News Article

Guidance for Masking During Visitation in Nursing Homes

October 24, 2022

On September 23, 2022, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) updated their guidance for masking during visitation in nursing homes. Read our new one-page fact sheet for simple information on when masking is recommended in a long-term care facility.

Recommendations for masking in nursing homes are based on community transmission levels which are the number of new COVID-19 cases in a particular area in the previous seven days. When community transmissions levels are high, masking is recommended in all health care settings, including long-term care facilities. When community transmission levels are not high, and the facility is not experiencing an outbreak, a facility could choose to not require visitors to wear a mask or face covering.

REMEMBER! Regardless of the COVID-19 community transmission level, when visiting a resident, you should follow their preference about masking in their presence. The nursing home is their home, and the choice should be theirs.

Get the fact sheet.