation is acceptable as proof of vaccination against COVID-19:
- A copy of the record of immunization from a health care provider or pharmacy.
- A copy of the COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card (CDC Form MLS-319813_r).
- A copy of medical records documenting the vaccination.
- A copy of immunization records from a public health or state immunization information system.
- A copy of any other official documentation verifying vaccination with information on the vaccine name, date(s) of administration, and the name of the health care professional or clinic site administering the vaccine.
Proof of vaccination generally should include the volunteer’s name, the type of vaccine administered, the date(s) of administration, and the name of the health care professional(s) or clinic site(s) that administered the vaccine. In some cases, state of Minnesota immunization records may not include one or more of these data fields, such as clinic site. In those circumstances, Open Arms will still accept the state immunization record as acceptable proof of vaccination.
Once proof of vaccination is visually presented to an Open Arms staff member, the staff members will note it in the volunteer record, and the volunteer will be cleared to volunteer.
Exposure, Testing, and Quarantine
If a volunteer has been in close contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19, he/she/they may not volunteer for 10 days after the last day of close contact with the person who tested positive for COVID-19.
If a volunteer is not feeling well and is experiencing any symptom that has been associated with COVID-19, he/she/they may not volunteer. The volunteer should get tested for COVID-19. If the volunteer tests positive for COVID-19, he/she/they may not volunteer until all of the following conditions are met:
- Complete an isolation period for no less than 10 days
- Symptoms have improved
- Have been fever free for at least 24 hours without the use of medication
If a volunteer tests positive for COVID-19 but is not experiencing any symptoms, he/she/they may not volunteer for 10 days from when the COVID-19 test was performed.
As new information around COVID-19 is released by official agencies, Open Arms will continue to assess current volunteer policies and procedures. Open Arms reserves the right to implement further measures to continue to promote a safe environment for all staff members, volunteers, interns, clients, and other community members who visit the premises.
