Indoor Visits to Resume at VT Long-Term Care Facilities

Vermont health officials are updating the state’s long-term care center visitation policies, reports WCAX.

According to Agency of Human Service Secretary Mike Smith, indoor visitation will now be allowed at long-term care facilities with strict rules.

All visitors will be required to be screened for COVID-19 symptoms and risk factors. Also, as of now, there will be no physical contact allowed between residents and visitors, masks will be required, and there will be regular testing of staff members.

According to Smith, only two visitors per resident will be allowed at a time. He states that visits will be scheduled and kept short. Any facilities with active COVID-19 cases, or in counties with a more than 10% COVID positivity rate, will only allow outdoor visit at this time.

Smith reports that Adult Day Centers will also be reopening, but it will be up to the discretion of each individual location to develop a plan that meets state guidelines and to get that plan approved by the state. Some of the more “at risk” visitors may not be allowed to return yet.