Florida announces it will lift ban on nursing home visits

Gov. Ron DeSantis announced Tuesday that he will lift the state’s ban on visiting nursing homes that has cut off vulnerable seniors from family since mid-March over fears of spreading the new coronavirus.

With his voice cracking at times, he wondered aloud if his actions might have contributed to suffering in his state. At one point, he took a long pause to collect himself as he made his announcement during a round table in Jacksonville.

“Part of having a healthy society is understanding that human beings seek affection,” DeSantis said.

“Many of the folks understand that they have loved ones who are in the last stage of their life. They’re not demanding a medical miracle. They’re not having unrealistic expectations. They just would like to be able to say goodbye or to hug somebody, so … It was, you know …”

Then, the visibly emotional governor paused to collect himself, and silence filled the room for about 20 seconds.

“I think it’s difficult to think that some of our actions may have precipitated,” the governor said, his final word barely audible as he invited another speaker to take over.

DeSantis said he would lift the ban on visitations in an executive order later Tuesday, following recommendations from a nursing home task force that has met in recent weeks.

The governor’s order is expected to allow family members to visit their loved ones no more than two at a time, wearing protective gear including masks. Facilities would need to go 14 days without any new cases of COVID-19 among staff or residents to allow the visits.