Valencia Relaxes Restrictions In Nursing Homes

Nursing Home Deaths Fall By 99 Per Cent In Spain

Image: File photo, EWN

Valencia relaxes restrictions in nursing homes but physical contact still not permitted.
THE president of the Valencian Government, Ximo Puig, yesterday announced an easing of certain restrictions which will come into effect on Monday, April 12. Together with the Ministry of Health, the president has decided to reduce measures in nursing homes in the community to give greater flexibility to visitors and allow family members see each other more freely. However, many were dismayed to hear that hugs are still banned.
According to the latest data, the rollout of the vaccination plan has reduced fatalities from Covid in nursing homes by an impressive 99 per cent in the past two months; however, the new protocol for elderly residences will still prohibit physical contact, according to Spanish daily Levante.
Under the new guidelines, in facilities where all of the elderly people have been vaccinated (which is practically every one) “the departure of vaccinated residents will be facilitated as much as possible, maintaining preventative measure such as a mask, hygiene and distance, except for the restrictions of the general public.” This measure will come as a huge relief for families, who can now visit with their loved ones outside of their nursing homes.
According to the spokesperson, “to mitigate the possible health consequences of the mobility and social restriction, in residences without an open outbreak, coexistence activities, visits and outings will be carried out, with hygiene and safety conditions.” The Ministry said that with these new measures, they are trying to create as normal a living situation as possible, under the current circumstances, for the residents of nursing homes.
Visits outside of the facilities will be freely permitted as long as the alert remains at level 1 or 2. For centres in municipalities at alert levels 3 or 4, outings, with or without an overnight stay, will only be permitted if at least 95 per cent of residents and staff have been vaccinated.
 

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Sarah Keane

Former teacher and health services manager with a Degree in English, Sarah moved to Spain from Southern Ireland with her husband, who runs his own car rental business, in 2019. She is now enjoying a completely different pace and quality of life on the Costa Blanca South, with wonderful Spanish and expat friends in Cabo Roig. Sarah began working with Euro Weekly News in 2020 and loves nothing more than bringing all the latest national and international news to her local community.

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