Visitation Guidance for DDS Residential Programs
Updated August 9, 2021

The purpose of this document is to provide visitation guidance for Department of Developmental
Services (DDS) Residential Programs. This guidance replaces and supersedes all previous visitation
guidance issued by DDS.

• Visitors should be screened before entering the home. Any visitors with symptoms of
COVID-19 infection, a diagnosis of COVID-19 in the past 10 days, or close contact with someone with
a COVID-19 infection in the prior 14 days (regardless of the visitor’s vaccination status) will not
be permitted to enter.

• While visitor vaccination can help prevent the spread of COVID-19, visitors should
not be required to be tested or vaccinated (or show proof of such) as a condition of visitation.

• Settings should keep a daily log of names and contact information for all visitors.

• Appropriate safety, care, and infection control measures and policies should be in
place for all visits.

• Visitation will be restricted if the resident has had a diagnosis of COVID-19 in the
past 10 days or is presumed positive. Visitation will also be restricted if there is a COVID-19
outbreak at the setting.

• Programs should communicate visitation guidelines to families and/or guardians and
should continue to augment in-person visitation by supporting attempts by families and guardians to
visit remotely using technology, including phone and video calls.

• Visitors must wear masks at all times indoors. Fully vaccinated visitors may remove masks outdoors.o Fully vaccinated people are defined as 14 days or more after their final dose. In a 2-dose
series, like the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines, the person is fully vaccinated 14 days or more after
their second dose. After a single-dose vaccine, like Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen vaccine, the
person is fully vaccinated 14 days or more after the single dose.

• Residents who are fully vaccinated may visit with loved ones who are fully
vaccinated without maintaining social distancing, if they choose.

• Guidance may be subject to change as required by the Massachusetts Department of
Public Health or local boards of health.