As the coronavirus lockdown loosens in Massachusetts, seniors in Dartmouth and all over the state are starting to receive visits from family and friends again — with a twist.

Governor Charlie Baker announced that outdoor-only visits at nursing homes and assisted living facilities could resume as early as June 3.

But many Dartmouth facilities waited to start scheduling visitor appointments until this week to ensure that safety guidelines are properly implemented. 

The pandemic-proof, socially distanced outdoor or “window” visits — in which residents remain inside and chat to visitors through a screened window — are meant to prevent the spread of the virus among seniors, who are more vulnerable to Covid-19.

Even the elderly residents of Brandon Woods nursing home in Bliss Corner, one of the hardest-hit by the virus, are starting to receive visitors again.

“This is exciting,” noted Brandon Woods parent company Essex Management CEO Frank Romano of the visits. “It’s absolutely fantastic. Residents feel like they’ve been locked up for three months, so it’s great that it’s happening!”

After an outbreak at the facility that left 22 residents dead, Romano said that there are now no Covid-19 cases at Brandon Woods. 

“I’m very happy with that,” he said. “We’re still testing every week through the Broad Institute, and we’ll have to see what happens in the fall...For us it’s been an unbelievable learning experience.”

He noted that cases in certain communities are still on the rise, so we’re not out of the woods yet. “It’s gonna be a challenge for every senior community,” he said. “We are so susceptible to any visitor who might be asymptomatic, and that’s something we have to guard against.”

Meanwhile Autumn Glen assisted living facility on Cross Road opened for their first day of outdoor scheduled visits on June 15.

“We’re just really excited to welcome our families back to Autumn Glen,” said Jennifer Hastings, Vice President of Marketing at parent company Northbridge. “And I know our residents are really excited to see their family members for the first time since March.”

Visitors will be screened for temperature and Covid contacts and asked to bring face coverings and maintain six feet of social distance during the visits, Hastings noted.

She said there has already been a lot of interest in scheduling appointments.

And although state guidelines were lifted on June 3, the company wanted to make sure all of the proper procedures and safety guidelines were put in place, with extra training for associates. “We have actually been planning for this for quite some time,” she said. “It was quite a process, but we all want to make sure everyone is safe. Families were very accepting and understanding of that.”

Cedar Dell on Old Westport Road is also starting limited widow visits as well as outdoor ‘porch’ visits, said spokesperson Ted Doyle.

“Family members can meet with their loved ones,” he said. “It’s a nice change for everybody.”

Coronavirus has struck senior communities hard not just because they house vulnerable populations, Doyle said, but also because of the social isolation measures required to keep everyone safe.

“We’re in the business of saving people from isolation, and now we’re having to enforce isolation,” he said. “So we’re really happy to be moving in this direction...This is such a positive step forward.”