Nearly a year after nursing homes were shut down due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid updated its guidance on indoor visits.

David Voepel is the CEO of the Arizona Health Care Association. His organization represents the state’s 148 skilled nursing facilities, which are regulated by Centers for Medicare and Medicaid.

“Facilities are now allowed to have responsible indoor visitation at all times and for all residents pretty much regardless of vaccination status of the resident and visitor unless the county positivity rate is greater than 10% and the 70% of the residents are fully vaccinated.”

The revised guidance comes as COVID-19 cases and deaths among nursing home residents have dropped in recent weeks.

Dana Kennedy with AARP Arizona said “this is the best news for families and residents.”

Arizona has allowed visits under certain circumstances since September.

The revised guidance does not impact the roughly 2,500 assisted living facilities in the state.

→ Get The Latest News On COVID-19 In Arizona