Elderly care homes permit visitations as COVID-19 situation improves

Family members can now visit their elderly relatives in nursing homes following a loosening of restrictions on Thursday, according to the Shanghai Civil Affairs Bureau.

Visitors must make reservations in advance, have a green health QR code as well as obtain a negative nucleic acid test result 24 hours prior to entry. Those who have a fever or respiratory symptoms will not be allowed to enter.

The number of visitors, the frequency of visits, and the areas they will be allowed to enter will be subjected to each nursing home's regulations.

The civil affairs authority said that the decision to allow visitations comes on the back of the improving COVID-19 situation in the city.

Workers at such facilities must still undergo nucleic acid tests once daily, while elderly residents are required to undergo testing twice a week. The residents are also encouraged to take antigen tests regularly.

Contact the writer at zhouwenting@chinadaily.com.cn