Massachusetts Restricts Nursing Community Visitors to Reduce Risk of Coronavirus

The state of Massachusetts is restricting visitors to nursing and senior care communities to protect older adults at greater risk for coronavirus, reports the Boston Herald . Public Health Commissioner Dr. Monica Bharel issued an order on Wednesday requiring active screening of all visitors and measures to bar them under certain conditions. "It's particularly important that we take precautions to keep older adults and those with health conditions safe," declared Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker. "This new guidance . . . is critical to protecting older adults from COVID-19 and we appreciate the public's willingness to observe these important rules for the foreseeable future." According to Health and Human Services Secretary Marylou Sudders, the restrictions apply to visitors who show signs or symptoms of a respiratory infection; visitors who in the last two weeks had contact with someone with a confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis, are under investigation for coronavirus, or have been ill; visitors who have traveled internationally in the last 14 days or are living in a community where COVID-19 proliferation is occurring; and visitors who currently feel sick or exhibit symptoms.