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New mandate requires RI nursing home visitors to be vaccinated or test negative for COVID

Providence Journal - 1/10/2022

All visitors to nursing homes and assisted living facilities in Rhode Island must either be vaccinated or provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test, the office of Gov. Dan McKee announced on Monday.

Additionally, all visitors will be required to wear masks, regardless of their vaccination status.

The mandate, issued with the Rhode Island Department of Health, will go into effect immediately.

Previously, Rhode Island's nursing home guidelines had stated that visitors only needed to wear masks if they had not been vaccinated.

More: RI Health Dept. opens door for COVID-infected staff to work at hospitals, nursing homes

The emergency rule allows facilities to keep a list of visitors who have already provided proof that they are vaccinated, so that repeat visitors don't have to show their vaccine cards again and again.

Those who opt to provide proof of a negative test instead "must either have a negative antigen (rapid) test result from within the previous 48 hours, or a negative PCR test result from within the previous 72 hours," a news release from McKee's office stated.

More: Nursing homes, already facing staffing crisis, grapple with vaccine deadline

The new policy "will help alleviate pressure" on nursing homes and assisted living facilities "and keep residents, staff and visitors safe," McKee said in a statement.

McKee and Director of Health Dr. Nicole Alexander-Scott both alluded to the fact that Rhode Island is once again experiencing a surge of COVID cases — which could peak this week, according to the state's models.

"If you have a loved one in a nursing home or assisted living facility, the best way to visit safely with that person is to get vaccinated," Alexander-Scott was quoted as saying. "However, to ensure that residents can still see their loved ones, testing is also an option."

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