Governor Ron DeSantis announced on Thursday, October 22, that Florida will loosen its restrictions on visiting nursing homes and long-term care facilities. Source.
Since September 1, Florida residents have been allowed to visit their loved ones in nursing homes so long as they followed the restrictions put in place at the time. Now, Governor DeSantis declared that general visitors are allowed to visit with residents outdoors, even in the event that a positive COVID-19 case has been recently reported at the facility. Indoor visits from general visitors are still banned within 14 days of an employee or resident testing positive in a nursing home. Individuals who have been deemed “compassionate caregivers” are allowed to visit nursing home residents indoors whether there has been a positive case reported or not.
Social distancing restrictions in nursing homes have also been removed for “compassionate caregivers,” and family members will now be allowed to hug their loved ones while visiting nursing homes. Lastly, there are no longer restrictions on children visiting nursing homes, and there is no longer a limit on the number of visitors allowed at a nursing home at one time.
Governor DeSantis continued with making the same argument he has made for months in defending this decision: “Lockdowns are ineffective, and they’re bad for people’s health.” The Governor went on to talk about how even with lockdowns in place and nursing home visits banned, there were still outbreaks in these facilities.
With the residents of nursing homes being the most at-risk population for COVID-19, it is unclear what these loosened restrictions will mean in terms of the virus. Nursing homes need to be a safe place for your loved ones. While the Governor has declared loosened regulations on nursing home visits, it is still the responsibility of the facility to keep your loved one safe. If you feel the nursing home where your loved one resides is not taking the proper care of your loved ones and the other residents, contact the personal injury attorneys at Beltz & Beltz.
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