VOLUNTEER SAFETY

Safety is our top priority during the COVID-19 community response.  We are monitoring CDC, North Carolina, and Buncombe County government guidelines; however, visit their sites with the links provided for the most up-to-date information.  

Please DO NOT Volunteer In-Person If Any of the Following Apply to You: 

  • If you currently are sick, feeling unwell, or experiencing any of the following symptoms, please stay home and seek necessary medical guidance. 
    • Fever
    • Cough
    • Shortness of breath
    • Chills
    • Repeated shaking with chills
    • Muscle pain
    • Headache 
    • Sore throat
    • New loss of smell or taste
  • If someone in your household has tested positive for or has shown symptoms of COVID-19 in the past several weeks, even if they are no longer symptomatic, please stay home for the recommended duration of 14 days after symptoms subside. 
  • If you have been in contact with anyone outside your home who has tested positive for COVID-19, please stay home for the recommended duration of 14 days. 
  • If you are currently in the high-risk category for COVID-19, please consider your safety before choosing to volunteer. The CDC highest risk category includes:
    • Older adults
    • Persons with a serious underlying medical condition
    • Persons who are pregnant or recently pregnant 
  • If you or anyone in your household have traveled to highly impacted areas of the United States in recent weeks, please stay home for the recommended duration of 7-10 days. 

If NONE of the conditions above apply to you and you are comfortable volunteering, please sign-up for a volunteer project.

BEFORE ARRIVING: 

  • CALL ahead to the service agency and ask if any additional safety precautions should be taken before, during and after the shift.
  • ALLOW extra time for additional screening from organizations (if required) to make sure you are cleared to volunteer for the task.
  • REALIZE  that shifts or opportunities may be canceled; especially volunteer opportunities working with vulnerable populations. Please be gracious and understanding.

ONCE ONSITE:

  • DO NOT shake hands or have physical contact with anyone while participating in the volunteer project. 
  • DO clean any used spaces thoroughly before and after, including tabletop surfaces and doorknobs/handles.
  • DO use proper Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) if needed for the task.
  • DO cover your mouth and nose with a face covering at all times. 
  • DO maintain 6-10 foot physical separation from others while conducting the task.
  • ASK about any risk that may be associated with the task and DO NOT take part if you are uncomfortable with the level of risk.
  • DO avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with your hands. 
  • DO NOT share headsets or other objects that are near the nose and mouth.
  • If showing signs of illness, please be understanding if volunteer project managers ask you to leave.  

If you must stay home for the safety of our community, we may have remote/digital volunteer opportunities soon that you may sign-up for.  Please check this page for the latest opportunities. 

We continue to be in awe of the community response to COVID-19.  Whether you're staying home and abiding by social distancing guidelines or volunteering while following safety guidelines, thank you for your service.