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(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — The Illinois Department of Public Health is approving limited outdoor visits at nursing homes.
Nursing homes started banning visitors in March to try to get some control over coronavirus. More than half the COVID-19 deaths in Illinois have been in nursing homes.
Now, the state is relaxing visitation policies for nursing homes.
Visits must be outside. Masks must be worn and visitors have to be screened for illness.
A social distance of 6 feet must be maintained. And no more than two visitors at a time for each resident.
Nursing homes have to come up with a specific plan before visits can begin. The state's guidelines can be found here.
Illinois health officials on Friday reported 44 more people died of COVID-19, raising the state’s death total to 6,580. A total of 135,470 people have tested positive for the coronavirus in Illinois, the Sun-Time Media Wire reported.