In his briefing today, Governor Cuomo announced that the Department of Health will soon update its guidance to resume nursing home visitations. The Governor said the Department of Health will recommend rapid testing for visitors and will supply nursing homes with the tests.

“Families have been fighting for months – and I have proudly fought with them – to resume visitation in our nursing homes,” said Senator Helming. “We still need to see the exact guidance, and I am hopeful it will be both safe and practical for our families and local facilities. Today, I can finally tell my constituents that they are closer to seeing their moms, dads, grandparents and family members. To all these families, I thank you for raising your voices and fighting so hard for your loved ones.”

Senator Helming has been calling for a return to safe visitation for several months, and as recently as last week, when she pressed the state to update families on when visitation could resume given the progress of resident vaccinations.

“More than 15,000 nursing home and long-term care residents have died from COVID-19,” Senator Helming added. “Our seniors have been devastated by this pandemic and the significant health impacts of ongoing isolation from their families. I will continue to fight for them and their families, and for our hardworking nursing home staff and caregivers.”