New guidance gives hope to people who want to go to see their loved ones.
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Rules for visiting relatives and friends in care homes have been relaxed over the past few months across the UK.
However, there are still measures in place to protect residents and stop the spread of Covid.
In England, care home residents can choose up to five people who can visit regularly.
No more than two people should visit at one time or in one day.
If a resident is not well enough to choose, care homes should talk with their family to decide on the arrangements.
Residents can also nominate someone as an “essential care giver”, who does not count in the daily visitor limit. This means they can visit even during coronavirus outbreaks, and be offered personal protective equipment (PPE) and additional testing.
In Scotland, if a care home has had no coronavirus cases for 14 days, residents can have pre-booked visitors indoors. If a home has had a recent case, however, garden and window visits are usually possible.
In Wales, anyone can visit, but no more than two people at a time indoors.
In Northern Ireland, residents can have three indoor visitors per week – limited to two at a time and lasting up to an hour.
Guidance for care providers in England says residents can leave a home for social reasons. This includes overnight stays.
They do not need to self-isolate on their return unless they have had an overnight stay in hospital, or the visit is considered high risk.
Visits outside care homes can take place in Wales, but a risk assessment should be done.
In Scotland and Northern Ireland, trips away from the home are also possible, and there should normally be no requirement to isolate on the resident’s return.
In Scotland, care homes are encouraged to move towards permitting overnight stays, with a risk assessment. Residents are not required to self-isolate on their return.
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You don’t have to be vaccinated to visit a care home, although government guidance recommends that people take the jab when offered.
Nominated visitors need to take a lateral flow test organised by the home – this applies in England, Wales and Scotland.
These take about 30 minutes, and visitors need to wait for the result before seeing the resident.
If the visitor tests positive for coronavirus, they should return home and self-isolate.
Visitors in Northern Ireland are being asked to take a test three days before turning up, and another on the day.
Guidance in England advises that visitors and residents “keep physical contact to a minimum”, and says there should not be close physical contact such as hugging.
Hand-holding may be allowed, but people are reminded that “any contact increases the risk of transmission”.
Ideally, visitors should keep a 2m (6ft) distance from residents.
Similar guidance has been issued in Wales and Northern Ireland.
In Scotland, brief hugs are allowed as long as masks are worn.
Visitors are being asked to wear face coverings in care homes across the UK, and to wear more personal protective equipment if required.
In some circumstances, such as for residents with dementia, visitors might not be easily recognised with face coverings.
The guidance says that to help, visitors should speak clearly, not wear hats and keep eye contact.
Alternatives, such as clear visors, can be used instead of face coverings.
If possible, care homes should prepare residents for a visit by showing them photographs or reminding them of stories related to the visitor.
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If you’re visiting a care home, you should also:
- Wash your hands regularly
- Stay away if you have shown symptoms in the past week
Different care homes will operate different systems, so it is worth getting in touch if you have any questions.
Each one will have their own booking system and rules over how long visits can be.
Visitors should check with the individual care home before visiting.
They will have their own procedures and may have extra restrictions in place, particularly if there have been recent cases of coronavirus.