Across the country, for the most part, family members have been unable to visit their loved one in a long-term care facility for months amid the novel coronavirus pandemic.
As the country gradually reopens, that includes nursing homes. However, per White House guidelines, nursing home facilities should be among the last in the country to reopen their doors to visitors.
"I think people are desperate to be reunited with their loved ones," said Seema Verma, administrator for Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).
Verma says the guidelines released by the Trump Administration call for a phased approach to reopening.
The guidelines call for testing in every facility before visitors can visit a loved one. That includes testing of all staff and residents. Verma wants the tests to be done weekly for all staff.
"We are asking for nursing homes to work with their local and state officials to do a baseline of testing," Verma said.
Testing, however, has been an issue throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. E.W. Scripps Washington Correspondent Joe St. George asked Verma what she is doing to ensure nursing homes have access to tests.
VIDEO: The White House has called for nursing homes to reopen gradually -- and only if they can test staff once a week. I ask @SeemaCMS whether her department will be working with nursing homes to get access to proper testing. Many are struggling for access. #COVID19 pic.twitter.com/j4UV9ftpRh
— Joe St. George (@JoeStGeorge) May 19, 2020
"We feel very comfortable that the nation is prepared to do that testing of our nursing homes," Verma said.
Verma says state and local officials will need to work with nursing homes in their state to fiigure out what their testing plan will look like.
Other requirements for nursing homes to reopen include proper access to personal protective equipment (PPE).
The White House says nursing homes hit hard by the virus should be inspected by the state before reopening, while also saying they should be among the last to reopen in their community.
Face coverings for all visitors inside the facilities are recommended.
As for a timeline? Verma said it depends on the individual community.
"It's going to depend on the situation on the ground. It could be anywhere between a month to six weeks," Verma said.
VIDEO: When will nursing homes re-open to visitors? White House has issued guidance which includes proper testing for residents and staff and proper PPE supply. I spoke with Trump's CMS Administrator Seema Verma @SeemaCMS about timeline. #COVID19 pic.twitter.com/1N3uyPgoBf
— Joe St. George (@JoeStGeorge) May 19, 2020