Over one million COVID-19 testing kits will be sent out to care providers over the next month, enabling people in all tiers to visit their loved ones in care homes over the Christmas period.

A significant increase in testing capacity, paired with new testing technology, will allow friends and family to visit relatives in care homes if they receive a negative result prior to the visit.

The move will enable care homes to safely maintain a balance between infection control and the vital benefits of visiting to the health and wellbeing of residents.

Health and Social Care Secretary Matt Hancock said: “I know how difficult it has been for people in care homes and their families to be apart for so long. The separation has been painful but has protected residents and staff from this deadly virus.

“I’m so pleased we are now able to help reunite families and more safely allow people to have meaningful contact with their loved ones by Christmas.”

It will still be critical for visitors to wear appropriate PPE and follow other infection-control measures within the care home to keep their loved ones, other residents and staff safe, the DHSC has said.

An extra 46 million items of free PPE will be sent to CQC-registered care home providers through the Government portal, in addition to PPE already available. Over 220 million items of PPE have been provided to adult care homes since April.

The number of test kits being supplied has been modelled to allow up to two visitors per resident, visiting twice a week. Care homes will manage the number of visits to ensure they can enable safe visiting and the programme will be continuously reviewed as it is rolled out.

Visitors will still be expected to follow infection prevention and control procedures. Visitors should minimise contact as much as possible to reduce the risk of transmission.

Minister for Care Helen Whately said: “COVID-19 is a cruel virus that has torn families apart and denied so many the simple human pleasure of contact with a loved one, which means everything to so many living in care homes. 

“It is impossible to eliminate risk entirely, but now thanks to an enormous expansion of testing capacity and a huge delivery of free PPE we can help to more safely reunite families throughout December.”

The government is also publishing new guidance allowing some residents under 65 to spend time with their families at Christmas outside of care homes.

Updated care home visiting guidance can be found here:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/arrangements-for-visiting-out-of-the-care-home