Inmates in Washington prisons now can make two five-minute phone calls each week at no charge, as the state Department of Corrections has banned visits from friends and relatives to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus.

The DOC announced the changes Friday, saying it had worked with its phone vendor, GTL, and another contractor, JPay, to improve prisoners’ communication channels during the moratorium on in-person visits.

“While we know this is not the same as seeing friends and family in person, we hope that it helps alleviate some of the concerns regarding visitation being suspended at this time,” DOC Secretary Steve Sinclair said in a statement. “We’ll be reviewing visitation, programming and other suspended activities as this situation evolves.”

The DOC said the twice-a-week phone calls will remain free at least through April 14. Through JPay, the agency is giving inmates free and reduced-cost video communications and two free “stamps,” or credits, which inmates can use to pay for emails.

Spokane County also was working with GTL this week to give inmates free phone calls from the downtown jail and the Geiger Corrections Center.