Easing Restrictions on Nursing Home Visits... "Considering Video Visits and Transparent Partitions" (Update)

"On the 8th, Parents' Day: Avoid Visits Due to High Infection Spread"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] On the 7th, the government announced that it is discussing measures to ease visitation restrictions at facilities densely populated by high-risk groups for COVID-19, such as nursing homes. However, visitation will still be prohibited on May 8th, Parents' Day, due to ongoing concerns about virus transmission.

Yoon Tae-ho, head of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters' quarantine team, said at a regular briefing held at the Government Sejong Complex, "As social distancing continues, we are currently discussing how to ease quarantine measures, especially visitation bans, at high-risk facilities like nursing homes."

The government has been working on plans to partially resume visitations at nursing hospitals ahead of Parents' Day on May 8th. Yoon said, "It is quite difficult to immediately lift quarantine measures. We are receiving opinions from the Central Disease Control Headquarters and local governments on how to gradually ease restrictions."

The government mentioned the possibility of introducing transparent partitions and video visitations. Yoon stated, "Some local governments are implementing measures such as allowing face-to-face meetings with transparent partitions to prevent droplet infection, or conducting visitations outdoors with sufficient distancing by appointment. After reviewing these exemplary and outstanding cases, we plan to announce separate guidelines for easing visitation restrictions."

He added, "Some nursing homes and nursing hospitals are also conducting video consultations. Since video meetings, as well as phone calls, are sufficient methods for non-face-to-face visitations, we believe they can be applied."

To prevent the spread of infection, the government once again urged people to refrain from visiting nursing facilities on this Parents' Day. Yoon said, "We understand the desire to meet family members you haven't seen for a long time, but since COVID-19 is not over yet, please refrain from visiting in person and check on them via phone or video calls. Even if you do visit hospitals or facilities, please strictly follow social distancing and personal quarantine guidelines."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.