June 19th, 2020 by WCBC Radio

Gov. Larry Hogan on Friday announced a plan to begin allowing limited outdoor visits to Maryland nursing homes, which have been closed to visitors since the start of the coronavirus outbreak. The plan allows for some communal dining and small group activities.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has required all of us to make incredible sacrifices, including being unable to visit family members and loved ones in nursing homes,” Hogan said in a statement. “As our state continues on the road to recovery, this Father’s Day weekend we are able to begin safely allowing outdoor visits to certain nursing homes. This is made possible by our early and aggressive actions to slow the spread of the virus, and the tremendous efforts of doctors, nurses, and especially nursing home staff across the state.”

Hogan also announced that state health officials will now require weekly coronavirus retesting of all nursing home staff. Residents will be retested weekly at facilities that continue to report new coronavirus cases acquired there.