North Yorkshire care homes awaiting Government guidance on visits
Care homes are allowed one designated, regularly tested visitor indoors from Monday 8th March.
North Yorkshire County Council says it's still waiting for Government guidance on indoor care home visits for Monday (8th March).
From Monday indoor visits will be allowed for one designated relative at care homes.
Corporate Director for Health and Adult Services at North Yorkshire County Council, Richard Webb, says: "For some time now it's been a real challenge for people to keep in touch with loved ones.
"For those of us who have friends and relatives in residential or nursing care that's been a really difficult time. We've heard some really sorrowful stories of people not being able to have the contact that they would want.
"Back in the Autumn we did work together with care providers, residents and families to come up with North Yorkshire guidance.
"We're awaiting new Government guidance, and if we don't get that in the next couple of days then Louise (Wallace - North Yorkshire Director of Public Health) will be issuing our own advice to care homes on how to keep safe.
"We will be cautious about that - we still need rigorous infection control and PPE. People need to keep their distance if at all possible. Where care homes have got pods or separate visiting areas, we think the best thing to do would be to use those.
"We'll see what the Government guidance is, but we'll also provide our own advice and support".