Starting July 15th, New York State will allow some nursing homes and long-term care facilities that meet requirements to accept visitors for residents.

“It’s been an answered prayer. I’ve been praying for God to open the door, because, in the beginning, we had no idea how long this was going to be,” said Deborah LaBello of Rochester.

Four months have passed since Deborah LaBello last saw her mother in person, but new guidance from the state is giving her a reason to be excited.

LaBello said she was excited to hear the news, but realized visiting her mother may not be that simple.

Guidance from the state health department says a facility has to be COVID-19 free for at least 28 days, which is the standard set by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

Deborah’s mother is at St. Ann's Care Center. The skilled nursing facility released a statement saying the earliest it could open for visitation is on July 15th.

Democratic Lieutenant Governor, Kathy Hochul said

“All of the precautions that are going to be taken, we believe that it’ll be able to protect these individuals and strike the right balance of understanding that every human needs to connect with your loved one,” said Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul.

For each facility, only one in every 10 residents will be allowed visitors at any given time.

Residents will be allowed only two visitors at a time, and visitors must have their temperature checked, wear a face mask, and social distance during the visit.

“The whole thing is it’s still going to have to be six feet apart. How do you do that? How do you do that when you’re missing your loved one so much? It’s about touch, loving, to feel, to help them feel secure…the elderly,” LaBello said.

Once visitation is allowed, LaBello believes it will help with her mother’s recovery.

When that moment comes, LaBello’s first goal is to make her mom laugh by dancing.

“She’s always telling me I’m crazy. It puts a smile on her face,” said LaBello.

People are encouraged to call the long-term care facility or nursing home directly to find out if it is cleared to accept visitors.