Measures restricting social care visits will be relaxed following the success of the booster roll out, it has been announced.
It means unlimited visiting for care home residents and adults in care will return from Monday 31 January.
According to the Department of Health and Social Care, there will be no limit on the number of visitors allowed into social care homes, while self-isolation periods following an outbreak will be halved from 28 to 14 days.
Social care workers, meanwhile, will only be required to use LFD tests before their shifts, instead of also taking weekly asymptomatic PCR tests.
The isolation requirements for those receiving care will also change. From 31 January, self-isolation periods will be reduced from 14 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 will also be reduced from 14 to a maximum of 10 days.
Commenting on the new rules, Health and Social Care Secretary Sajid Javid said: “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.”
Minister for Care Gillian Keegan added: “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.”
