Following the news of a third UK lockdown, announced last night 4th January, close-contact indoor visits to care homes will no longer be allowed.

Under the new rules announced by PM Boris Johnson, people must not leave their homes except for a small number of reasons. These include going to work if needed, to shop for essential items and for exercise.

The government is also advising the clinically extremely vulnerable to begin shielding again, and letters will be sent to individuals with advice on what this means for them.

The restrictions are now in place and are expected to last until at least the middle of February.

In care homes, visitors will no longer be able to see their loved ones in close-contact circumstances that had recently been allowed in some care homes. However, visits involving screens, pods and through windows will be able to go ahead, according to lockdown guidance published by the Cabinet Office on Monday evening. No visits will be permitted in the event of an outbreak.

During the first UK lockdown in March 2020, care home visiting was prohibited and residents went months without seeing their friends and family. Towards the end of last year, due to breakthroughs in rapid testing for visitors, close-contact visits were taking place in some care homes across the country on the condition of a negative test result. 

Commenting on the news, Vic Rayner, Executive Director of the National Care Forum, said: “The move away from close-contact visits is a terrible blow for residents across the country.

“However, it is very important and positive that visiting remains firmly on the agenda and homes across the country will be working hard with loved ones to ensure, wherever possible, visits can continue.

“When we emerge from this lockdown it is imperative that we put care home residents’ needs at the top of our priority list and ensure meaningful visits can resume.”