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After nearly seven months of restricted access, Troy Regional Medical Center will once again allow limited visitation with patients.

The new visitation policy, released on Friday, comes on the heels of directives from Gov. Kay Ivey and State Health Officer Dr. Scott Harris earlier this week. During a press conference in which she extended the mask ordinance, Ivey also loosened restrictions on patient visitors in both hospitals and nursing homes.

Rick Smith, CEO of Troy Regional Medical Center, said Friday the new guidance is a welcome one for patients and staff.

“It takes an emotional toll on our team as well as the community to not allow them to see their mother, their father or grandparents (in the hospital),” he said.

TRMC prohibited hospital visitors in March in an effort to protect patients and staff, as well as ensure resources were available for the medical staff and treatment of patients. For nearly seven months, visitors have been allowed only for compassionate care or end-of-life situations.

Now, one primary caregiver will be allowed to visit with non-COVID patients during certain times at the hospital. Visitors are limited to one per patient, and visitors are required to wear masks and remain in the patient’s room. All visitors will continue to be screened and can be denied access if symptomatic.

The policy allows for one caregiver for emergency department patients as well as outpatient surgery patients. Senior Behavioral Care visitation will be addressed on a case-by-case basis.

The hospital lobby will be open from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily, and visitors will be required to be screened at the front desk. The emergency room remains open 24 hours.

At Troy Health and Rehab, visitation began again this week following guidelines from the Alabama Nursing Home Association.

“We are scheduling outside visitation with masks and social distancing,” said Warren Kelly, administrator.

The nursing home administration set guidelines for limited indoors visitation, including no new onset cases of COVID-19 in the facility in the last 14 days and no current outbreak testing.