Easter Visits, No Quarantine For Long-Term Care Residents Now OK

ACROSS MINNESOTA — Minnesota residents living in long-term care facilities and nursing homes will be able to visit with their families this Easter and won't have to quarantine after they return, according to new COVID-19 guidelines released Thursday by the Minnesota Department of Health.

Under the new standards, residents of long-term care facilities, even those who have not yet received their vaccine, can leave for 24 hours or less without quarantining after — as long as they do not have any close contact with anyone with COVID-19, according to the news release from the Minnesota Department of Health.

The change, which was made to reflect the latest guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, takes effect immediately and means residents, in most circumstances, can go home for Easter or Passover celebrations without needing to worry about quarantining if they return to their facility later that day.

The health department also updated its guidance to allow residents who are fully vaccinated to dine and participate in activities closer than 6 feet while still wearing a mask when appropriate.

“This guidance change presents a nice opportunity for faith-based and family outings for this and other upcoming weekends,” said Jan Malcolm, commissioner of health for the Minnesota Department of Health. “However, it is still very important for residents and their companions to follow recommendations such as well-fitting masks, physical distancing and hand washing.”

To help lower risk, MDH recommends wearing a mask that fits well, social distancing, washing hands often and sticking to outdoor visits when possible.

Highlights of the MDH guidance change for assisted living-type facilities and nursing homes include:

• People transporting residents should also be educated about and follow mask wearing, social distancing and hand washing recommendations.
• Residents who have close contact (within 6 feet for 15 minutes or more) with someone with COVID-19 should quarantine upon their return, whether the resident is vaccinated or not.
• Residents gone more than 24 hours are looked at as a new admission or readmission to the facility and may have to quarantine, based on CDC guidance.

More information on the new guidance can be found on the Minnesota Department of Health website.

In other guidance news, MDH also made updates March 30 to guidance for assisted living-type facilities that allows residents who are fully vaccinated to dine and participate in activities closer than 6 feet while still wearing masks as appropriate. (See COVID-19 Guidance for Dining and Activities in Assisted Living Settings (PDF).)