Tennessee Department of Health released new guidelines allowing increased visitation and the reopening of certain activities in long-term care facilities, effective October 1.
Under new guidelines, outdoor and limited indoor visitation may be permitted in facilities that have had no new COVID-19 cases in the previous 14 days.
These visits must be scheduled in advance, last no more than 45 minutes, and limited to two visitors.
Outdoor visits may be conducted in an outdoor space with spaced seating of at least six feet apart.
Indoor visits will be limited to designated common spaces allowing for social distancing and disinfection between visitors.
Visitors will only be allowed in a resident’s room if the resident is unable to leave, the visitor has had a negative PCR test collected within the previous 72 hours, or the visitor has a negative onsite test at the facility.
In facilities that have had no new COVID-19 cases in the previous 28 days, essential caregivers may be allowed for indoor visits. Each resident may have up to five essential caregivers and visits should be scheduled with time restrictions.
The health department’s new guidelines also allow for the resuming of resident activities, communal dining, small group activities, barber visits, etc. in facilities that have had no new COVID-19 cases in the previous 14 days.
Facilities can allow a limited number of people in a dining area, with a maximum of 50 percent capacity, unless that would be under 10 people.
Small group activities can resume with social distancing, face coverings, and proper hand hygiene. A limited number of people will be allowed in common areas at a time, with a maximum of 50 percent capacity and no more than 10 people.
