CARE home residents will be able to hold hands indoors with a designated visitor from Monday, the government has confirmed.

The Department for Health and Social Care has announced that every resident will have the opportunity to name one individual — who will be able to visit on multiple occasions — as a designated visitor.

However, the designated visitor cannot change, and they will be required to follow all infection prevention and control measures including having a lateral flow test beforehand, wearing PPE during the visit, and avoiding close contact.

Cllr Val Armstrong, Cheshire West Council cabinet member for adult social care, said: “This ease in restrictions is really positive news, however we still need to remain cautious. We are asking families, friends, and carers to work with our care providers to support them through these challenging times.

“Whilst the new government guidance is very much welcomed we are conscious that care providers across the borough will be faced with the very real challenge of how to facilitate this vital contact whilst reducing the risk of transmission of Covid-19 to clinically extremely vulnerable service users and social care staff.

“We know how important the contact with friends, families and carers is for the physical and emotional wellbeing of our loved ones. The Council is working closely with care providers to ensure visiting is supported and enabled wherever it is possible to do so safely.”

The new rules, although allowing hand-holding, do not permit closer contact, such as hugging.

Outdoor, pod, and screen visits will be able to continue in line with the published guidance which has been in place during lockdown. This means there will be chances for residents to see more than just the one person they nominate.

Also, more than one visitor may be allowed ‘in exceptional circumstances’.

Vaccination is not required for a visit, but a test will need to be completed on arrival at the care home, as home testing is not allowed under the rules.

For more information, visit CWAC’s webpage with links to the national guidance.