Michigan To Allow Some Indoor Nursing Home Visits

MICHIGAN — The state is allowing for indoor visits in residential care facilities under some circumstances, health officials announced Wednesday.

Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Director Robert Gordon issued an emergency order updating and further expanding requirements for residential care facilities, while also permitting indoor visitation in residential care facilities in certain circumstances.

“As we grapple with both colder weather and rising cases, our task is to increase access to visitation in ways that do not increase the spread of the virus,” Gordon said. “Visitation is a substantial source of risk. This order provides a plan for visitation that mitigates risk and continues necessary protections in facilities across the state.”

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The residential care order continues to limit communal dining and internal and external group activities consistent with Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services guidance and it requires quick notification in the event an employee or resident is confirmed as positive for COVID-19, according to a news release.

Under the order, visitation rules are linked to the risk level of the county. A list of county risk levels is available on the MI Safe Start Map.

Indoor visitation is now allowed in areas where the current risk level is A, B, C, or D, so long as the facilities have had no new cases, including those involving residents or staff, originating within the prior 14 days, the state said in a news release. Indoor visitation is not allowed when the county is at risk level E, which means there is an elevated incidence growth rate with average daily cases/million greater than 150 or a positivity rate greater than 20 percent.

It is also not allowed if the local health department has made a determination that it would be unsafe. Outdoor visitation is allowed throughout the state so long as the facility assures that the outdoor visitation area allows for at least six feet between all persons and adequate protection from weather elements is provided.

Based on county risk levels and the type of visit, some visitors will be required to receive COVID testing prior to entry, the state said. Most nursing homes now are able to conduct point-of-care testing with a rapid turnaround.

Visitors will be required to wear facemasks at all times and, in general, visitors will need to maintain six feet from residents, according to a news release.

“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,” said Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, chief medical executive and chief deputy for health at MDHHS. “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.”

Visits will be allowed by appointment only and facilities may impose reasonable time limits on visits, the state said.

The number of visitors per scheduled visit will be limited to two or fewer people and will exclude visitors who are unwilling or unable to wear a face covering.

Health officials said violation of this order is punishable by a civil fine of up to $1,000, and may also be treated as a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for not more than six months, or a fine of not more than $200, or both.

The order is effective Monday and remains in effect until lifted, the state said.