Pandemic 'hasn't ended for people in care homes'
From Monday care home residents won't have to isolate after leaving for visits - but there will still be high-risk exceptions.
From Monday (21st June) care home residents won't have to isolate after leaving for visits.
However, there will be high-risk exceptions - and it's not a big departure from current guidance.
Mike Padgham is Chair of the Independent Care Group in North Yorkshire: "Social distancing, limited visitors, wearing masks in care homes is going to be there for the foreseeable future.
"I anticipate those rules perhaps being in place in care homes for the remainder of this year. Visiting is essential, but care homes do need some help with staffing and other measures.
"I do hope that the Government will give further assistance to care homes so we can continue the hard work going on at present, but also so we can open up more to visitors.
"This new variant (Delta) is going to be particularly difficult as it transmits quickly - and people are vulnerable in care homes. We've got to balance the risks between opening up visiting and making sure that the variant doesn't spread here, so it's a tough period ahead.
"I'm not really surprised by the delay in lifting lockdown restrictions. I can understand some fears about it, but I also feel that it's better to be safe than sorry.
"It's inconvenient, but it's better to be on the safe side - we don't want to go backwards".