NEW YORK(WCBS 880) -- Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont signed an executive order Wednesday mandating that all nursing homes require visitors be vaccinated against COVID-19, or provide a negative test.
The order mandates that nursing home visitors provide proof of full vaccination, which includes a booster if approved under FDA guidance.
Otherwise, visitors must bring paper or electronic proof of a negative COVID test from a rapid test within 48 hours or a PCR test within 72 hours.
The other options provided is to take a rapid antigen test at the nursing home, if available. The state is due to distribute 50,000 of such tests to state facilities beginning Friday.
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“We know that some of the people who are most vulnerable to the impacts of COVID-19 include those who live in nursing homes, which is why we need to be doing everything we can to protect them from this virus,” Lamont said. “This is one more precaution we can implement at these facilities to keep them safe.”
The order said nursing homes have to deny entrance to those who test positive for COVID-19 or refuse to take rapid test. It also said it cannot deny entry to visitors who would take a rapid test, but cannot because the home can’t provide one.
The order takes effect Saturday, Jan. 22.
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy announced Wednesday that health care workers and those who work in high-risk congregant settings will be required to get a COVID-19 booster shot once they are eligible or risk losing their jobs.
All NJ health care workers must be fully vaccinated by Feb. 28. Workers in high-risk congregant settings, such as nursing homes, group homes and jails, will have until March 30 to get their second shot.
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