No visits to seniors' homes for 'some time'

Visits to seniors' homes across the city will continue to be suspended for some time to prevent coronavirus infection, Shanghai's civil affairs authorities announced on Sunday. 

Delivery workers will also not be allowed in, Jiang Rui, deputy director of the Shanghai Civil Affairs Bureau, told a press conference on Sunday. 

Senior homes are banned from recruiting new staff and taking in new residents during the epidemic, according to the bureau. 

"Although the doors of senior homes are closed, communication channels between seniors and their relatives are open," said Jiang. "To ease their concerns, we have enhanced counseling."

Workers at senior homes also keep close contact with families of seniors by phone and online channels and keep them informed in real time. 

"Activities such as baking, flower arranging and DIY are being conducted to fill in the time. Individual meal demand is satisfied and their medicine is overseen by senior home workers," she added.