New visitation guidance has been provided to the facility. A significant differentiation for visits by vaccinated versus unvaccinated visitors has been provided. In order to be identified as a vaccinated visitor, the facility must maintain record of the vaccination. CMS guidance requires all visitors to wear a face covering during their visit in the facility. All entry into the facility will remain at current locations to enable screening of visitors.
- Require unvaccinated visitors to schedule an appointment for the visit to ensure the facility can safely accommodate the number of people and have enough staff to monitor compliance with required infection prevention activities. (Vaccinated visitors do not need to schedule an appointment and may visit between 8-5 daily).
- Appropriately schedule visits for unvaccinated visitors, so that staff have sufficient time to ensure rooms and/or surfaces can be properly cleaned and disinfected according to manufacturer’s instructions between each visit. We will maintain our current practices scheduling and conducting the scheduled visits.
- Require unvaccinated visitors to remain in their cars or outside the building until their scheduled visit time.
- Require unvaccinated visitors to wear a well-fitting mask which covers their nose and mouth during the entirety of the visit.
- Deny entry to visitors, regardless of vaccination status, who do not pass screening or who refuse to comply with any of the indoor visitation requirements set forth in this guidance.
- Cease visitation for visitors and residents, regardless of vaccination status, who do not adhere to the core principles of COVID-19 infection prevention during the visit.
- All visitors must be screened for COVID-19 symptoms, regardless of vaccination status, and facilities should limit visitor movement in the facility by following these procedures:
- Greet visitors at a designated area at the entrance of the facility where a staff member must:
- Perform temperature check and symptom screening.
- Document the visitor’s contact information and the results of the screening.
- Deny entry to visitors who have a positive test or display symptoms during the screening.
- Have the visitor clean their hands with alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- Escort the unvaccinated visitor to the designated visitation area.
- Indoor visitation for unvaccinated residents and visitors should occur in dedicated visitation spaces that allow for appropriate physical distancing if required and increased ventilation (open windows, etc.), and cleaning and disinfection between visitors.
- Greet visitors at a designated area at the entrance of the facility where a staff member must:
- Visits should be held outdoors whenever possible. If a resident resides in a single-person room, visitation can occur in their room. Visits for residents who share a room should not be conducted in the resident’s room, if possible. For situations where there is a roommate and the health status of the resident prevents leaving the room, enable the in-room visitation while adhering to the core principles of COVID-19 infection prevention (social distancing, hand hygiene, face masks, and increased environmental cleaning).
- With pre-notice and facility permission, pets may accompany a visitor for a visit with a single resident. Pets can aid in the transmission of COVID-19 and therefore the pet must be kept away from other staff and residents during the visit (inside or outside). The facility should have policies and procedures regarding the safety and parameters for pet visitation, including criteria for vaccinations and infection control.
- Remind visitors that they should refrain from visiting for at least 14 days if they have been in close contact with anyone who has tested positive for or has symptoms consistent with COVID-19. Visitors should alert the facility if they develop fever or other symptoms consistent with COVID-19, or if they are diagnosed with COVID-19 in the 14 days following visitation.
