CARE OF THE ELDERLY, DISABLED - ACCESS RESTRICTIONS DUE TO COVID

 Filenews 23 October 2020

The Ministry of Labour, Welfare and Social Insurance, with the agreement of the Ministry of Health, informs the public that taking into account the latest developments in the epidemiological picture prevailing in our country with the increase in CASES OF COVID-19, the following measures are differentiated and enter into force from today, 23 October 2020:

• The State, Private and Community Care of the Elderly and Disabled/ Caregivers, the State Institutions of Child and Adolescent Protection, as well as the Structures of 24-Hour Care for the Disabled, will receive visits as follows:

For each tenant, a relative's visit is permitted, up to twice a week, after an advance telephone arrangement with the owner and/or administrator and/or managing person of the State, Private and Community Homes for the Elderly and Disabled, State Institutions of Child and Adolescent Protection, as well as 24-hour Care Structures for the disabled, for the determination of the day and time of visit, as well as the length of the visitor's stay at the site, so as not to exceed one hour visit.

The arrangement should be such as to comply with measures of physical distancing and avoidance of confusion, i.e. a distance of at least one metre between residents and staff and visitors. Record visits for reasons of possible need for tracing.

Guests must observe and apply strict hand hygiene during visits. It is understood that all precautionary measures announced by the Ministry of Health will continue to be taken. Active surveillance by the staff of the Structures to all persons entering these areas is mandatory.

For the entry of adult visitors and children aged 12 years and over into the Structures, the mandatory and correct use of a protective face mask is required, in accordance with the revised Decree and after thermometering. At the same time, a short interview will be held by an employee of the Structure, so as not to be allowed entry in the following cases:

k. visitors who have been in close contact with a suspected or confirmed case or who have had a recent travel history

Ii. to visitors who show any symptoms compatible with respiratory infection (e.g. cough, fever or decimal pyretic movement, runny nose, inability to pay).

The exits of the residents from the care facility should be limited to the most necessary and the necessary precautionary measures announced by the Ministry of Health should be taken.

• The use of a mask in elevators is mandatory. The use of lifts shall be limited where possible and during use to persons not exceeding two.
• To the Owners / Administrators / Managing Persons of the State, Private and Community Homes of the Elderly and Disabled / Caregivers, State Institutions of Child and Adolescent Protection, as well as Structures of 24-hour Care for the Disabled, a letter has been sent with more detailed precautionary measures and related instructions, according to instructions of the Ministry of Health.

It is also recalled that all precautionary measures announced by the Ministry of Health should be strictly observed by all staff of the above Structures.

For support or clarification you can contact the local Provincial Welfare Offices whose telephone numbers can be found on the Social Welfare Services website.

Source: eyenews