BILLINGS – Yellowstone County Health Officer John Felton announced a public health order Friday that restricts visits to area nursing homes.
Felton made the announcement at a press conference on Friday afternoon noting the increasing number of COVID-19 cases in the county and the risk to care center residents.
The order takes effect at 12:01 am on Saturday, July 4 and prohibits visits to “skilled nursing facilities, assisted living facilities, memory facilities, and group homes for adults.”
The only exception to the order is “compassionate visits at the end of life,” says the order.
For those who make end-of-life visits, the order requires that they wear a mask or face covering at all times on the premises.
Felton’s order also recommended that all of those facilities adopt policies that require workers, contractors, delivery personnel, and others who may enter the facility to wear masks or facial covering.
The order will remain in effect until terminated or modified, Felton said.
In issuing the order, Felton said Yellowstone County has “recently experienced a significant increase in the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases involving staff and residents of multiple senior and assisted living facilities, representing an imminent threat to vulnerable residents living in such facilities. “
Watch the full press conference in the video above.
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