SOUTH JERSEY (KYW Newsradio) — The New Jersey Health Department is relaxing COVID-19 rules at long-term care facilities.
New rules issued Wednesday allow vaccinated residents in long-term care facilities to hug or touch vaccinated visitors without masks or social distancing.
“If both the visitor and resident are fully vaccinated, residents and their visitors may choose to have close contact, including touching or hugging and removing their face masks if they are alone in the resident’s room,” said New Jersey Health Commissioner Judy Persichilli.
More group activities among vaccinated residents at nursing homes are being allowed, too.
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“If all residents participating in the group activity or communal dining are fully vaccinated, they can participate without physical distancing and without wearing a mask during the activity,” Persichilli said at Governor Phil Murphy's COVID-19 briefing.
Barbers and hair stylists are also permitted to enter nursing homes, provided they’re screened by the facility.
With a CDC panel giving emergency approval to the Pfizer vaccine for children ages 12 to 15, Persichilli also said parents shouldn’t hesitate to get the shots for their children.
“It’s important for adolescents to get vaccinated, because we have seen in rare cases children can get very ill with this virus,” Persichilli said.
“While many do not think this virus can be serious for children, the data shows that it can be.”
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Addressing vaccine hesitancy among adults, Persichilli pointed out that only 46% of those who are vaccinated are men.
“I’m going to say to the women: Use your power. Convince your male friends to get vaccinated. I want to say to the men: Nobody is stronger than this virus.”