Bullock lifts restrictions on visitation to long-term care facilities

Montana’s nursing homes and assisted-living facilities can now allow “safe visitation,” according to an updated directive issued Thursday by Gov. Steve Bullock.

According to the directive, facilities may allow visitors “after giving notice of the recommended safeguards to residents and family members.” These safeguards include strict screening, physical distancing, hygiene and other infection control protocols established by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

“I’d like to offer my thanks to the staff of residential facilities for older adults across Montana for all they have done and continue to do to keep Montanans safe and healthy,” Bullock said in a press release.

“We recognize this has been a particularly challenging time for Montana’s older adults and it’s our hope that these Montanans will be able to have some social interaction in safe ways with their loved ones.”

Bullock issued the original directive on March 15 that suspended all non-essential visitation to long-term care facilities. As a result, with a few exceptions, “residents of Montana’s senior and assisted living facilities have been physically isolated from their family and friends,” the updated directive states.