On April 27, CMS and CDC updated guidance for long term care facilities in response to COVID-19 vaccination. Key changes impact visitation, communal dining and activities, as well as routine testing.

The following key changes have now been made:

• Residents and visitors may visit without distancing and source control masks if alone in the resident’s room and the resident and visitor are fully vaccinated. If the visitor is not vaccinated, they can visit with a fully vaccinated resident alone in the resident’s room without distancing while wearing well-fitting source control masks.
• Communal dining and activities may occur without physical distancing if all residents are vaccinated.
• Vaccinated health care personnel no longer need to undergo routine testing, but should continue to be tested after exposure, during an outbreak, or if experiencing symptoms.

AHCA/NCAL has provided a detailed summary of these updates.

Quick Links

• CDC Updated Healthcare Infection Prevention and Control Recommendations in Response to COVID-19 Vaccination
• QSO-20-39-NH – Memo on Nursing Home Visitation
• QSO-20-38-NH – Memo on Testing