Florida Facial Covering Policy

81 Oaks encourages all residents, visitors and team members to follow the policies for facial coverings. However, state regulations allow residents, visitors and team members to opt-out of wearing facial coverings. Residents are permitted to opt-out of wearing a facial covering as per the Department of Health Regulation F.S. 381.026, The Patient Bill of Rights which includes consideration for:

1. the resident’s right to make decision in an informed manner,
2. the resident’s right to have their individual dignity respected, and their responsibility to respect the reasonable and responsible expectations of the provider or facility.
3. The resident’s right to file a complaint with the appropriate agencies.

81 Oaks community posts a complaints poster in the common area and is included in the admission package.

81 Oaks community offers alternatives to facial coverings may include social distancing, outdoor visitation, transparent physical barriers, or other alternative types of facial covering.

81 Oaks allows team members to opt-out of wearing a facial covering unless they are:

1. conducting sterile procedures,
2. working in a sterile area,
3. working with a resident who has been determined to have a compromised immune system increasing their risk of infection or whose practitioner has determined a mask is necessary for the resident’s safety, (4) with a resident on droplet or airborne isolation, or
4. engaging in non-clinical potentially hazardous activities that require facial coverings to prevent physical injury or harm in accordance with industry standards.