Sixteen hospitals in New York state will allow visitors as part of a pilot program addressing the heartbreak of COVID-19 patients suffering while isolated from their families and friends.

Cuomo said visits under the two-week pilot program will be time-limited. Visitors will need to wear protective equipment and will be subject to temperature and symptom checks.

Strict visitation rules were adopted to check the spread of the virus, but they have resulted in painful scenes of patients relying on phones or tablets for emotional conversations with loved ones.

“It is terrible to have someone in the hospital and then that person is isolated, not being able to see their family and friends,” Cuomo said.

Nine of the hospitals participating are in New York City, with the rest spread out around the state.

Cuomo made the announcement as COVID-19-related hospitalizations and deaths continue to decline. There are an average of 335 new hospitals admissions a day.

There were 105 new deaths recorded Monday.