Mass. nursing home residents allowed visitors, with restrictions

— Massachusetts residents with family members in nursing homes and some other long-term care facilities can start to visit their loved ones again starting Wednesday, according to new state guidelines meant to slow the spread of the coronavirus.

Visits have been limited since mid-March to help protect a particularly vulnerable population. Still, more than 60% of the state’s coronavirus-related deaths have been in nursing home residents, according to state data.

Under the guidelines, visits must be scheduled in advance and take place in designated outdoor areas, with the exception of end-of-life situations.

Nursing home residents are allowed only two visitors at a time, and everyone must wear a mask and stay at least 6 feet apart. Residents with confirmed or possible cases of the disease cannot have visitors, although those who have recovered can.

Visitors will have their temperature taken and be screened for symptoms of COVID-19, the disease caused by the virus.

FAIR CANCELED

A Massachusetts agricultural fair first held in 1848 has been canceled because of the pandemic.

The 2020 Franklin County Fair in Greenfield scheduled for Sept. 10-13 was canceled Tuesday following a unanimous vote by the Franklin County Agricultural Society’s board of directors, The Recorder of Greenfield reported.

Society president Mike Nelson called it a “difficult and heartbreaking” decision on the fair’s Facebook page.

“This step is one we hate to take, but absolutely must,” Nelson wrote.

The fair is also facing a loss of sponsorship, the possibility of significantly decreased attendance and the cost of an erosion repair project at the fairgrounds.