“As we continue the phased reopening of the state, it seems only fair that we look to find safe ways to allow individuals the opportunity to visit with their family members, face-to-face, in our hospitals and our nursing homes. Hospitals and nursing home facilities have been thoroughly conscientious in creating policies to screen individuals entering their buildings and have done their best to comply with testing mandates, despite no financial help to do so. They have also been committed to finding creative ways to help their patients and residents stay in contact with those they love. While I am encouraged that the New York State Department of Health implemented a hospital visitation pilot plan, it is now time to expand the program to more hospitals and include nursing homes in that discussion.

“New Yorkers, and particularly North Country residents, have and continue to do their part to flatten the curve and have stayed home to protect those most vulnerable. We cannot ignore the sacrifices that patients, nursing home residents, and their loved ones have made during this pandemic, and we must find a way to safely allow them to reunite. I am calling on the Executive to work with our health professionals to implement visitation policies that bring together families while simultaneously protecting their health.”