Even though the state is opening back up, you may feel cautious about seeking necessary medical help during the COVID-19 pandemic. These feelings are normal. However, delaying these services may negatively impact your health and possibly put you and your partner at risk.
NJFPL provider health centers have put into place safety measures so that you can still access the sexual and reproductive services you need.
Accessing Services Available in a Timely Manner
All our provider agencies’ normal services are available. NJFPL health centers offer easy and timely access to these services because they are so important for your health. Birth control, STI and HIV screenings and pregnancy testing are just a few services that cannot and should not be delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Receiving timely care prevents serious health risks to both you and your partner. You should call your local health center first to ask about rules for visits.
Available services include:
- Annual gynecological visits
- Breast and cervical cancer screenings
- Family planning/sexual and reproductive health services
- STI screenings
- HIV and PrEP services
- Birth control
- Pregnancy testing
Health Center Precautions
All NJFPL provider health centers are following the precautions set by state and federal laws as well as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendations. In addition, our providers are taking the following steps to reduce your risk of infection:
- All health centers are asking patients a few questions about their health and reason for their visit when they schedule an appointment. They are also educating patients about procedures to follow when arriving at their appointment
- Appointments are being scheduled to follow social distancing guidelines in order to avoid contact between multiple patients and staff
- Patients may be asked to wait outside the center or stay in their car until their appointment time
- Patients must come alone for their appointment, if possible, to limit the number of people in the health center
- Patient temperature may be taken when they arrive
- All patients and staff must wear masks
- Gloves and hand sanitizer are available
Ways to Lower Your Risk
The best way to lower your risk of getting COVID-19 is by following the current CDC recommendations and guidelines at all times:
- Don’t go out unless you have to – avoiding exposure to others is the only way to truly protect yourself
- If you do go out, limit trips and only have one household member go
- Wear a mask! (A 3 layer disposable mask or a well-fitting cloth mask offers the most protection to others; a bandana offers the least protection to others)
- Stay six feet away from other people
- If people who do not live with you enter your home, everyone should wear a mask and stay six feet apart
- Wash your hands frequently for at least 20 seconds
- Use hand sanitizer (containing a minimum of 65% alcohol) when soap and water are not available
- Avoid touching your face, especially your eyes, nose and mouth
- Avoid touching surfaces as much as possible
- Clean and disinfect surfaces in your home frequently
Wearing a mask does NOT mean that you should stop social distancing – the closer the proximity to others, the more likely you are to become infected, even with a mask. The more time you spend around other people, the greater your chances of contracting the virus and unknowingly spreading it to people in your home.
Telehealth Services Available
Telehealth services remain in place at some provider agencies for anyone who prefers or requires a virtual health visit or consultation. Not all services are available by telehealth. You should call your local health center first to see if the service you would like is available.
If you need family planning and sexual and reproductive health services, don’t wait. Contact a health center near you today. We have locations conveniently located all over New Jersey.