ORLANDO, Fla. — After Gov. Ron DeSantis lifted the state’s months-long ban on nursing home visits in early September, families across the state are finally getting to see their loved ones in person.

What You Need To Know

  • Governor issued order allowing limited visits to long-term csre facilities this month

  • Jose Santiago is a resident at Palm Garden in Orlando

  • Sons helped him celebrate his 99th birthday on phone, through glass door

Nelson and Joe Santiago were able to make an appointment to see their father, Jose, on the first day Palm Garden in Orlando was allowing families to visit.

It was the first time the brothers were in the same room with their father in about six months.

They had to wash their hands, wear masks and goggles, and stay at least six feet apart from their father. They couldn’t hug him, but they said at least getting to be in the same room with him meant so much.

“We’ll always say it wasn’t long enough, but it was great to be able see him, be next to him, and to be able to speak to him clearly,” Nelson Santiago said.

“You know, he’s 99 years old, and for 99 years old, I thank Jesus for him and for the opportunity to see him again.”

Last month, the brothers celebrated their father’s 99th birthday by calling him and looking at him through a glass door at the nursing home.

The lifting of the statewide nursing home visitation ban requires facilities allowing visits to be free of any COVID-19 positive cases among residents or staff for a period of at least 14 days. Also, visitors are required to make appointments. ​