Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott today announced several measures to gradually ease restrictions on Vermonters in long-term care facilities, hospitals and those over the age of 65.
In collaboration with the Vermont Department of Health (VDH) and the Department of Disabilities, Aging and Independent Living (DAIL), Vermont will begin a phased reopening of Long-Term Care Facilities. Starting June 19, Long-Term Care Residential facilities can allow for up to two (2) visitors per resident, per day.
The visits must be conducted outside only and adhere to guidance issued by DAIL around social distancing, temperature checks, facial coverings and record keeping of all visitors.
Residents still cannot dine or meetup inside, but will have some ability to gather with a small number of other residents outside.
Human Services Secretary Mike Smith explains the new health care guidelines at Governor Scott's press briefing Wednesday. Video screen grab. See ORCA Media video below.
As for the necessity of keeping loved ones apart for the sake of everyone's health, he said, "We know how difficult this has been."
He reiterated that while there have 55 deaths in Vermont from COVID-19 and 28 of those have been at nursing homes, the restrictions imposed on long-term care facilities and on many parts of the economy "have saved many lives."
There are 204 long-term care facilities across the state with some 3,000-4,000 residents. There were two outbreaks at such sites in Burlington early on in the pandemic which accounted for most of the nursing home deaths in the state.
The Administration also announced an updated visitation policy for hospitals that provides clearer guidance to health professionals, patients, and their families.
The changes announced in the guidance will serve as a baseline requirement for all hospitals. Individual hospitals will develop visitation policies specific to the needs of their facilities and availability of supplies. Hospitals can choose to have in place more restrictive visitation policies.
“Vermonters in hospitals and long-term care residential facilities and their loved ones have experienced some of the toughest aspects of this pandemic due to the necessary restrictions we put in place to slow the spread of the virus and protect the vulnerable,” said Governor Scott. “But with our data continuing to show limited spread of the virus in Vermont, we can allow for much-needed social and family connections, which we know is also important for the health and well-being of our seniors.”
“While we are easing restrictions for our older Vermonters, we encourage this group and all Vermonters to ‘be smart and stay safe,’” continued Governor Scott.
Vermonters over the age of 65 are no longer required to stay home, however, there is a continued need to take special precautions when going out, including:
- Continue to follow all CDC and VDH guidance, including keeping six feet apart, frequently washing hands with soap and water, avoiding others when sick, and more.
- Avoid high risk areas (positive rate, trend in case rates, outbreaks).
- Whenever possible, choose outdoor activities and keep indoor contact brief.
- Minimize face to face contact while talking or while doing activities that require exertion.
- Watch the size of the room and the number of people in the room
See video of entire Wednesday media briefing below.
Long-Term Care Visitation
Beginning June 19, 2020, outdoor visitation can resume at long-term care residential facilities. Providers must demonstrate they are adhering to physical distancing and relevant CDC guidelines regarding infection control and prevention to maintain a safe environment for patients and staff.
The initial step allows for up to two (2) visitors per resident, per day, which must be conducted outside. This policy still restricts non-essential workers from entering the facilities.
DETAIL
1.Facilities must ensure the following procedures are followed:
i. Visitations must be arranged in advance and scheduled with the facility;
ii. Visitors are screened for symptoms of COVID-19 immediately prior to any visitation with staff or residents of a facility. Those with symptoms must be excluded from visitation;
iii. Limits parties of visitors to no more than two persons;
iv. Each resident may only receive scheduled visitors once per day; and
v. All visitations must be documented and tracked, including maintaining a log of times and dates of all visitors, and their contact information.
2.Facilities must adopt policies to ensure compliance with the Governor’s current relevant Executive Orders regarding out-of-state visitors to Vermont who intend to visit a resident.
3.Visitors (with the exception of children 2 years old or younger) shall be required to wear facemasks or cloth face coverings at all times during the visit. Facilities will require that visitors provide their own facemasks to utilize during the visit.
i. Residents will also be encouraged to wear facemasks or cloth face coverings during visits if they can tolerate them.
4.Facilities shall provide visitors with an alcohol-based hand rub/hand sanitizer prior to interaction with any staff members or residents.
5.The facilities will provide staff supervision as needed to ensure social distancing of at least six feet between people, and that other infection prevention measures are maintained at all times during the visit.
i. Facilities will develop and provide advance notice about facility-specific policies and procedures for safe visitation to scheduled visitors.
6.Physical contact between the visitor(s) and residents, including the passing of items directly to the resident and vice versa, is prohibited.
i. Any gifts or items to be delivered to the resident shall be handled per the facility policy for receiving and sanitizing items.
7.Facilities may limit times, dates, and lengths of stays by visitors based on available resources to ensure the proper care and safety of staff and patients.
8.Homes may place physical barriers or visual reminders/signage to ensure proper distancing during visits.
9.The same visitation approach, outlined above, may be used for allowing residents to visit with other residents, outdoors and up to 3 residents at a time.
10.Visitation for residents under quarantine due to being a new admission, recovering from a hospital stay, or for any other reason should not be scheduled for visits until that quarantine period is successfully completed.
Long-Term Care Visitation Guidance: https://dail.vermont.gov/sites/dail/files//documents/Outdoor_Visitation_Guidelines.pdf
Hospital Visitation
This updated guidance also allows health care providers to ease visitation restrictions if the guidelines for hospital visitation are implemented. Please note in the guidance, the VDH recommends different levels of precautions for outpatient clinics and inpatient, acute care, emergency department and urgent care.
For instance, in most cases one visitor is allowed for inpatient, acute and ED, but none for outpatient clinics. There are exceptions to all these regulations for things like pediatrics or those patients requiring assistance. Click link below for entire guidance.
Hospital Visitation Guidance: https://humanservices.vermont.gov/sites/ahsnew/files/doc_library/Updated-%20Hospital-Visitation-Guidance-June-17.pdf
Restarting Senior Centers – Technical Assistance
Senior Centers may also begin reopening, while following the technical assistance provided by the VDH and DAIL. This announcement does not mean Adult Day programs can resume. Senior Centers serve Vermonters over the age of 50 who are independent and can physically distance and follow infection control guidance.
The technical assistance was developed by DAIL, in partnership with the VDH and the Agency of Commerce and Community Development (ACCD).
Senior Center Restart Technical Assistance: https://dail.vermont.gov/sites/dail/files//documents/Senior_Center_Re-Opening_Plan_Guidance.pdf
For more information on:
- COVID-19 health information, guidance and case data, visit www.healthvermont.gov/covid19.
- The Governor’s actions, visit governor.vermont.gov/covid19response.
- The state’s modeling, visit https://dfr.vermont.gov/about-us/covid-19/modeling.
Source: Montpelier, Vt. – Governor 6.17.2020