Visitors allowed back in English care homes from today
Self-isolation periods for residents have also been reduced
From today (31 January), restrictions on visiting to care homes in England have been scrapped.
There's now no limit on the number of visitors allowed into care homes, and residents who test positive for Covid-19 will now only have to isolate for 10 days, instead of 14.
The same goes for residents returning from an emergency hospital visit, while there's further reductions if any resident isolating tests negative on days five and six.
For staff, care home workers can start using lateral flow tests before shifts instead of weekly PCR tests from February 16.
Care homes will also only have to follow outbreak management rules for 14 days, down from the previous 28.
The changes, in place for care homes in England only, come as a result of the booster rollout success, with 86.5% of residents having now had their third vaccine shot.
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."
See what other Plan B restrictions are being lifted:
Face coverings scrapped in schools
The mandatory wearing of face coverings in schools has already ended, having been lifted last Thursday (January 20th). As a result, teachers and pupils no longer need to wear face coverings in communal areas such as in corridors and form rooms. Local directors of public health can temporarily reintroduce the mandate if the concern to public health is strong.
Face coverings no longer mandatory
It's not just schools where face coverings are no longer needed in England. Plan B introduced face coverings in any indoor setting, including shops, transport and other leisure areas like cinemas. This advice is now lifted, meaning you no longer need to wear a face covering anywhere in England. However, public health advice will continue to recommend you wear a face covering in crowded and enclosed spaces.
NHS Covid Pass made voluntary
The need to show proof of vaccination to get into indoor spaces such as pubs, bars and restaurants is also ending today. From now on, you no longer need to show your NHS Covid Pass to show you are fully jabbed. However, many establishments might continue to insist you to show the Pass, even though it is no longer a legal requirement.
Work from home mandate ended
If you were told you had to work from home during Plan B, you will soon be back at work in the office, as the order to work from home ends today. This advice was made to stem the spread of the virus throughout the course of Christmas and the New Year in order to stop the spread of Covid; now that the festive season is over, the government has deemed it safe to get back into the workplace.
Masks still needed in healthcare settings
Infection prevention control guidance continues to require face coverings be worn in health and care settings, including primary care and pharmacies;
Self isolation still needed
It is still a legal requirement for those with COVID-19 to self-isolate for 10 days with the option to end self-isolation after 5 full days following two negative LFD tests.