Blog Post

New RIDOH Visitor Policy

Dear Families of Residents at The Cove and The Willows:

Yesterday, Governor Dan McKee signed a RI Department of Health (RIDOH) regulation that changes the visitation policy at all RI long-term care facilities, including Assisted Living facilities.

Effective today, all visitors and essential caregivers entering The Cove or The Willows must either:

1. Provide proof of vaccination against COVID-19, or
2. Provide paper or electronic proof of a negative COVID-19 test result from either:
   1. a rapid test completed at home within the previous 48 hours of the visit; or
   2. A PCR test completed within the previous 72 hours.

The RIDOH’s regulation further states that, regardless of vaccination status, all visitors and essential caregivers must be masked at all times until exiting the premises.

Grace Barker Health staff will check proof of visitor vaccination status at the main entrances of The Cove and The Willows. Proof can be in the form of the actual vaccine card, a paper photocopy, a photo on your mobile phone, or an image within an e-wallet-style digital app on a phone or tablet. For the convenience of frequent visitors, we will keep note of your proof on file so that you don’t have to show it over again.

For the complete regulation, visit the RI Secretary of State’s website at this link: https://rules.sos.ri.gov/regulations/Part/216-40-10-27. If you have any comments, concerns or questions about this new regulation, you may call the RIDOH Complaint Unit hotline directly at 401-222-5200.

As healthcare providers, we thank you for getting vaccinated to reduce community spread of the coronavirus and to help put a stop to the virus finding its next host. Our priority is to keep all of our residents, staff and visitors safe, and we sincerely appreciate your continued understanding and personal responsibility in this goal as well.

Sincerely,

Mark Lescault, Administrator
Benjamin Lescault, Assistant Administrator
Mary Beth Lescault, Director of Nursing Services