AUSTIN – Governor Greg Abbott and the Texas Health and Human Services Commission announced $3.5 million in federal funding on Friday for nursing facilities to purchase plexiglass barriers and tents to allow for safe visitation during the COVID-19 pandemic. Nursing facilities may apply for this funding through HHSC beginning October 5.
“As we open nursing facilities to essential caregivers and visitors, the State of Texas is working to protect the health and safety of both residents and their families,” said Governor Abbott. “With this funding, we will help keep nursing facility residents and their families safe while ensuring that residents can be with their loved ones and receive the support they need.”
Nursing facilities that complete an application and are approved by Texas HHSC can receive up to $3,000 per facility to purchase the plexiglass barriers and tents to help facilitate in-person visits for residents. The tents can be used for outdoor visitation and screening of visitors before they enter a facility. The plexiglass barriers can be used for indoor visits with residents for nursing facilities in counties with a COVID-19 positivity rate of less than 10 percent, per federal direction. People can have in-person visitation with their loved ones under the agency’s new expanded visitation rules, which apply statewide.
For more details on how to apply for funding, visit the Texas HHS website.
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