LIFTING OF FEDERAL VISITATION RESTRICTIONS AND COVID-19 INFECTIONS IN NURSING HOMES - 2020 - Findings on infection rates after lifting visitation bans

Sep 28, 2026

Early in the COVID-19 pandemic, federal guidance recommended restricting visitors from nursing homes (NHs) to slow viral transmission, yet evidence on effectiveness remained limited. Using the September 2020 lifting of federal visitation limits, the study compares NH COVID-19 infection rates across states that lifted bans earlier versus those still bound to federal restrictions. Regression results show no statistically significant increase in NH infections or community-adjusted rates after lifting restrictions, with NH infection levels closely tracking community spread. The analysis also highlights physical and emotional impacts on residents and families.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages1

Reading Time3 min

AccessFree to download

Study design and policy change

Data comparison across state groups

Statistical framework and results

Regression findings on infection rates

Role of community spread

Implications for future visitation guidance

Innovation in Aging, 2025, Vol. 9, No. S2 567 Abstract citation ID: igaf122.1944 LIFTING OF FEDERAL VISITATION RESTRICTIONS AND COVID-19 INFECTIONS IN NURSING HOMES John Bowblis1, Shuang Li2, Yong-Fang Kuo3, Jennifer Heston-Mullins1, James Goodwin2, and Huiwen Xu4, 1. Miami University, Oxford, Ohio, United States, 2. UTMB Health, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, United States, 3. University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Galveston, Texas, United States, 4. Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, United States Early in the COVID-19 pandemic, the federal government recommended restricting visitors from entering nursing homes (NH) to reduce the spread of the virus. To date, there is limited evidence to suggest that visitation restrictions reduced the spread of the virus. Using the lifting of federal restrictions on visitation in September 2020, this study compared NHCOVID-19 infection rates for states that were only subject to the federal restriction on visitation bans to those that lifted their bans earlier. This statistical framework determines whether lifting visitation restrictions lead to increased infection rates, and thus visitation restrictions were effective at reducing the spread of the virus. Our regression analysis found no statistically significant increase in NH infection rates or the community-adjusted infection rates associated with the lifting of the federal visitation restrictions. NH infections rates were closely tied to community infection rate throughout the study period, suggesting that community spread was the driving factor in infections among NH residents. Visitation restrictions took a physical and emotional toll on residents and family members, and limited the ability of visitors to monitor care. Our results suggest that allowing NHs the freedom to choose whether to allow does not necessarily mean that COVID-19 infections will increase. Thus, future policies should focus on providing general guidance that allows NHs to make the decision on when visitation is or is no appropriate for their facility based on their available resources instead of implementing a universal visitation restriction.

FAQs

What policy change did the study evaluate?

The study evaluated the September 2020 lifting of federal visitation restrictions for nursing homes, comparing outcomes in states lifted earlier versus states subject only to the federal visitation bans.

Did lifting visitation restrictions increase COVID-19 infections in nursing homes?

No. Regression analysis found no statistically significant increase in nursing home infection rates or community-adjusted infection rates associated with lifting the federal visitation restrictions.

What factor best explained infection rates among nursing home residents?

Nursing home infection rates closely tracked community infection rates during the study period, indicating community transmission was the key driver of infections among nursing home residents.

Sep 28, 2026

Uploaded by Blue Pony