The Minnesota Department of Health today released new guidance for long-term care facilities to use in designating family members or others to serve as essential caregivers for residents of nursing homes and other assisted living facilities. Since mid-March, visitor restrictions have been in place in long-term care settings to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Under the new guidance, providers must talk to residents about their wishes to determine whom to designate as an essential caregiver, and facilities should establish policies for identifying and using essential caregivers no later than July 25th. The guidelines also require caregivers to sign in and be screened prior to entering the building, just like facility staff. Caregivers must frequently wash their hands and use hand sanitizer and wear all necessary personal protective equipment while in the building.