BOSTON — The Massachusetts National Guard is being called on once again to help with COVID-related missions in the state.
Governor Charlie Baker has issued orders to activate up to 450 members of the Guard to support COVID-19 testing in K-12 schools and up to 250 Guard members to “offset potential staffing shortages at the Department of Correction.”
Those staffing challenges in state prisons come as “DOC continues preparations for the possibility of a reduction in DOC staffing levels due to non-compliance with Executive Order 595, which requires all Executive Department employees to demonstrate proof of vaccination against COVID-19 by October 17,” according to a statement from the governor’s office.
“As we continue to navigate an unprecedented public health crisis, well-being and safety remain our priority, and we appreciate the large number of staff who have submitted their vaccination attestation forms ahead of the deadline,” said DOC Commissioner Carol Mici. “We are grateful for the Guard’s assistance in supporting the DOC’s mission as we continue to encourage our staff to comply with the vaccination mandate.”
The state says Guard personnel will begin training to assist the DOC with transportation and “exterior security functions.”
“Guard personnel will assume external functions which do not involve direct contact with inmates,” according to the statement from the governor’s office.
The governor’s office say the state is also prepared to staff DOC facilities with retired correction officers in addition to the Guard.
National Guard Troops have already been activated to drive school vans, due to a shortage of drivers affecting states across the country.
[ More Mass. National Guard troops being mobilized to drive local school buses ]
As for the mission in schools, the governor’s office, more than 2,200 schools have signed up to participate in at least one of three types of testing: test and stay, symptomatic testing, and pooled testing.
The state says that since the beginning of the school year, “results from pooled testing show pool positivity rates of less than 1 percent, and test and stay, which is used to test close contacts, has saved approximately 25,000 school days for students who would have otherwise had to quarantine.”
The 200 members of the Guard will be activated to expand testing support at schools.
The Guard members will begin training this week and begin administering COVID-19 testing in selected schools on Monday, October 18.
“We are grateful that the National Guard has stepped up once again, as they have throughout the COVID-19 response, to serve the Commonwealth where needed,” said Governor Baker. “Today’s activations will ensure that we have additional staffing support for our school testing programs to help kids stay safe and will allow DOC to respond to possible staffing shortages. While we are overall pleased with the progress we are seeing with Commonwealth employees submitting vaccination attestations, we will take whatever steps are necessary to safely run all correctional facilities.”
This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.
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