Covid Protocols
Please review the following policies and protocols carefully. Due to the constantly evolving science and recommendations, updated protocols may be communicated prior to the retreat.
Review CDC recommendations to understand what it means to be “up to date” on your Covid-19 vaccines.
Beginning November 1, 2022:
- All individuals, families and programmatic staff ages 6 months and up attending or working at a Ramah Darom program must be up to date on Covid-19 vaccinations as recommended by the CDC. Note: This includes the booster where indicated in the CDC guidelines for anyone 5 and up.
- You will be asked to upload a copy of each attendee’s Covid vaccination card in advance of the program you are attending.
- We also require all attendees to be up to date on all other immunizations as detailed in Ramah Darom’s Vaccination Policy.
- There are exceptions to the Ramah Darom vaccination policy, but they are extremely rare. Requests for medical exemptions will be reviewed by our Medical Committee. See the Ramah Darom Vaccination Policy for details about the process to request an exemption. Note that Ramah Darom does not provide religious exemptions to our vaccination policy.
Prior to November 1, 2022:
- All Ramah Darom retreat attendees, program staff and visitors ages 5 and up must be up to date on Covid-19 vaccinations as recommended by the CDC. Note: This includes the booster where indicated in the CDC guidelines.
- Per CDC recommendations, all Ramah Darom program attendees ages 6 months to 4 years are highly encouraged to be vaccinated against COVID-19.
- You will be asked to upload a copy of each attendee’s Covid vaccination card in advance of the program you are attending.
- We also require all attendees to be up to date on all other immunizations as detailed in Ramah Darom’s Vaccination Policy.
- There are exceptions to the Ramah Darom Vaccination Policy, but they are extremely rare. Requests for medical exemptions will be reviewed by our Medical Committee, See the Ramah Darom Vaccination Policy for details about the process to request an exemption. Note that Ramah Darom does not provide religious exemptions to our vaccination policy.
Covid Testing
Participants (of all ages) must:
- Get a pre-arrival PCR test (in the 72 hours before arrival at Ramah Darom)* and
- Take an at-home rapid Covid test on arrival day.
You will be asked to show proof of your negative PCR and rapid test results when you arrive on campus (a picture on your phone is perfect).
* If you had Covid in the 60 days prior to arrival day of the retreat you are attending, you are not required to get a PCR test. Instead, please email documentation of your previous Covid infection in advance to rguttman@ramahdarom.org. Remember, you must still rapid test on the morning of arrival.
If you receive a positive Covid test result in the days leading up to your arrival at Ramah Darom and are unable to attend a program, we unfortunately are not able refund your registration fees. We highly recommend purchasing Trip Protection Insurance.
Monitoring & Post-Event
- A medical professional will be onsite during every Ramah Darom retreat and rapid tests will be available for anyone experiencing Covid-like symptoms.
- If a guest leaves a retreat because they are experiencing symptoms of Covid-19, we request they get a PCR test and inform Ramah Darom of the results.
General Requirements of Attendees & Staff
Everyone (including those who have recently recovered from Covid-19) must adhere to all prevention protocols below, with no exceptions.
Handwashing & Sanitizing
- Washing hands with soap and water for a minimum of 20 seconds is required before meals and after using the restroom. It is also recommended as often as possible throughout the day.
- Hand sanitizer and disinfectant will be stationed at locations around campus.
Face Masks
- Masks are recommended, but not required, for participants ages 3 and up when inside any public building on campus.
Housing
- Cabins, hotel rooms and cottages will be fully prepared prior to guest arrival. Extra linens, towels and toiletries will be available upon request. There will be no housekeeping services offered during retreats.
- All residential buildings will have commercial-size trash depositories for trash removal from waste bins in your housing space.
- Please complete the online maintenance request form while on campus if you require room maintenance or have additional housekeeping needs.
Food Service & Dining
- Upon entry to the dining hall, all guests must wash their hands with soap and water for 20 seconds before entering the buffet line or going to their tables.
- All guests and staff are encouraged to mask in the dining hall whenever they are not sitting at their table. This includes getting up to chat with another table, going to the bathroom and going through the buffet line.
- We have an outdoor dining tent available for those who are more comfortable eating outdoors.
Covid Protocols FAQ
YES. Everyone (all ages) must take a pre-event-PCR (in the 72 hours prior to arrival at a retreat)*. You will show the negative results of your PCR when you arrive on campus.
In addition, everyone (all ages) must take an at-home rapid test on arrival day. You will be asked to show proof of your negative rapid test when you arrive on campus (a picture on your phone is perfect).
* If you had Covid in the 60 days prior to arrival day of the retreat you are attending, you are not required to get a PCR test. Instead, please email documentation of your previous Covid infection in advance to rguttman@ramahdarom.org. Remember, you must still rapid test on the morning of arrival.
If you had Covid in the 60 days prior to arrival day of the retreat you are attending, you are not required to get a PCR test. Instead, please email documentation of your previous Covid infection to rguttman@ramahdarom.org.
However, everyone (including those who have had Covid in the last 60 days) must take an at-home rapid test on the day of arrival. You will be asked to show proof of your negative rapid test when you arrive on campus (a picture on your phone is perfect).
A medical professional will be onsite during every Ramah Darom retreat and rapid tests will be available for self-testing.
Masks are recommended but not required for all participants ages 3 and up when inside any public building on campus.
If a guest leaves a retreat because they are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, we request they get a PCR test and inform Ramah Darom of the results.