Families across New York City are
now able to reunite with their loved ones at nursing homes with fewer
restrictions.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo says facilities no longer have to be
COVID-free for 14 days before allowing visitors, and visitors are allowed at
all times.
Restrictions for visitations are in
place for residents that are unvaccinated in areas of high community spread,
residents who have the coronavirus or those in quarantine or isolation.
Visitors do not need to be tested or have gotten a coronavirus vaccine before
visiting nursing home residents.
Many of the restrictions were put in place around a year
ago.
The announcement from the governor comes amid allegations
that he is partially to blame for many of the coronavirus deaths inside nursing
homes.
The governor is accused of putting patients sick with the
coronavirus into nursing homes, and undercounting the amount of deaths that
occurred in nursing homes.
On Thursday, a memorial was held in Foley Square to honor
the more than 15,000 nursing home residents who died from COVID-19 in New York.
Many New Yorkers in attendance say they want State
Comptroller Tom DiNapoli to use his authority, or refer State Attorney General
Letitia James in investigating Cuomo for nursing home deaths.
They also called for the governor’s resignation, saying they
want justice for their loved ones.