New York is relaxing its twice-a-week testing mandate for nursing home workers in certain parts of the state.
State health officials announced the move earlier this week, saying that providers — in areas of the state that are moving into the second phase of its reopening plan — will now only be required to test workers once a week.
Officials added that falling infection rates supports the move for less rigorous testing for some areas of the states. The twice-a-week testing mandate will remain in place for providers in New York City, the Associated Press reported.
“While some called this mandate unnecessary, these test results have identified thousands of positive cases of those who may have otherwise spread the virus to vulnerable residents,” State Health Commissioner Howard Zucker said.
After Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) issued the mandate in May, New York providers expressed concern that the testing mandate would be hard to comply with without assistance from the state, citing costs of and the availability tests. Nursing home operators have been butting heads with insurers over who should cover COVID-19 testing costs for workers.
