Visits to Rhode Island nursing homes can resume next week

People will be able to visit their loved ones in Rhode Island nursing homes again starting on Wednesday, the state Department of Health announced Friday.

Long-term care facilities and assisted living facilities will have to “abide by strict infection control measures to keep residents, staff, and family members safe,” the Department of Health said Friday.

Facilities that don’t have their own plans by Wednesday will have to follow the state’s guidelines. They include limiting visitors to only those “essential to the resident’s physical and emotional well-being and care”; scheduling visits well in advance, and in 30-minute increments; screening everyone for fever or any COVID-19 symptoms before entering; and keeping a daily log with names and contact information.

The state said it would prefer outdoor visits, but if it had to occur inside, it has to take place in a resident’s room or other specially designated areas.

Read more: https://www.newportri.com/news/20200703/visits-to-ri-nursing-homes-can-resume-next-week