Minnesota Department of Health Relaxes Coronavirus Guidelines for Gatherings in Assisted Living

The Minnesota Department of Health has announced revised guidance for assisted-living communities that permits fully vaccinated seniors to sit together to play cards and dine, reports the Pine Journal . Seniors who have been vaccinated against the coronavirus can be closer than six feet apart, although masks remain necessary. "Due to the real impact we are seeing high vaccination rates have on the spread of disease and serious illness, we as state regulators of assisted living are changing our guidance to allow for more open dining and activities to better meet the needs of residents, families and providers," said Minnesota Health Commissioner Jan Malcolm. The new guidance does not cover skilled nursing communities where residents are at higher risk of serious illness, and which are regulated by the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid.