BRITS can hug and hold hands with elderly relatives in care homes if they test negative for Covid, with visits starting again today.
More than a million coronavirus tests and extra PPE supplies are being rolled out to care homes in England.
Some families have only seen loved ones through screens for eight months after face-to-face visits were banned.
But hand holding and hugging may now be possible if PPE is worn and infection control measures are followed, government guidance states.
Visits should be allowed in all three tiers unless there is an outbreak in the care home, the Department of Health said.
It is understood all care homes will receive enough tests so they can provide visits by Christmas, with visits starting from Wednesday.
CARE HOME CUDDLES
The rollout follows a two-week pilot trialled in 20 care homes in November.
Health 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.”
Up to two visitors would be allowed per resident, with visits twice a week permitted.
It comes as cases today rose by 13,430 and another 603 deaths were confirmed.
Last week, Chief Medical Officer Chris Whitty warned people should avoid hugging and kissing elderly relatives over Christmas.
Earlier on Tuesday, Boris Johnson urged people to get Covid tests before visiting elderly family at Christmas, to reduce the risk of giving them the virus.
It came as it was confirmed that people in care homes will finally be able to be reunited with their families with visits starting tomorrow.
But community testing is not yet up and running – with no dates about when it will.
He told Lib Dem Sir Ed Davey that testing centres would be open for people to get a quick result test.
Boris said: “In general, the testing system is available, at the moment, for people who have symptoms.
“But I would urge people who are worried that they may need to be in the company of those who are elderly or vulnerable to seek to get a rapid turnaround test.”
Rapid result tests are only available for people without symptoms in Liverpool, and a handful of other areas and industries.
His comments came after the head of the mass testing programme warned it will take until “January and beyond” until everywhere in Tier 3 has mass testing.
General Sir Gordon Messenger said on Monday evening that “we will not be able to do this all at once”.
15,000 troops are on standby to be able to help with the rollout.
Meanwhile, the Department for Health said that from tomorrow they would start rolling out over a million tests, and visits can resume.
Two visitors per week will be allowed two visits per week as part of the plans.
But they will still need to cover up with the right PPE – including masks – when they come in – and should reduce contact with their loved ones where they can.
Minister for Care, Helen Whately said tonight: “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.”
Ministers will soon publish new guidance to confirm that people under 65 in care homes can go home for Christmas – as long as they have a negative test and self isolate when they get back.
