LIMITS on the number of visitors to care homes are being scrapped next week following the success of the Covid booster jabs campaign.
In a huge boost for elderly and vulnerable Brits who have faced isolation since March 2020, the Health Secretary has revealed rules on visiting will finally end.
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From Monday, January 31, there will be no limit on the number of visitors allowed into care homes and self-isolation periods will be cut, the Department for Health says.
Care homes will only have to follow outbreak management rules for 14 rather than 28 days.
Quarantine will be cut from 15 days to 10 days for those who test positive – with further reductions if they test negative on days five and six.
Isolation periods for those in care following an emergency hospital visit are also being reduced from 14 to 10 days.
In addition, workers will be asked to start using lateral flow tests before their shifts instead of weekly PCR tests from February 16.
Essential care givers should continue to be able to visit homes even during periods of outbreak affecting a care home.
It comes as Government stats reveal 86.5 per cent of care home residents have now had a booster vaccination.
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The jab gives high levels of protection against Omicron.
Sajid Javid said this morning: “I know how vital companionship is to those living in care homes and the positive difference visits make, which is why we continued to allow three named visitors and an essential care giver under Plan B measures.
“Thanks to the progress we have made, I am delighted that care home restrictions can now be eased further, allowing residents to see more of their loved ones.”
Care minister Gillian Keegan said: “Thanks to the continued success of the vaccine rollout, I am delighted we can ease restrictions in care settings and allow unlimited visits to ensure people living in care homes see all their family and friends.
“The changes announced today are backed by scientists, ensuring we all have more freedoms from coronavirus, including care home residents and their families.”
As Omicron spread through the UK last month, it was announced care home residents would only be allowed three named people who can visit regularly.
CARE HOME RELIEF
Staff testing was also ramped up, to three lateral flow tests per week, as well as a weekly PCR.
Today’s announcement comes as England moves out of Plan B.
Face masks are no longer legally required in any setting from today.
Working from home came to an end last week.
Travel tests have also changed, with fully vaccinated people only required to take a lateral flow within two days of returning.
And isolation rules are set to expire on March 24 – or sooner – meaning people who test positive for Covid are not legally obliged to isolate.
Boris Johnson told the Commons last week cases and hospitalisations are falling and “our scientists believe it is likely the Omicron wave has now peaked nationally”.
He declared: “Because of the extraordinary booster campaign, together with the way the public have responded to the Plan B measures, we can return to Plan A in England and allow Plan B regulations to expire.
“We will set out our long-term strategy for living with Covid 19, explaining how we hope and intend to protect our liberty and avoid restrictions in future by relying instead on medical advances – especially the vaccines which have already saved so many lives.
“But to make that possible, we must all remain cautious during these last weeks of winter.”
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