Florida Issues Rules Permitting Senior Living Visitation
Shareholder James Walson discusses the requirements that a facility and visitors must meet under the Division of Emergency Management’s new executive order.
Since March, the Division of Emergency Management for the State of Florida has suspended visiting rights at senior living facilities due to the COVID-19 pandemic to all but “compassionate care” situations (i.e., end of life situations) and “essential caregivers.” On September 1, 2020, the Division of Emergency Management issued Emergency Order No. 20-009 which expanded the list of potential facility visitors if a facility and the visitor meet certain requirements.
Although full and unrestricted visitation rights otherwise mandated by the Florida Statutes remains suspended, the new order now allows general visitation and “essential visitors” under certain circumstances and provides facilities with more guidance as to what standard they must maintain to allow such visitors.
