Victoria Cerrone plans to visit her father, 84-year-old Vittorio, after the ban to visit long term facilities was removed on Tuesday.

“The realization is sinking in that it is going to happen,” Cerrone said.

She said the last time she saw him was the day they dropped him off at a memory care facility, a day before the ban to visit long-term care facilities went into effect.

“We made the difficult decision to put him in a memory care facility for a month to see how it goes,” Cerrone said. ““We haven’t seen him since.”

She said the past five months were excruciating.

“He is missing moments of lucidity that he could’ve connected with us like he used to.”

Long-term care facility workers like Darell Butler disagree with the ban removal. He was one of dozens of workers who protested in Maitland.

“We really don’t have enough PPE,” Butler said.

His family was already devastated by the coronavirus pandemic.

“I have family members who’ve passed away from COVID-19 and that’s why we’re here today to make sure to let everybody know it’s not safe to let people back into the facilities at this time,” Butler said.

Cerrone said she shares his concerns but believes if facilities and visitors follow the proper guidelines than that would minimize the risk.

She said she also worries what will happen when she visits her father for the first time again.

“I am worried I will find a different man when I get there but it doesn’t matter I need to hug and love on him no matter what.”