- A positive test does not give the right to visit, but it is rather an opportunity. It is still the business manager who assesses whether the resident has an absolute need for a visit, but it may not be quite the way to interpret the new restrictions, says Camilla Johansson, head of elderly care in Jönköping municipality.

Pharmacy tests are not approved

On Tuesday, the news came that anyone who can present antibodies to covid-19 should be able to be exempted from the national ban on visiting special homes. In addition to a positive test that must not be older than six months, the person must be symptom-free and that the test has been performed at a health center.

- What we have learned is that tests from pharmacies that you buy yourself are not valid, says Johansson and continues:

- Many people may think that we open up much more than we do, but this does not mean that there are open doors to our homes.

Always an assessment

The fact that there is still a limited group that is tested for antibodies at the health center, means that the municipality of Jönköping assesses that the new reliefs in practice will not mean any major difference for the municipality's 37 homes. Each visit will continue to be assessed on a case-by-case basis. As before, visits are primarily carried out outdoors at a distance from the resident - only when this is not possible can visits indoors be relevant.

- It can, for example, be about visits at the end of life or when there is a concern in a person where we can not help in any other way.

Limited infection

Right now, the country's municipalities are updating their guidelines regarding visiting bans on nursing homes based on the National Board of Health and Welfare's general advice. At present, there are no indications of further easing of the restraining order in the coming weeks.

- I understand that this is very tough for both those who live in our homes and for their relatives, but we must continue to be careful to follow the recommendations that exist. We have a very low number of infected people in our operations and we absolutely do not want to risk that, says the head of elderly care.