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From: TT
Published:
Photo: Jessica Gow / TT
The Minister for Social Affairs, Lena Hallengren (S), tasked IVO with verifying how the nursing home guidelines for safe visitation work as the visitation ban has been lifted. Stock Photography.
The restraining order was removed; Instead, the new regulations will ensure that older people can welcome family and friends into their homes without risking infection with the virus. Now the Swedish Health and Care Inspectorate (Ivo) will examine whether they are being followed and functioning.
It is the government and the Minister of Social Affairs, Lena Hallengren (S), who entrust Ivo with the task. When TT asks if she has received indications that the guidelines are not being followed, she responds:
– No, I can’t say that. When we lifted the restraining order, it was important to have guidance, routines, and regulations in place in order to have safe visits. This task is to follow up.
The curfew was introduced on April 1 and was not lifted until October 1. At that time, the National Board of Health and Welfare finalized regulations on how infection-proof visits can be conducted. Now, however, the infection has re-entered nursing homes in their places.
Restraining order again?
But it is not relevant, according to Lena Hallengren, to reintroduce a restraining order.
– You should never say never. But it is important to remember that this involves 85,000 people in 1,700 households. They have had very limited contact.
The information he has received, he says, is that it is now mainly the staff who are infected, not the visitors.
– I don’t think there is anything today to suggest that we should limit the opportunity for people who are living their last time in life to meet their loved ones when outdoor visits become more difficult to come by, he says.
Of course
He reiterates that visits must be carried out safely. There is also no obstacle to discouraging visits at the local level.
Hallengren adds that for Ivo it is not primarily about finding flaws or deficiencies, even if Ivo in that case may decide on a fine. The task is as much about helping the elderly to do the right thing, if necessary.
Ivo will report to the government on December 1.
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