In-person visits return for Westmoreland Co. nursing home, but children aren’t allowed

WESTMORELAND CO., Pa. — Plenty of excitement returned to Westmoreland Manor -- a nursing home in the county -- over the weekend when officials said in-person visits could happen again for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic started.

However, just as the excitement built, residents and families were upset to learn children under 12 years old won’t get the chance.

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“It’s really upsetting, we waited so long -- we waited a year,” said Corine Boring, whose parent is a resident at the nursing home. “And it’s finally here and they’re saying we can see them and now they’re saying our children can’t see them. I’m not understanding if we can wear a mask why can’t we see our loved ones.”

The county-owned facility is only allowing people over 12 years old inside. Leaders said the guideline is more lenient than many other nursing homes in the county, which only allow people 18 years old or older.

Boring told Channel 11 she managed to take her 3-year-old son to see his great grandfather at Hempfield Manor right before the pandemic restrictions went into place.

Meanwhile, county leaders said these are part of the guidelines set during COVID-19. It’s unclear how long it will last.

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