(East Farmingdale, NY)- After a year of being kept apart by COVID rules, soon families on Long Island can reunite with their loved ones staying at nursing homes. Starting on Friday, February 26th, nursing homes in New York State will be allowed to have visitors. Testing will be encouraged but not required if the county’s rate is below five percent. Above five percent, a negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours will be needed for the visit. The seven day rolling average on long island is now just now at 4.3%. Read more about the state’s guidelines, here.
Photo: Judie Shape, center, who has tested positive for the coronavirus, blows a kiss to her son-in-law, Michael Spencer, left, as Shape’s daughter, Lori Spencer, right, looks on, Wednesday, March 11, 2020, as they visit on the phone and look at each other through a window at the Life Care Center in Kirkland, Wash., near Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)