The Massachusetts Alliance of Portuguese Speakers (MAPS) is planning to open its six offices on June 1, 2020 as part of its phased reopening plan starting on May 18, 2020. The health and social services organization will continue to closely monitor the CDC guidelines and follow the Department of Public Health recommendations on preventive measures to ensure that MAPS can continue to serve the needs of its community and keep its employees safe.
From May 18 to May 31, 2020 – Phase 1 – the organization’s offices will remain closed to the public, allowing staff two weeks of preparation to slowly return to the offices and adjust to the new normal. During this phase, no client walk-ins will be allowed, and MAPS will continue assisting clients via the telephone and social media only.
On June 1, 2020 – Phase 2 –MAPS will re-open its offices and begin seeing clients by appointment only. Clients will need to call in to speak with a staff member or to schedule appointments, and will be screened for COVID-19 symptoms and if they came in contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19 before coming to the office and at time of arrival. The clients’ temperature will be taken on arrival, and during this phase, only one client at a time will be allowed in the reception area. Clients entering the building must wear face masks/face coverings at all times, and MAPS will provide face masks to clients not wearing one.
Starting on June 15, 2020 – Phase 3 –MAPS hopes to resume limited group services and activities, including the MAPS Senior Center, Driver Alcohol Education, and Intimate Partner Abuse Educational Classes, with no more than 20 participants at a time. Seniors will be able to attend the Senior Center for 2 days per week to minimize large gatherings. During this phase, client walk-ins will resume, but only one client at a time will be allowed in the reception area. MAPS will continue screening clients for symptoms and require the use of face masks/ coverings at all times when in the office.
During the re-opening phases and until the time when the Coronavirus is no longer considered a public health crisis, MAPS will continue to enforce several social distancing and prevention practices, including requiring all staff and visitors to wear face masks in the office, encouraging employees to work from home whenever possible, modifying working schedules to minimize the number of employees present in the building at the same time, and limiting the size of all group activities, including work with clients and other staff, to allow for appropriate distancing. Due to the nature of the pandemic, this plan will be constantly reevaluated and updated as needed. To access MAPS’ complete phased reopening plan, please visit maps-inc.org/coronavirus.
MAPS has served the Portuguese-speaking communities of Massachusetts and others since 1970. The agency offers a wide range of free health and social services through its six offices in Cambridge, Somerville, Brighton, Dorchester, Framingham, and Lowell.