Late Wednesday night, the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) posted guidance for outdoor visitation at long-term care facilities. In response, Senator Karin Housley (R-St. Marys Point), chair of the Senate Family Care and Aging Committee, issued the following statement:

“I am pleased to see MDH finally take some action on visitation in long-term care settings, where residents have gone without visitors and outside contact for more than four months. The lockdown has unquestionably taken a significant toll on the physical, mental, and emotional health of our seniors—many of whom have diminished mental capacity that makes it difficult for them to understand what is happening.

“However, I was hoping to see a more thorough plan that included a framework for in-person visits. I remain deeply concerned about individuals whose health prevents them from being moved outdoors and I urge the department to consider implementing guidance for indoor visits, perhaps for end-of-life and other compassionate means. In fact, many other states are already taking a more proactive approach. In Massachusetts, in-person visits to long-term care facilities resumed this week. In Missouri, outdoor visits have been allowed for more than a week, and indoor visits will begin soon. Arkansas will allow limited indoor visits beginning on July 1. In North Dakota, indoor visits have been permitted since the beginning of June.

“I will continue to aggressively exercise my oversight authority on this administration’s response to long-term care.”

Senator Karin Housley represents Forest Lake, Stillwater, and the surrounding St. Croix Valley in the Minnesota Senate. She serves as chair of the Senate Family Care and Aging Committee and is an assistant majority leader.