Visitors have been given the green light to return to nursing homes and long-term care facilities on a limited basis.
Dr. Howard Zucker, commissioner of the New York State Department of Health, has announced that facilities are authorized to begin limited visitation if they have not had a Covid-19 infection for at least 28 days.
Guests who wish to visit must undergo a temperature check, wear face coverings, and socially distance for the duration of the visit, according to the announcement. Two visitors per resident will be permitted at a time, one of whom must be at least 18.
For each individual facility, only 10 percent of residents will be allowed to have visitors per day in order to ensure the safety of others.
Dr. Zucker also said on-site visitation for New York State's long-term care ombudsman program can resume. The ombudsman program protects the rights of long-term care residents and ensures that their quality of life is preserved. Ombudsman advocates have to wear masks and other protective equipment for the entirety of their visits, and must present a negative Covid-19 test result prior to arriving.
New York has made much progress in overcoming the Covid-19 pandemic, but it is not over, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo said on Twitter. "Wear a mask, New York. Don't let our hard-won progress be reversed."
