Seminole County webinar asks assisted living facilities not to stop first responders from entering building during emergency

SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. — A webinar in Seminole County on Monday afternoon was focused on assisted living facilities, and how to stop the spread of the coronavirus from hitting our most vulnerable residents.

What was supposed to be a face-to-face workshop for assisted living facilities and nursing home operators turned into a small roundtable webinar “to make sure they are being provided the proper guidance from our health department from our office about how they can reach out and get resources," Steven Lerner, senior planner for Seminole County Office of Emergency Management, said during the webinar.

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Gov. Ron DeSantis announced Sunday a moratorium on visitors excluding first responders such as firefighters, paramedics and law enforcement. However, county officials said some of them have been denied entry.

Lerner asked facility administrators to make sure front-desk employees and staff knew they should not be denied access when crucial seconds count.

“Let me be very clear that we will not accept that, and that we will come to our facility and forego the screening process, if it means to save a life in your facility,” Lerner said.

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There is a questionnaire for people to fill out to enter a nursing home that basically states, people can’t enter if they have traveled anywhere, and they are discouraging residents from leaving the facilities to prevent the coronavirus from getting in.

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