FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH IN SEMINOLE COUNTY ENCOURAGES SAFE SUMMER ACTIVITIES DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC

Contact:
Mirna Chamorro
Mirna.chamorro@flhealth.gov
(407) 665-3374

Sanford, Fla. — This summer brings about much needed opportunities for families and friends to share time together and for youth to participate in summer camps or summer programs.

Parents and summer program coordinators play an important role in ensuring summer activities remain healthy and safe for families, staff and youth during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued recommendations to help summer camps and families plan for summer activities. Some of these strategies include:

• Promoting vaccination opportunities among those 5 years and
• Ensuring sick youth or staff do not attend summer programs, isolate at home and seek medical care.
• Optimizing ventilation and improving indoor air quality to reduce the risk of airborne spread of viruses and other contaminants.
• Promoting frequent hand washing and having hand sanitizer available (containing at least 60% alcohol) if washing hands is not possible.
• Encouraging staff and youth to cover their cough and sneezes with a tissue or their
• Increasing cleaning and disinfection practices in the summer program or camp facilities and premises.
• Requesting campers and staff wear a mask at a high COVID-19 Community Level and support anyone who chooses to wear a mask at low or medium COVID-19 Community
• Cohorting groups of youth and/or keeping youth in small groups and maintaining social distancing especially for younger than 2 years old or youth with disabilities who cannot safely wear a mask.

CDC recommendations are consistent across youth-focused settings. Summer program coordinators in Seminole County are encouraged to call the Florida Department of Health in Seminole County with questions or to report illness at 407-665-3000 option #1.

For more information about COVID-19 guidance for summer camps, parents and summer

program coordinators may visit the CDC’s COVID-19 Overnight Camp and K-12/Childcare websites.

About the Florida Department of Health

The department, nationally accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board, works to protect, promote and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts.

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