Green light to visits to the RSA, with measures and rules. “I have just signed the ordinance that will allow safe visits to all RSAs. I thank the Regions and the Technical Scientific Committee” for the Covid emergency “who have worked in harmony with the Ministry of Health to achieve this important result. It is still necessary to maintain the utmost attention and respect the rules and protocols provided, but we share the joy of those who will finally be able to see their loved ones again after the distance necessary to protect them “announces on Facebook the Minister of Health, Roberto Speranza.
“Finally, we also overcome the lockdown of the affections – says Mariastella Gelmini, minister for regional affairs and autonomies in a note – Now there are the conditions so that we can allow vaccinated patients of the RSA to receive visits, especially since in those structures the health personnel are all already immunized. With the ordinance of the Ministry of Health and with the protocols defined by the Technical Scientific Committee and the Regions, our elderly will soon be less alone. Another important step towards a gradual return to normality ”.
GREEN PASS – Green Pass in hand to access the RSA and finally be able to see their elderly again, after months of forced distance dictated by the pandemic. The ordinance, which has today’s date at the bottom, Saturday 8 May, the eve of Mother’s Day, will have “immediate effect”, specify by the Ministry of Health.
As stated in the text, in fact, it enters into force from the moment of its adoption and will remain valid until 30 July 2021. One of the salient points is the Green Pass: in the third paragraph of article 1 it is explained that family members and visitors, at the time of access, they must exhibit the “Covid-19 green certifications”, provided for by the decree law of 22 April, exclusively to the persons in charge of checks (in compliance with the provisions on the protection of personal data).
A concept reaffirmed also in the document that dictates the modalities of access / exit of guests and visitors in these structures. The Green Passes, it is explained, “can be a useful tool for guiding the regulation of scheduled visits and outings, compatibly with the local situation and with the specificity of services and structures that can accommodate users with different degrees of fragility and transmission risk. infectious “. It is also pointed out that “the possession and presentation of green certifications does not replace compliance with the measures to prevent and combat the spread of the infection nor the interruption of screening programs where provided for”.
The ordinance regulates the access of family members and visitors to hospitality and long-term care facilities, assisted healthcare residences, hospices, rehabilitation facilities and residential facilities for the elderly, self-sufficient, and residential social care facilities. Access, the text reads, allowed in compliance with the document that dictates the access and exit procedures, adopted by the Conference of Regions and Autonomous Provinces, as integrated and validated by the Technical Scientific Committee for the coronavirus emergency. Document which is an integral part of the ordinance.
In paragraph 2 of article 1 it is specified that “the medical director or the competent health authority, in relation to the specific epidemiological context, may adopt more restrictive precautionary measures necessary to prevent possible transmission of infection”.
MAXIMUM TWO VISITORS PER GUEST – “Accesses must normally concern no more than two visitors per guest per visit, identified by the guest or, in the case of his certified inability, identified in the sphere of relationship / affections of the guest himself and for a defined duration to also favor frequently visits to all those who are authorized “reads the document.
“In specific clinical / psychological conditions (by way of example, but not limited to: in the end of life stages, in the case of minor users, severe depression, cognitive impairment, specific psychic or sensory disabilities, very serious disabilities, vegetative states, etc.) – yes specifies – it is possible to evaluate the alternation of more specifically identified visitors, as well as for any caregivers, even for frequencies and durations higher than what is ordinarily foreseen “.
The document also defines “not recommended for access to children under the age of 6 for whom it is not possible to guarantee compliance with the preventive measures”.
OPEN SPACES – “In the presence of favorable climatic conditions, meetings in open spaces and dedicated to this purpose should always be favored”, reads the document. “Adequate distancing between visitor and guest must be monitored – it is specified – and that between different family groups present at the same time, after evaluating the configuration of the external spaces and their surface, to calculate the maximum number of admissible visits at the same time, taking care to guarantee confidentiality and intimacy for family and guests “. Furthermore, “as far as possible, separation must be guaranteed between the outdoor spaces that can be used for visits and those used for other functions or by persons present in the structure for different reasons”.
EXIT AND RETURN – The document then states that “taking into account the relevance for the purposes of the welfare project and the psychosocial well-being of the residents, the possibility of scheduled outings for guests and returning to the family must be guaranteed”.
“The scheduled exit of guests from their facilities – it is specified – requires specific regulation by the Health Departments / Medical Managers / Covid-19 Contact Person, or by the referring specialist or by the treating doctor in agreement with the management of the structure”.
FFP2 MASKS FOR VISITORS AND GUESTS – “The family member / visitor – it continues – must always carry out hand hygiene at the entrance and exit from the structure and always and correctly wear personal protective equipment according to the level of risk (at least Ffp2 or higher) . Where possible “, moreover,” compatibly with clinical conditions and tolerability “, also” the guest will wear protective airway devices according to the level of risk (at least Ffp2 or higher) “.
The visits must be organized in such a way as to “avoid gatherings of people – it is specified – and the maintenance of at least 1 meter of separation between visitors must be ensured (extendable up to 2 meters based on the epidemiological risk scenario), with the exception of the components of the same family unit or cohabitants or for people who, according to the provisions in force, are not subject to interpersonal distancing (this aspect relates to individual responsibility) “.
HUG ONLY BETWEEN VACCINATED OR HEALED – “Physical contact between visitor / family member and guest / patient can be taken into consideration in particular conditions of demanding relational / affective relationships. The interaction with physical contact can only take place between family member / visitor in possession of the Covid-19 Green Certification and guest / patient vaccinated or infected in the last 6 months, unless otherwise justified by indications from the Health Department or from the medical referent or treating physician (eg guest with contraindication to vaccination) “, then specifies the ordinance.