Dear Family and Friends of South Cove Manor:
I am writing to you today with updates related to changes in many COVID-19 related restrictions that are currently in place in Nursing Homes in Massachusetts. These changes were just announced today, and are in effect at South Cove as of tomorrow, June 17th.
Resident Room Visitation Space:
- If resident and their visitors are fully vaccinated, and the resident’s roommate is also fully vaccinated, masks and social distancing are no longer required when the visit occurs in the resident room. In addition, fully vaccinated residents, and fully vaccinated visitors may share a meal together in the resident’s room.
Outdoor Visitation Space:
- Residents who are fully vaccinated may visit with loved ones who are fully vaccinated without maintaining social distancing or wearing masks.
Dining and Group Activities:
- All residents except for those residents in isolation for suspected or confirmed COVID-19 or in quarantine due to exposure or new admission status, regardless of vaccination status, can participate in group activities;
- If all participating residents are fully vaccinated, then residents do not need to wear a mask or socially distance
- Small groups of residents who are fully vaccinated may dine together at a table without social distancing or wearing masks.
Staff PPE Requirements:
- Staff Members are no longer required to wear eye protection (face shields/goggles) if there are no suspected or confirmed positive cases of COVID -19 on the courtyard they are working in.
- Staff are still required to wear masks in patient care areas.
- Masks may be removed by fully vaccinated staff members in non-patient care areas, in offices, and in any meeting space or breakroom where all staff present are fully vaccinated.
As you can see, there are some significant, and positive changes in existing regulations. We all look forward to this trend continuing, and are hopeful that additional restrictions will be lifted in the near future.
Please do not hesitate to reach out to Li Chen or I with any questions that you may have.
Thank you again for placing your trust in South Cove Manor.
