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Michigan To Allow In-Person Nursing Home Visits In "Low Risk" Counties

JOELLE SEDLMEYER / GETTY IMAGES

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services has issued an order to allow more in-person visits with people in nursing homes. The order applies to facilities in counties the state has identified as “low risk.”

Director Robert Gordon said as temperatures grow colder outdoor visits will no longer be an option, even though indoor visits are a bigger risk.

“And so it’s a very tricky balance, and we are opening indoor visitation in a very limited way with required testing. We do think it’s a step forward. It may not be as much as some people wanted. But we think that to protect lives it’s the right step right no,” Gordon said.

The order applies to facilities in counties the state has identified as “low risk.” Visits are by appointment only. And the facility must have no new cases within the past 14 days. Gordon says the new order was issued because in-person contact with loved ones is necessary to the well-being of people in nursing homes.

Rick Pluta is Senior Capitol Correspondent for the Michigan Public Radio Network. He has been covering Michigan’s Capitol, government, and politics since 1987. His journalism background includes stints with UPI, The Elizabeth (NJ) Daily Journal, The (Pontiac, MI) Oakland Press, and WJR. He is also a lifelong public radio listener.
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