Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will set out a timetable for the re-introduction of close contact care home visits in England.

New visiting arrangements started on 8 March. From then, every care home should ensure that each resident can nominate one named person who can have regular, indoor visits. Those with the highest care needs can also nominate an ‘essential care giver’. These visitors will be able to visit more often in order to provide essential care. They will have the same testing and arrangements as care home staff so that they can also provide extra support, like help with washing and dressing or eating well.

At step two of the roadmap, we will assess the data and take a decision on opening up further opportunities for visiting, setting out a plan for the next phase of visits for people in residential care.