The following answer was provided by CMS on April 24, 2020 in QSO-20-28-NH:
Residents are not forced to eat in their rooms. Residents may still eat in dining rooms, however, nursing homes should adhere to social distancing, such as being seated at separate tables at least six feet apart. We note that social distancing should be practiced at all times (not just while dining). We further note that eating in dining areas with appropriate social distancing only applies to residents without signs or symptoms of a respiratory infection, and without a confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19. Facilities should refer to CDC guidelines for managing residents with signs or symptoms of a respiratory illness.
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