COVID-19 Update

January 13, 2022 Update

Due to the current surge of COVID cases in our community, we will begin implementing some safety precautions to keep our members, volunteers, and staff healthy and safe.  These changes are temporary to get through this rise in community transmission.  Experts believe this current surge of COVID cases will peak in the next couple of weeks. During this time, we will do everything we can to help prevent the spread of this highly contagious variant.

Temporary changes beginning January 13:

• No Food/drink: VINE will temporarily prohibit food and drink at the VINE Adult Community Center, except for water bottles.
• Social/education program capacity: All social and educational programs will have set capacity limits to allow for social distancing. Registration is strongly encouraged.
• Pre-registration for group exercise: To adequately space out and limit capacity in group exercise classes, members will be required to pre-register for exercise classes.

Masking Policy

We recommend all who visit the VINE Adult Community Center upgrade their masks to N95, KN95 or KF94 masks.  Researchers are highly encouraging the use of these masks as the best defense against transmission. Surgical masks are better than cloth masks but should be worn with a mask brace/fitter or with a cloth mask over it to close the gaps. Cloth masks alone are not found to be as effective in preventing transmission of the Omicron variant.

When Blue Earth County is in “Substantial” or “High” levels of case transmission, VINE will enact the following, regardless of vaccination status:

1. All staff and volunteers will be required to wear masks when working indoors or in vehicles.
2. VINE Adult Community Center members and guests will be required to wear masks indoors and when traveling in vehicles as part of a sanctioned VINE activity (i.e., Community Education bus trips, Door2Door transportation).
3. VINE Adult Community Center tenants and their guests will be required to wear masks in common areas of the building.
4. VINE Home Thrift Store patrons will be highly encouraged to wear masks when shopping indoors.

Exceptions include:

• Staff, volunteers, members, and guests using the pool or showers
• Staff, volunteers, members, and guests drinking or eating
• Staff and volunteers working alone or in an individual office or vehicle
• Volunteers from the same household in a vehicle together

When transmission rates in Blue Earth County subside to “Moderate” or “Low,” VINE will stop enacting the policy above. It may be re-enacted if transmission rate levels rise.

Click here to view the current COVID transmission rate for our county>

As always, your health and safety are our top priority.  If you have any questions or concerns, we invite you to reach out to our leadership team.

Thank you for your patience and ongoing support.