Louisiana veterans homes will begin allowing in-person visits Tuesday for the first time since the pandemic began.
Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs spokesperson Brandee Patrick said everyone entering the facilities will be required to mask up and get screened just like the staff does every morning.
“They will be asked a series of questions, their temperature will be taken, they will be asked to use hand sanitizer and then if they do not have a face covering with them they will be given on,” said Patrick.
Homes included in the initial visitation program are in Monroe, Bossier City, Reserve, and Jennings, and the program will only be allowed at facilities that have not had a staff member or resident test positive for 14 days.
For at least the next 28 days visitations will have to happen outdoors and visitors will have to stay six feet away from their loved ones. Patrick said it will likely take place on the spacious patios.
“Probably more than one set of residents and family member will be meeting at a time because these are typically large outdoor areas,” said Patrick.
No one under 14 will be allowed at the facilities at this time.
Patrick says visitations will be conducted Monday through Friday from 9 to 11 AM and 1 to 4 PM, and visitors must call the home to set up a reservation.
“This is so that there is a period of visitation and then a time frame where some disinfecting and set up can be done,” said Patrick.
The protocol was designed by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and the CDC.
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