Nick Reisman is reporting for State of Politics New York officials March 25, announced new guidelines for nursing home visitation statewide in a move to align with federal guidelines. The announcement comes as state lawmakers have pushed for Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo to sign a bill revising nursing home visitation rules. The new guidance announced by Cuomo and Health Commissioner Howard Zucker will permit visitation at all times and for all residents. There will be limited exceptions for unvaccinated residents in places where there is high community spread and lower resident vaccination rates. Limits would also be placed on residents who have COVID-19 or on those in quarantine. The new guidance will replace February 23 rules requiring nursing homes to be COVID-19 free for two weeks. Nursing home residents were among the first people to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Positive cases have decreased by 80 percent since January in nursing facilities. State officials are encouraging visitors to be tested prior to seeing a loved one. The changes come one year to the day after the controversial and since-rescinded guidance by the state that nursing homes not turn away COVID-positive patients. Read the full story at nystateofpolitics [dot] com.