- Residents will be able to leave care homes for low risk
visits without needing to self-isolate on their return
- Residents will be able to visit family’s garden or take a
walk with a care worker or named visitor
- Guidance updated as the data shows cases falling in the
community
All care home residents will be able to participate in more out
of home visits without having to isolate on their return, the
government has announced today.
From Tuesday 4 May, residents will also be able to leave their
care homes to visit a friend or family member’s garden, or go on
walks in places such as parks, public gardens and beaches. They
will not have to self-isolate when they return.
Residents must be accompanied by either a care worker or
nominated visitor and follow the government guidelines of washing
hands regularly, keeping social distance and remaining outside,
in line with step 2 of the roadmap.
The changes come as the data shows cases continuing to fall
meaning it is now much safer for care home residents, who are
among the most vulnerable to Covid-19, to leave their homes.
Keeping visits outdoors will ensure any risk is minimised as much
as possible.
Prime Minister said:
“We know how challenging this time has been for care home
residents, so I am pleased that they can now leave their homes to
reunite with their loved ones outdoors.
“With the data continuing to head in the right direction and as
restrictions ease, it is my priority to keep increasing visits
for residents in the coming weeks in a safe and controlled way.”
Minister for Care, said:
“I know residents and their families have found the restrictions
on trips out of care homes incredibly difficult. This is one more
step towards getting back to normal, while protecting care homes
from the continued risk of Covid-19.
“As part of this interim update before the next stage of the
roadmap, care home residents will also be able to leave to spend
time outdoors. I know this has been long-awaited for those who
haven’t had a chance to enjoy trips out. I look forward to
encouraging more visiting and trips out in future as we turn the
tide on this cruel virus.”
To take part in outdoor activities, residents will be accompanied
by a member of care home staff or one of their nominated visitors
and they cannot meet in groups as care home residents are most at
risk from COVID-19.
Visits out of the care home should take place solely outdoors,
except for the use of toilet facilities, with no visits to indoor
spaces (public or private) and avoiding the use of public
transport where possible.
An exemption will be in place for those who wish to vote in
person in the upcoming local elections as long as they follow
national coronavirus restrictions and measures in place at
polling stations. While the majority of residents will have made
use of postal votes or a proxy, those who prefer to vote in
person can do so on May 6.
Chief Nurse for Adult Social Care, Professor Deborah
Sturdy said:
“The pandemic has been so incredibly challenging for those living
in care homes and our social care workforce have done a heroic
job of keeping their residents safe and supported. I know this
change to the guidance will be hugely welcomed by many and give
so many the chance to safely leave their home.”
Arrangements in areas with high, or rapidly rising, levels of
infection in the local community and/or variants of concern
(VoCs) will need additional local advice from Directors of Public
Health. Latest statistics show that 95% of residents have
received their first dose of the vaccine and 71% have received
their second.
Residents who have tested positive, or who have COVID-19 symptoms
must self-isolate and would therefore not be able to leave the
care home. In the event of an outbreak all residents must
self-isolate, and visits out suspended to prevent the spread of
the virus.
As part of the roadmap out of lockdown, guidance was updated on
April 12 for care homes to increase visiting, and allow two
nominated visitors per resident.
Guidance on visits out of care homes will be kept under review
including, when the data shows it is safe, the requirement for
residents to isolate on their return from a visit.
Notes to editors:
- Updated guidance will be published in due course
