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Dear Administrator Letter NH-21-01 Nursing Home Staff Testing Requirements

On January 4, 2021, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo signed Executive Order 202.88, to require all nursing homes to test personnel for COVID-19 as directed by the Commissioner of Health. Operators and administrators of all nursing homes are required to test or arrange for the testing of all personnel, including all employees, contract staff, medical staff, operators and administrators, for COVID-19 twice per week in all nursing homes. Each nursing home will have 7 days from the date of this notice to be in full compliance with this directive and must continue to comply with all prior applicable directives and guidance. To facilitate the increased testing of nursing home staff in New York State, the New York State Department of Health will begin distributing Abbott BinaxNow COVID-19 antigen tests directly to nursing homes. These tests are to be used to perform a second weekly test of all staff. Please be advised that any nursing home that fails to comply with this directive may be subject to a penalty of $2,000 per violation per day, and $10,000 per violation per day for any subsequent violations. Additionally, the Department may suspend or revoke such facilities operating certificate, and a receiver appointed to continue operations on 24 hours’ notice. See DAL attached.

NYSHFA/NYSCAL CONTACTS:

Tarrah Quinlan, RN, BSN
Director of Education Program Development and Member Operations
518-462-4800 x20

Lisa Volk, RN, B.P.S., LNHA
Director, Clinical & Quality Services
518-462-4800 x15