Nursing home visits resume in Rhode Island
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE)– Residents can begin visiting family in nursing homes and long-term care facilities starting July 8.
The visits will have a number of restrictions, according to the statement from the Rhode Island Department of Health.
Guidance for visits were laid out in the RIDOH statement as follows:
- Visits will be limited to only those essential to the resident’s physical and emotional well-being and care.
- All visits must be scheduled in advance. Visits will be allowed for 30-minute increments.
- Facilities must actively screen everyone for fever and symptoms of COVID-19 before they enter.
- Facilities must keep a daily log with names and contact information for all visitors.
- Outdoor visits are preferred. If a visit must occur inside the facility, the visit shall be restricted to the resident’s room or other area specifically designated for visits. If a resident’s room is used for visitation, only one visitor per resident at a time is allowed in the resident’s room.
- Regardless of the location of the visit, visitors must maintain a six-foot distance from staff and residents.
- All visitors must wear a cloth face covering.
- All visitors shall perform hand hygiene upon entry to the facility or to the outside visitation area or before entering the resident’s room
Those interested in visiting are encouraged to contact the facility ahead of time, as the rules outlined above are considered guidelines, and each location may have a different set of procedures, RIDOH said.
If someone at a nursing home tests positive for the coronavirus, visitation will be shut down for at least 14 days, until there are no new positive cases.
©WLNE-TV/ABC 6 2020
