Long-Term Care Settings to allow indoor visitation

Developmental Disabilities Administration

March 25, 2021

Dear Staff and Stakeholders,

Last Thursday, Governor Jay Inslee announced that effective March 19, 2021 expanded indoor visitation at the state’s nearly 4,300 long-term care facilities and settings will be allowed. Earlier this month, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services issued guidance recommending the return of indoor visitation. Visitation was prohibited last March in Washington facilities, with some exceptions. Indoor visits will now be allowed if either the resident or visitor are fully vaccinated.

“This past year has been full of new and unique challenges. One of the most difficult has been to remain physically apart from our loved ones for so long,” said DSHS Assistant Secretary Evelyn Perez. “We are now seeing a decline in the number of cases in our programs thanks to vaccines, infection controls, and the other measures put into place. I believe the timing is right and am thrilled to be able to announce these new visitation guidelines.”

The state’s Safe Start for Long-Term Care Plan has been updated to reflect these changes.

For more on when and how you may visit your loved one in a long-term care setting link to the visitation guidelines

Contact us for questions or feedback.