Sen. Kissel Questions Latest Nursing Homes Executive Order

For Immediate Release:

Sen. Kissel Questions Latest Nursing Homes Executive Order

Sen. John A. Kissel today raised questions about the governor’s Executive Order 14 F, which directs all nursing homes in Connecticut to require visitors to either show proof that they have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or have recently tested negative for the virus in order to enter the facilities.

“This latest order is an admission,” Sen. Kissel said. “It is an admission that administration’s guidance earlier this month to send COVID-positive patients from hospitals to nursing homes was a dangerous and short-sighted step to take. The governor is requiring visitors to be Covid negative, yet he is sending Covid positive patients to these very homes?”

Sen. Kissel also pointed to a section of E.O. 14 F which states, “A nursing home shall not deny entrance to any visitor … who is willing to take a rapid antigen test at the nursing home … but is unable to because the nursing home is not able to provide a rapid antigen test.”

“I fail to see the logic here,” Sen. Kissel said. “So my ‘willingness’ to test will get me in the nursing home door…even if there is no test available on site for me to take?

“As I stressed earlier this month, we need to learn from past mistakes, but it seems we have not learned anything. We must do all we can to protect the most vulnerable from COVID-19, yet the State of Connecticut inexplicably continues directing Covid positive patients to nursing homes.

“Keeping our nursing home residents safe must be our top priority. These policies are confusing. They were crafted without legislative input. And they are wrong for our frail elderly residents and their loved ones.

“If you agree with me, call the Governor’s Office at 860 566-4840 and send an email to [email protected] today.”