MDH Releases New Guidance For Visitation and Outings

Bethesda is excited to swiftly activate new guidance regarding visitation and outings for residents and tenants within our senior living communities, creating an immediate positive impact on the daily life at Bethesda for all those we serve. On Wednesday, March 17, 2021, the Minnesota Department of Health issued new guidance allowing for expanded in-room visitation, removing the need to schedule a visitation, and altering quarantine guidance following non-medically necessary outings for vaccinated residents.

We are eager to begin this new guidance, and safely implement the CMS and MDH recommendations so that those we serve can begin to reconnect with those they love. We invite you to review the below information in its entirety to learn more.

SPECIAL NOTE: Masking guidance has NOT changed. Please continue to properly wear your surgical mask at all times while at any Bethesda location. 

Updated Visitation Guidance

General public visitors are now welcome to visit in-rooms at any time!

• Visitors must continue to enter via the main entrance of whichever Bethesda location they are visiting. All visitors must be actively screened and check-in and check-out at their entry point. Please review the screening questions prior to visiting here.
• Visitors must immediately travel to their intended resident/tenant’s room. If you are unsure of which neighborhood you are intending to visit, please email our COVID Specialist.
• Groups are limited to 3 persons, per room at one time.
• Visits may be held at any time, without the need to schedule. Please continue to remain mindful of meal times and rest times. We also encourage visits to be less than 3-hours.
• Indoor visits will be placed on immediate temporary hold if a staff or resident tests positive for COVID-19. Visitors are responsible for ensuring their intended area is currently accepting general public visits. Please continue watching the COVID-19 page on our website for updated information on visitation status. *Note* MDH guidelines states that one active case of COVID-19 among staff or residents/tenants is referred to as an “outbreak status”.  For more information please view the flow chart.
• Residents/tenants may touch visitors if vaccinated, residents/tenants who chose not to receive the vaccine must continue to follow no-touch guidance.
• Eating and drinking of any kind are still not allowed for visitors under the new guidance.
• Children and pets are welcome to visit. All visitors over 5-years-old must wear a mask at all times, under 5 please wear as tolerated.
• All visitors must be able to remain in the intended room for the duration of the visit.
• Physical distancing of 6-feet from staff or other residents must continue to be followed.
• We encourage all visitors to consider participating in COVID-19 vaccination if they have not already done so. Learn more at Kandiyohi County Public Health COVID-19 Information Hub

Please remember that the person you intend to visit has the right to choose to allow general public visitors or not. We encourage you to call them ahead of your visit.

Updated Outing Guidance

Vaccinated Residents

• Do not have to quarantine after non-medically necessary outings unless they spend 15 minutes or more in a 24-hour period within 6 feet of someone who is COVID positive.
• May gather indoors or outdoors with other people who are fully vaccinated.
• Can visit indoors or outdoors with unvaccinated people from a single household who are at low risk for severe COVID-19 infection.
• Can choose to have close contact (including touch) with the persons they are visiting.
• If a resident who is fully vaccinated chooses to attend a place of worship or another group event or to shop or eat in public establishments, the resident should follow the core principles of COVID-19 infection prevention. MDH strongly encourages attending places of worship or other group events only when the 14-day county percent positivity rate is below 5%.
• Should continue to take steps to prevent contact with COVID-19 in public settings. Examples include wearing a well-fitted mask over their mouth and nose, and physical distancing.

Unvaccinated Residents

• Unvaccinated residents who leave the building to gather with others may be required to quarantine when they return. At this time, quarantine recommendations remain unchanged for an unvaccinated resident, regardless of the vaccination status of those with whom they gather.

All residents/tenants and community members should continue to…

• Continue to take steps to prevent contact with COVID-19 in public settings. Examples include continuing to wear a well-fitted mask over their mouth and nose, and physical distancing.
• Follow infection control practices, such as wearing masks, practicing social distancing, and perform proper hand hygiene.
• Comply with any current state mandates or restrictions on group size at the time of the outing.
• Get tested if they have CDC: Symptoms of Coronavirus
• Follow CDC and health department travel requirements and recommendations