Visits at elderly homes, except for Saint Vincent de Paul, to resume on 18 June

Government, church and private homes for the elderly will allow visits as from the 18th, and residents will be allowed to go out from 1 July.

This, however, does not apply for the Saint Vincent De Paul Residence, the Social Care Standards Authority (SCSA) said.

A new circular to all elderly homes (bar Saint Vincent de Paul) was issued by the SCSA after consultation with the Public Health Authority.

In this circular, the authority set out a detailed plan with precautionary measures so as from 18 June, homes can allow relatives to visit without the use of perspex/glass barriers, and from 1 July older persons requesting to go out of the Home will be allowed to do so.

The circular states that older persons can socialise in common areas without being limited to their respective rooms or floors.

As from the 18th, homes can allow relatives to visit without the use of perspex/glass barriers. Each Head of Home (HOH) is to identify a spacious and wellventilated area where relatives / other visitors can visit the resident.

The visitors’ area must consist of a comfortable armchair for the resident and two chairs for the visitors. There should be 2 metres distance between the resident and the visitor.

Visitors are to be screened for fever. Both visitors and residents need to wear a mask or visor during the visit.

Only two visitors per resident will be allowed. Visits have to be made by appointment and should take no longer than 25 minutes.