The New York Department of Health is relaxing nursing home rules, nixing three guidelines, including the requirement for visitors to test negative for COVID-19 before entering a facility, The Daily News reported March 19.
The update also removed the requirements for facilities to check visitors' temperatures or make them fill out a symptom screening questionnaire. However, the guidelines say nursing homes should continue to require masks for staff and visitors, and facilities that want to continue testing and screening can do so.
The updated guidelines align more with the guidance issued by CMS.
"For those who call these facilities home, this new guidance supports our effort to make visitation more accommodating, while keeping residents and staff safe," the health department said in a news release shared with Daily News.