Pilot Program to Allow Family Visits in New York Hospitals

by CrownHeights.info

Another positive change in the State handling of the COVID-19 pandemic came in the announcement of a two week pilot program allowing family members to visit loved ones while they remain in certain hospitals.

The limited program includes hospitals frequented by the Orthodox Jewish population, including Maimonides Hospital in Brooklyn and the NYU Langone Orthopedics Hospital in Manhattan.

Those allowed inside the hospitals would be required to wear personal protective equipment, and be subject to health screenings.

This program begins the rollback of a March 18th order that New York Governor Andrew Cuomo and Health Commissioner Dr. Howard Zucker enacted barring visitors from hospitals.

Assemblyman Eichenstein noted that, “I have advocated and will continue to advocate for this no-visitors policy to be revisited in it’s entirety until we achieve a level of access that patients and families are comfortable with. While it’s extremely unfortunate so many patients did not have a family member by their side at their most vulnerable time over these last two months, I am glad and grateful that Governor Cuomo has finally heard our call and is taking a first step by implementing this pilot program in which family members will now be allowed limited visitation at specific hospitals. I believe this expansion will also greatly enhance many patient’s chances for a full recovery – implementing safety measures that will offer immeasurable comfort to the patients and their family members.”