As lockdown measures continue to be gradually lifted, indoor visits to care homes by designated visitors are now permitted in carefully managed circumstances.
Those visiting must adhere to Scottish Government advice regarding meeting people indoors, and residents who have been advised to shield should continue to follow current shielding guidance.
In order for indoor visiting to happen care home staff have worked closely with colleagues in Public Health to put specific plans in place. They have been in contact with families of residents to discuss with them how to make sure that visiting happens safely, including the need to book appointments for visits in advance, for infection control measures and the use of face coverings.
Understandably, visitors should not attend if they have COVID-19 symptoms or before a period of self-isolation has ended, whether identified as a case of COVID-19 or as a contact, or if isolating after travel from abroad. They should stay within the designated area for their visit for the duration of the visit, and must not visit any other rooms or shared areas. Care homes will keep a log of all visitors.
Councillor Emma Macdonald chairs the Integration Joint Board: “We really welcome this development, and understand how difficult the last few months have been for the loved ones of care home residents. We would like to express our thanks to the public for their support of our care homes, their staff and relatives in getting through this really difficult time. Sadly, we should also bear in mind that indoor visiting may be suspended again at any point in response to further concerns related to COVID-19.”