Visits to Homes for the Aged by Appointment Only Until Jan. 15

The Queen Louise Home for the Aged on St. Thomas. (Photo courtesy of the Office of Disaster Recovery)

The V.I. Human Services Department’s Division of Senior Citizens Affairs announced Friday that from now until Jan. 15 there will be limited in-person visitation with the senior residents for the holidays at the Herbert Grigg Home for the Aged on St. Croix and the Queen Louise Home for the Aged on St. Thomas.

Visitation will occur seven days a week, from 1 to 4 p.m., by appointment only, the press release stated. Appointment times will range from half an hour to one hour with each resident. Visitors will be required to present a negative COVID-19 test, from a certified laboratory or clinic, within 72 hours of their appointment to the nurse in charge prior to entering the homes, it said.

Both homes for the aged are currently maintaining their indoor mask-only policies, according to the release.

The Human Services Department’s Division of Senior Citizens Affairs has followed all protocols and guidance of the V.I. Health Department and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to provide the safest environment for its seniors in its homes and senior clients in the community, the release stated.

DHS will continue to monitor the territory’s progress during the coming weeks as well as the COVID positivity rates presented by the Health Department and updates from CDC to amend its policies and procedures on facility visitation at both homes, it said.

“We would like to thank our families, members of the clergy, the community groups, non-profit agencies, and individuals for their support of the homes for the aged during the height of the pandemic and thereafter,” the release stated.

For visitation appointments, contact the Herbert Grigg Home for the Aged, St. Croix Nurse’s Station, at 340-778-0708, and the Queen Louise Home for the Aged, St. Thomas, at 340-774-1222.

Visit the Department of Human Services website for more information.