ROCK SPRINGS — It’s been about three weeks since the Deer Trail Assisted Living facility reopened its doors to visitors. Like other assisted-living facilities across the country, Deer Trail had ceased visitation due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

As Wyomingites continue to receive the vaccine and the virus appears to be slowing down, businesses and other facilities, like Deer Trail, are starting the slow return to normal.

For Deer Trail Executive Director Jeff Smith, the reopening of the facility is something worth celebrating.

“It’s been really nice to have family and friends back in to visit with folks,” Smith said.

While visitation is opening up, visitors still have to follow some guidelines even though all of Deer Trail’s residents have been fully vaccinated.

Visitation Guidelines

• Fully vaccinated guests may visit with residents without masks or physical distancing in resident apartments. Hugs are allowed.
• All visitors will wear a mask and practice physical distancing when in the common areas of Deer Trail.
• Unvaccinated guests must wear a mask and practice physical distancing at all times.
• Visitors are not allowed in the dining room during meals.

Even though the facility has been reopened to visitors for a few weeks, Smith said they are averaging about 15 to 20 visitors a day which is significantly lower than what they have seen in the past. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, on average the facility would see 40 to 50 visitors a day.

“We certainly haven’t been overwhelmed,” Smith said.

As conditions continue to improve, Smith said the facility has already started bringing back some of its regular activities and will be bringing even more back. Some of the activities already taking place include painting, balloon volleyball and parachute games. They also had a special visit from the EIO Band already.

For more in-depth information on visitation procedures, read the letter below.