Senator Helming Calls For Nursing Home Visits To Resume

Senator Pam Helming, today, called on Governor Cuomo and New York State Health Commissioner Howard Zucker to empower nursing homes, group homes and other long term care facilities to work with their patients and their families to facilitate in person visits where appropriate and safe. 

“Since the start of COVID-19, the State has issued countless orders and mandates, with many related to nursing homes and other long term facilities. These mandates have not protected our vulnerable populations and instead, nursing homes became Ground Zero for COVID-19 related deaths. What’s even worse, for months, nursing home residents have not been allowed to receive visits from their family members and other loved ones. Many have been forced into isolation. As we continue to safely reopen our State, it is time that nursing homes and long term care facilities take their operations back into their own hands and offer safe plans for visits to resume,” Senator Helming said.