Starting Tomorrow, Unvaccinated Individuals Against COVID-19 Can Also Visit Nursing Hospitals and Facilities

Simplification of Preemptive Testing for Workers in Infection-Vulnerable Facilities... Relaxation of Visitor Number Restrictions

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[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Young-won] From the 20th, visits to nursing hospitals and facilities will be allowed regardless of COVID-19 vaccination status.

On the 19th, the government announced that starting from the 20th, various quarantine measures will be eased to promote the return to normalcy in infection-vulnerable facilities such as nursing hospitals and facilities, as well as psychiatric hospitals and facilities. Since the Omicron variant outbreak has entered a declining phase, confirmed cases, group infections, and elderly deaths within these vulnerable facilities have steadily decreased. This measure also takes into account the increased fatigue among workers caused by various quarantine measures.

First, the vaccination requirement for in-person visits will be removed. Currently, only those who have completed the third dose or those who have completed the second dose and have a history of COVID-19 infection can have in-person visits with inpatients or residents of nursing hospitals. Unvaccinated individuals must submit a doctor's note stating that vaccination is difficult due to adverse reactions to be allowed to visit. From the 20th, anyone will be able to have in-person visits without such restrictions.

Inpatients and residents, who were previously allowed to receive visitors mainly vaccinated with the fourth dose, will no longer be subject to this criterion.

The number of visitors, previously limited to four, can be determined according to the institution's circumstances starting from the 20th. However, as per existing policy, visitors must make a prior reservation and submit a negative COVID-19 test result before the visit. Quarantine rules such as wearing masks during visits, prohibiting food consumption, and ventilation will also be maintained.

The scope of allowed outings and overnight stays for nursing hospital and facility inpatients and residents will also be expanded. Currently, outings are only permitted for essential outpatient medical visits, but from the 20th, inpatients and residents who have received the fourth dose or have a history of infection after at least two doses can go out or stay overnight for purposes other than outpatient treatment. Upon return from outings or overnight stays, a negative result must be confirmed via PCR or rapid antigen test.

Proactive testing for workers in infection-vulnerable facilities will be reduced from twice a week (PCR or rapid antigen test) to once a week PCR testing. Workers who have received the fourth dose or have a history of infection after at least two doses will be exempt from proactive testing.

COVID-19 testing for new inpatients and residents will also be simplified. Currently, they must undergo PCR tests twice, on the first and third days, and quarantine for four days. Going forward, if a negative result is confirmed from a single test upon admission, they can be admitted immediately.

External programs in infection-vulnerable facilities will be expanded to all facilities. Previously, they were only allowed in limited places such as day and night care centers. However, instructors conducting these programs must have completed the third dose, and if symptomatic, must undergo proactive testing.

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