Saturday, April 11, 2020

Visitor restrictions extended to May 3 during COVID-19 outbreak

By Aileen Wingblad

Governor Gretchen Whitmer has extended restrictions for visiting hospice care centers, nursing homes, juvenile detention facilities and other residential places providing care through May 3.

Executive order 2020-37 renews the restrictions on entry into designated facilities that were put in place in March and set to expire on April 5. It applies to:

• Health care facilities

• Residential and congregate care facilities including nursing homes, adult foster care facilities, hospice facilities, substance abuse treatment facilities, independent and assisted living facilities, conand others

• Juvenile justice facilities

The order requires the facilities to prohibit entry by visitors who aren’t “necessary for the provision of medical care, the support of activities of daily living, or the exercise of power of attorney or court-appointed guardianship” for someone under the facility’s care. For residents of facilities age 21 and under, visitors will be prohibited if they aren’t a parent, foster parent or guardian.

Also prohibited are visits to people who aren’t in serious or critical condition or in hospice care. Visits from people performing official governmental functions or “exigent circumstances” such as a doula and partner accompanying a mother in labor are permitted if they pass required health screenings.

“We must continue to do everything we can to protect Michiganders,” Whitmer said. “This is a hard time for families, and we will continue to put their health and safety first when making these decisions. I encourage everyone in Michigan to remain flexible and do their part to slow the spread of COVID-19.”

The order further requires facilities to “use best efforts to facilitate remote visitations between individuals under their care and their loved ones, using phone or video conferencing software.”

Full Article & Source: 
Visitor restrictions extended to May 3 during COVID-19 outbreak

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