Reconnecting to Our Waterways

Guidance for ROW Activities During COVID-19

Approved October 2022

Reconnecting to Our Waterways’ (ROW’s) primarily goal will always be to protect its staff and volunteers. As most organizations have lifted many or all restrictions, ROW has still remained cautious for indoor meetings and activities. Effective October 14, 2022, the following guidance should be followed by ROW staff consultants and volunteers for ROW-attended, ROW-supported and ROW-organized events, workshops, projects and programs.

General Guidance

  • ROW can host, participate in and attend indoor and outdoor gatherings or events on behalf of ROW of any size, but encourages all participants to consider that COVID-19 cases, even at a low level, continue to spread in our community and taking precautions can keep people safe.  
  • Masks are no longer required. However, any participant is free to wear a mask, and if they request that others wear masks, while not mandatory they do so, reasonable caution and common courtesy is encouraged if in close proximity of someone with a compromised immune system.
  •         For the purposes of this policy, “masks” refers to face coverings which are consistent with public health guidelines to help prevent COVID-19 and when worn to cover the mouth and the nose.
  • All staff consultants and volunteers MUST stay home if experiencing any flu like symptoms including fever, cough, shortness of breath OR if a positive COVID-19 test is received. Stay at home until fever free or no longer experiencing symptoms.
  •         Staff consultants and volunteers are asked to notify ROW if you feel that you have contract COVID-19 within 48 hours of an inperson contact at a ROW meeting or event so that a note can be sent to members (without identifying the person reporting it to ROW).
  • ROW staff consultants and volunteers will provide assistance and reminders to others to follow the recommendations set by the collective.
  • All ROW staff consultants and volunteers are expected to comply with the requirements of this policy and of the requirements of local jurisdictions and policies of partner agencies and other businesses while performing their duties for ROW.

Suggestions Ways to Reduce Spread at ROW Meetings and Events:

  • Wipe down any common surfaces prior to meetings with a disinfectant known to kill the coronavirus (e.g. bleach) when reasonably possible (tables, picnic tables, park benches, etc).
  • Use verbal check in for the record to avoid passing around clipboards, paper and pens
  • Provide documents electronically instead of passing out handouts / documents at meetings
  • Shared food or drink could be individually wrapped; ROW always recommends bringing your own water bottles to reduce waste and avoid the negative impacts of bottled water
  • Bring your own tools, wipe them before and after any work event.
  • Handwashing stations / hand sanitizer available for any work events.

*This guidance remains in effect until further notice and will be revised in accordance with guidance from federal, state and local authorities. Local and state mandates that are more stringent will always supersede ROW’s guidance. ROW leadership will evaluate the current status regularly as needed, and make any necessary revisions to the policy based on the latest information.

This guidance is developed using *science-based data from the Indiana State Department of Health and using policies from other ROW partners as a guide.