The SNP Government has published advice on visiting care homes, introducing additional measures to keep loved ones safe as COVID-19 cases rise.
Scottish Ministers have reiterated that care homes should continue to support visits for residents. However, these must be in line with the guidelines brought in to control the spread of the Omicron variant.
Under new guidelines, no more than two households should meet with a resident at any one time inside a care home and residents are being asked to avoid larger gatherings when visiting friends and family outwith the care home.
To ensure the safety of residents, staff testing has been increased to daily and all visitors should take a lateral flow test before every visit.
The SNP Government has also said that as before, named visitors can still be supported to visit residents in care homes with a controlled COVID-19 outbreak if the local Health Protection Team agrees. Furthermore, essential visits in circumstances such as distress or end of life “should be compassionately and generously supported at all times.”
Kenneth Gibson MSP said:
“The additional protective measures for adult care homes aim to balance the current Covid-19 risk and the need to keep people safe in line with clinical advice provided about the risks of Omicron variant of COVID-19 at this time.
“It is vital that everyone works together to enable people to see each other in the lead up to and over the Christmas period so that everyone can spend time with one another safely and with confidence.”
Updated Guidance on visiting in care homes is available here.
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