PITTSFORD, N.Y. — More nursing homes and assisted living centers are opening back up as COVID-19 cases continue to plummet.

Assisted living at Laurelwood opened its doors for the first time in a year Tuesday.

Families finally visited their loved ones in person again.

Last month, the state allowed nursing homes visitations to resume under new guidelines.

Before this, friends and family had to visit their loved ones virtually or outside.

Both residents and loved ones say they're happy to have a sense of normalcy again.

"I mean it was fantastic,” said resident Maxine Muller. “It's great. You can visit and do whatever."

"I can't imagine the morale boost that it's gonna be for Nora and all the other residents who haven't been able to be this close,” said Julie McCarthy of Ontario. “It's a game changer I think."

Laurelwood says it hopes in-person visitations will be the light at the end of the tunnel for its residents during the pandemic.