All nursing home visits are now allowed across New York, but a few rules remain in place.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced the new guidance, in effect immediately, which replaced the old rules that required 14 days without a COVID-19 case in facilities.

Among the exceptions that remain -- visits are disallowed with residents who have COVID-19 at the time, and visits will be disallowed with unvaccinated residents in areas of high community spread and lower resident vaccination rates.

The state is also recommending all visitors be tested for the virus.

Nora Steinmetz was ecstatic after learning the news. She will be able to finally visit her parents very soon.

"It's like Christmas," says Steinmetz. "We are so happy that this day finally came and I'm just praying everything goes well, and my mom is happy to see my dad after a whole six months."

Steinmetz says after a year of heartbreak, she's ready to show her family the love they deserve.

"Now it's like -- wait and see what the rules are going to be for the nursing home -- because they're going to have their own rules," she says. "Even though New York state said open up and let us hug - I hope that works out."