ALBANY, N.Y. (WKBW) — The New York State Department of Health has revised its guidelines on nursing home visitation, shortening the length of time a facility must go without a COVID-19 positive test.
Starting Thursday, September 17, facilities that have gone 14 days without a COVID-19 case will be able to resume limited visitation. The previous guidelines required 28 days without COVID-19.
Under the new guidelines, 500 of the state's 613 nursing homes will be able to resume limited visitation.
However, there are also requirements of visitors before they are allowed to enter a facility. Starting on Thursday, visitors will be required to show a "verified negative test result" within the last seven days in order to visit a loved one at a nursing home eligible for limited visitation. Visitors must pass screening questions and present no COVID-19 symptoms. They will be required to undergo a temperature check, wear a mask and socially distance while inside the facility.
Residents are limited to two visitors at a time.
Nursing homes accepting visitors must send their visitation plan to the New York State Department of Health and affirm they are following the guidelines.
The full guidelines for nursing home visitation are available here.
