Michigan Health Officials To Allow Indoor Nursing Home Visits

For the first time since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, some Michigan residents will be able to visit loved ones indoors at nursing homes.

But it will depend on how severe coronavirus rates are in the county, among other guidelines.

Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Director Robert Gordon issued an order on Wednesday (October 21) that broadens requirements of residential care facilities. That includes setting circumstances that allow indoor visits.

Previously, Michigan residents could visit loved ones outside, and the state also allowed visits for patients who were terminally ill, Local4 noted.

Risk level should be ranked A through D to allow indoor visits, and the nursing home shouldn’t have any new cases within the past 14 days among residents or staff.

Fox2 reported that there will also be limits to community dining areas and group activities. The station also added that statewide, outdoor visitation is still allowed at facilities that can shelter people from weather and provide enough space to maintain a social distance. Visitors — who exhibit no symptoms, make an appointment ahead of time and test for a fever — should plan to wear masks and maintain other COVID-19 precautions when visiting indoors.

“This is a delicate balance of trying to prevent the further spread of the virus while still allowing for family members and friends to visit their loved ones in residential care facilities,” Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, MDHHS chief medical executive and chief deputy for health, said. “I remain concerned about the increase in case levels across the state, so it will be vitally important that the order be followed closely in order to keep the facilities safe and prevent the spread of the virus.”

Check the MI Safe Start Map for county-by-county risk levels across the state.

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