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Gov. Greg Abbott relaxed state visitation to nursing homes, assisted living and other long-term facilities. The new visitation rules .
Since March, many families have been unable to visit their loved ones who live in group care facilities, to keep the coronavirus from spreading. In August, the rules were relaxed to allow visitors to facilities that did not have anyone who had tested positive for COVID-19.
The new that go into effect this week allow visitors whether there are active cases inside or not. The new rules allow two 鈥渆ssential family caregivers鈥� to be permitted inside a nursing home resident鈥檚 room. These 鈥渃aregivers鈥� are not required to maintain physical distancing. But they also must also test negative for the virus two weeks before the visit.
Brian Lee, executive director of nursing home advocacy organization , says the new rules will help families.
鈥淚 think there's a lot of anger and angst out there among families to see their loved ones,鈥� Lee said.
But he said the lack of a tougher testing requirement could put more people at risk.
鈥淭here aren鈥檛 enough precautionary measures to keep people safe in our opinion,鈥� Lee said.
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