MDH Posts Additional Environmental Guidance on Indoor Visitation

Posted on November 4, 2020 by Jonathan Lips

In new Guidance for Selecting In-building Visitation Area in Long-Term Facilities (11/04/20) released today, MDH provides more details about divider specifications in rooms or visitation areas, as well as specifics on room ventilation and airflow diagrams.

If a divider is used, the following guidelines apply:

• Dividers are considered an interior finish and must meet rating requirements for interior finish. 
• Clear dividers should be polycarbonate material (Lexan™).
• If a framed wall is installed as a divider, the walls should be framed with steel studs and completely covered with drywall.
• Dividers should be sized to ensure separation between staff, residents or visitors whether sitting, standing, or otherwise moving within the space.
• Dividers must be at least 18 inches from the ceiling to allow the sprinkler system and smoke detection systems to work properly.
• Dividers must be stable and secure.
• Use of a divider is not a replacement for wearing face coverings and physical distancing.

This new guidance adds to previous publications on HVAC COVID-19 Guidance from MDH (9/4/20) and on clear dividers in this document: Tents and Clear Divider MDH Guidance (9/30/20).