Visitors to Nuvance Health facilities will be required to show proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours of visiting a patient starting on Oct. 5.

The policy includes visitors for inpatient, emergency departments, Nuvance Health Medical Practices, and ambulatory services.

There are exceptions though for those within special populations and extenuating circumstances.

These circumstances underlined by Nuvance Health include, patients in critical condition — when death may be imminent and patients with disabilities or behavioral concerns before being hospitalized.

The update to Nuvance Heath’s visitation policy applies to Putnam Hospital, Northern Dutchess Hospital in Rhinebeck and Vassar Brothers Medical Center in Poughkeepsie.

Proof of vaccination could be a physical or digital vaccine card or a photo of it.

COVID-19 tests include rapid and PCR tests. However, at home tests will not be accepted unless certified by a health professional.

Visitors and patients who spoke with News 12 today say they're in favor of the policy, especially as the delta variant shows no signs of slowing down. "Showing a negative COVID test would be a good idea too, but then you got to constantly be tested every time you have to go somewhere. That was my issue and so finally I just gave in, and I got the vaccination," says Sean McGourty, of Mahopac.