Pittsburgh's Jewish Association on Aging will hold in-person Mother's Day visits through windows

Mother’s Day visits amid coronavirus restrictions at nursing and personal care homes will be possible at the Jewish Association on Aging facilities in Pittsburgh.

There’s no hugging, though.

The in-person Mother’s Day visits at Charles Morris Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Weinberg Terrace and Weinberg Village will be held through plexiglass windows. Visitors will be on one side of the window and mothers will be on the other. Visitors and residents will be required to wear facial coverings.

“Due to the vulnerability of our residents, the opportunity to visit in person is a carefully structured event to assure the safety for our residents, our staff and visiting families,” officials said in a statement.

Visits will take place Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to noon and 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. They will be by appointment only. Officials ask that visitors avoid any last-minute changes.

The Charles Morris window visits will be available at two locations on the JAA campus in Squirrel Hill. One will be at the entrance to the Winter Garden and the other will be on the nearby patio.

Mothers will be inside the building and visitors will be outside. They will be able to see and speak to each other through the barrier, but no physical contact is allowed.

“Everyone at JAA wants your first visit after all these weeks to be incredibly special and uplifting for you and your mother,” officials said. “While our rules and stipulations may seem strict, they are in place to keep everyone safe. No matter the circumstance, health and safety remain our number one priority.”

Staff members will direct visitors to the parking area and to their designated meeting location, which will be pre-selected. Visitors will learn which area they will meet their mothers at when they arrive.

Staffers will supervise the visits to make sure guidelines are being maintained. The visiting areas will be cleaned between visits.

Visitors are asked to arrive no earlier than 10 minutes before their designated visit time.

Each visit will take place on the hour or half hour. They will be no longer than 20 minutes to accommodate the total number of visitors. Opportunities will be limited to two families, one at each location, for each time slot.

No exceptions will be made for people arriving late. Their visit will be limited to the scheduled time.

“We will do our very best to accommodate everyone’s needs but be aware that you might not be given your first choice of a visitation time,” officials said.

The following safety precautions and guidelines will be enforced:

· One visit only per resident

· One visit this weekend only per family is available

· A limit of two family members per resident visit

· Social distancing maintained at all times

· No physical contact (hugging, etc.)

· No packages can be exchanged on this visit; flowers or candy deliveries can be mailed as usual

· Facial covering (mask, scarf, bandana, etc.) must be worn by both visitors and residents

· No children under the age of 10 are permitted