MDH Releases Guidance on Quarantine for Residents Leaving LTC for Non-Medically Necessary Outings

Posted on November 25, 2020 by Kari Everson

Today the Minnesota Department of Health published guidance entitled “Long-term Care Guidance Under Executive Order 20-99” specific to residents who leave a long-term care building for reasons other than essential medical appointments. The document references the Governor’s executive order 20-99 and makes the following points:

• Small family gatherings are an important factor contributing to recent increases in viral spread.
• CDC and MDH recommend avoiding in-person gatherings of anyone who does not live with them.
• MDH strongly recommends against families bringing residents of long-term care facilities to their homes during this time regardless of whether or not the resident has previously had COVID-19 or recently tested negative.
• All individuals who leave a long-term care facility for non-medically necessary appointments should be placed in quarantine for 14-days upon return.

You can read the full guidance document here.