Office Procedures during COVID-19 Emergency

♦ The office is operating, but is closed to the public

♦ No one shall enter who has within the last 14 days any of the following:

◊ had a fever, dry cough, shortness of breath, or other flu-like symptoms
◊ travelled to a high-risk area for transmission of COVID-19, such as New York City or the counties of Westchester, Nassau, Suffolk (NY); Bergen or Essex (NJ) or Fairfield (CT)
◊ had contact with a person who has or is suspected to have COVID-19
◊ or who currently has an unresolved case or suspected case of COVID-19 (resolved is either 14 days since last symptom, or 2 negative tests at least 24 hours apart following a prior positive COVID-19 test or diagnosis)

♦ Visitors are encouraged to conduct business over the phone (607) 873-7346, by text (607) 731-0328, online www.MyOwnHomeST.org, or by dropping items through the mail slot of the door to the visitor vestibule on Hoffman St.

♦ For necessary in person visits, use the side door on Hoffman St. to access the visitor vestibule; someone will unlock the door when you arrive for your appointment.

◊ We suggest people with risk factors established by the CDC do not visit in person.  These risk factors include people who:

– are age 65 or above or live in a nursing home or long-term care facility
– have chronic lung disease or have moderate to severe asthma
– have serious heart conditions
– have one of many immunocompromised conditions
– have diabetes or a BMI of over 40
– have chronic kidney disease treated by dialysis
– have liver disease

◊ We are taking precautions to reduce risk, and people who choose to visit our office do so at their own risk

◊ Wait for the office person to leave the visitor vestibule before entering

◊ Visitors must remain in the visitor vestibule.  Only members of a single household may be in the visitor vestibule at any one time.  Office person will log visitors in case tracing is required in the future.

◊ The visitor vestibule will be treated with an alcohol-based sanitizer between visits.  Treated surfaces include door handles/locks, table, and pass-through ledge and pens.  Soft surfaces (including carpet and upholstery), walls and etc are not treated.  In addition, the door handles/locks will be sanitized at the end of each day the office is staffed, even if no visitors have been present.

◊ Visitors should have face coverings available to abide by New York State directives.

◊ Office personnel have face coverings available and will wear them when closer than 6 feet to the visitor vestibule when the visitor vestibule is occupied (as a guide, this 6 foot distance is marked by tape on the floor).

◊ Office personnel will sanitize their hands immediately before placing anything on the pass-through ledge (including receipts, keys, etc).