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Families and
Friends of some care home residents will be able to resume visiting their loved ones months after they were stopped due to the
Coronavirus crisis.
Visits will resume in specific care homes once local directors of public health and local authorities decide it is safe to do so, the Department of Health and Social Care said on Wednesday.
Risk assessments will be undergone prior to homes being reopened, and visits that take place will involve face coverings and social distancing measures.
Health secretary Matt Hancock said: “I know how painful it has been for those in care homes not being able to receive visits from their loved ones throughout this period.
“We are now able to carefully and safely allow visits to care homes, which will be based on local knowledge and circumstances for each care home.
“It is really important that we don’t undo all of the hard work of care homes over the last few months while ensuring families and friends can be safely reunited, so we have put in place guidance that protects everyone.”
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