Limits on visitors to care homes in England to be scrapped next week
Residents can now have an unlimited number of visitors
Care home residents in England will soon have an unlimited number of visitors as previously imposed restrictions on guests are lifted.
Limits on the number of people able to visit care home residents in England are being scrapped from Monday (January 31st), with the period self-isolation following those meetings also being cut.
If a care home resident needs urgent care in hospital or tests positive for coronavirus, they will only need to self-isolate for ten days on their return, down from fourteen.
As well as this, if an outbreak is confirmed by a care home, the assisted living centre will shut for only two weeks instead of four.
Care workers will also be able to take lateral flow tests to prove their Covid negativity, instead of using weekly PCR tests from February 16th.
The change in law was reinforced by Health Secretary Sajid Javid, who said the restrictions could be lifted thanks to the success of the vaccination programme.
In total, 86.5% of care home staff have had their booster dose, as well as being fully vaccinated.
It comes as England moves towards the plan of living with coronavirus after the government's Plan B to tackle the Omicron variant was lifted.
Speaking about the change in guidance, Care minister Gillian Keegan said that more people could be reunited.
"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," he said.
"The changes announced today are backed by scientists, ensuring we all have more freedoms from coronavirus, including care home residents and their families."
Other rules in England have also been lifted as Plan B is scrapped, such as:
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.