Norfolk care homes: workers and volunteers must prove they're vaccinated from 11 November
This will only apply to those who do work or volunteer in a care home
Last updated 14th Sep 2021
From 11 November, workers and volunteers visiting care-homes in Norfolk must prove they have been double-vaccinated.
This will be a national legal requirement that must be followed by both domestic staff and those who visit a home to do any sort of work.
Workers and volunteers wanting to enter a care-home after this deadline will need to have their first vaccine by Thursday (16 September), at the very latest.
People can demonstrate they have been vaccinated through the NHS app, NHS website or NHS COVID pass letter.
Care homes will be unable to admit workers who haven't been vaccinated, unless they are medically exempt, providing emergency assistance or urgent maintenance work.
Councillor Bill Borrett, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Public Health at Norfolk County Council said:
“The mandatory vaccine regulations will help to ensure that all care home residents, who may be vulnerable to COVID-19 are better protected against the virus.
“We also hope that the local businesses, who are valued providers of services to our care homes across the region, will be able to support us with this new requirement.”
Tim Weller, Head of Quality Assurance at Norfolk County Council admitted that the new rule "is going to cause problems in the work force".
He went on to say that a few staff members choosing not to have the vaccine has "exacerbated" problems in the local sector that pre-dated the pandemic.
But he said that "fewer than a thousand" care-home staff have not had the vaccine. He says this figure is so low because myths and pre-conceptions surrounding the vaccine have been "well addressed" amongst those who were previously hesitant to take the vaccine.
To learn more about the Council's plans click here