Massachusetts officials reject groups’ call to keep mask mandate after PHE expires
By
Kimberly Bonvissuto
Apr 10, 2023
Plans to drop a mask mandate in healthcare settings — including residential care facilities — next month are moving forward in Massachusetts, despite outcries from some health professionals and organizations...
State lawmakers take action on COVID-19-related liability, vaccination legislation
By
Kathleen Steele Gaivin
Dec 02, 2021
More COVID-19-related legislation is working its way through state legislat
Survey highlights ‘urgent need’ for staffing in assisted living, skilled nursing
By
Kimberly Bonvissuto
Sep 30, 2021
A workforce-focused survey of Texas assisted living community and nursing home providers highlights the “urgent need” for state lawmakers to address severe workforce shortages in long-term care.
Ohio drops assisted living staff testing requirement; Florida ends all pandemic restrictions
By
Kimberly Bonvissuto
May 05, 2021
Fully vaccinated assisted living staff in Ohio now are exempt from routine COVID-19 testing, according to a new Ohio Department of Health order.
Oregon law may prevent operators from mandating COVID vaccines for some workers; Colorado mandates testing...
By
Kimberly Bonvissuto
Jul 27, 2021
Although national long-term care and healthcare groups are backing mandatory COVID-19 vaccination for workers, a 32-year-old law might prevent some operators in one state from moving forward on that front....
Operators see victory in amendment to bill that would have prohibited them from asking staff about vaccine...
By
Kimberly Bonvissuto
May 03, 2021
A bill under consideration in Montana, which would prohibit employers from asking about and creating protocols related to an individual’s vaccination status, would exempt assisted living communities...
New, tighter COVID-19 rules coming for Oregon
Aug 11, 2021
New rules in Oregon come as battles over masks rage in some other states.
Still no mandate, but Pennsylvania wants 80 percent of SNF workers vaccinated by October
By
Kathleen Steele Gaivin
Aug 16, 2021
Although Pennsylvania has not mandated COVID-19 vaccines for healthcare workers, the state’s public health officials announced Thursday a goal to have at least 80% of the skilled nursing facility staff...
California to lift indoor mask rule for vaccinated
Feb 08, 2022
But both vaccinated and unvaccinated people will be required to wear masks in high-risk settings, such as congregate living facilities.
California brings back indoor mask mandate
Dec 14, 2021
The order was triggered by a 47% spike in the state’s per-capita rate of new COVID-19 cases during the past two weeks.