A family visit to an nursing home, respecting barrier gestures. – GEOFFROY VAN DER HASSELT / AFP
Deconfinement is also becoming clearer concerning accommodation establishments for dependent elderly people (Ehpad). The government presented Wednesday evening the protective measures against Covid-19 which will be in force in institutions for the elderly from May 19, “the freedom to come and go” becoming the rule for residents and their relatives.
With this new health protocol, it is to support “a gradual return to normal”, detailed the Minister for Autonomy, Brigitte Bourguignon, in a press release.
Reunion between residents and relatives
“The success of the vaccination campaign as well as the improvement in the health situation today justify relaxing the protective measures and really organizing the reunion between residents and their relatives,” she added.
From May 19, residents of nursing homes (accommodation establishments for dependent elderly people), USLDs (long-term care units) and independent residences will be able to benefit, “like the rest of the general population, from the possibility of to see their loved ones and to respect their freedom to come and go, ”the statement said.
Restrictions from three cases of Covid-19
Restriction measures, which will become the exception, will no longer be implemented as soon as a case of Covid-19 appears among residents but “from three cases, that is to say the appearance of a cluster ”.
The introduction of restrictions must now be the subject of a dialogue “between the representatives of the establishment, residents and families, via a consultation of the council for social life (CVS) of the establishment”.
Finally, all day care centers, including those that do not have a separate entrance to an establishment, are authorized to reopen.