O
nly residents of working age should be allowed leave care homes for Christmas, according to Government guidance.
An exemption can be made in exceptional circumstances, such as visiting a loved one at the end of their life.
The guidance says that residents, their families and care homes should very carefully consider whether making visits out from the home is the best thing to do, or whether a visit at the care home would provide meaningful contact in a safer way.
Outward visits can take place in any tier as long as the resident and those they spend time with stick to the local rules at the time of the visit.
They will then need to isolate for 14 days upon their return to the care home.
The Government points out the importance of individual risk assessments due to some residents of working age being more vulnerable by virtue of underlying health conditions.
For the period of December 23 to 27, a resident on an outward visit should only mix with people from one household and should not become part of a three-household Christmas bubble.
All members of the household hosting the visit must have tested negative for Covid-19 immediately before the visit.
