The UK government has confirmed that family members who test negative for coronavirus (COVID-19) can visit care homes in England from today.
It will allow “care home residents to be reunited with families by Christmas”.
Care home residents in all tiers of the government’s “tougher” three tier system will be able to see their families again, with over a million tests due to be sent out providers over the next month and the first visits to begin in the homes today (Wednesday 2nd November).
In a statement published to the gov.uk website, the government states: “A significant increase in testing capacity, paired with new testing technology, will allow friends and family to visit relatives in care homes if they receive a negative result prior to the visit”, and adds that the move is set to enable care homes to “safely maintain a balance between infection control and the vital benefits of visiting to the health and wellbeing of residents”.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock said the move was possible due to “unprecedented strides” in testing technology and capacity.
ADVERTISEMENT
Care home residents will be reunited with family by Christmas after a roll-out of rapid #COVID19 testing.
Over a million tests will be sent out to providers over the next month with visits to begin from Wednesday.
— Department of Health and Social Care (@DHSCgovuk) December 1, 2020
Mr Hancock continued: “I know how difficult it has been for people in care homes and their families to be apart for so long.
“The separation has been painful but has protected residents and staff from this deadly virus, [so] I’m so pleased we are now able to help reunite families and more safely allow people to have meaningful contact with their loved ones by Christmas.
ADVERTISEMENT
“This news has been made possible by the unprecedented strides made in testing technology and capacity, as well as extra PPE supplies.”
In the new guidance for care home visits as published yesterday evening, the Department of Health and Social Care says the “default position” is now that visits should be enabled to go ahead in all tiers – unless there is an outbreak in the care home – and it has been confirmed that more than a million lateral flow tests have already been sent out to the 385 biggest care homes as the first tranche of a phased approach to make visits safer.
I know how difficult it has been for people in care homes & their families to be apart for so long.
I’m so pleased we're now able to help reunite families & more safely allow people to have meaningful contact with their loved ones by Christmas.https://t.co/oa1O6jM8a9
Each care home is responsible for setting the visiting policy in that home.
ADVERTISEMENT
Care homes will manage the number of visits that take place – which must be arranged in advance – with visitors urged to be mindful of the additional workload for the care home.
The Department of Health and Social Care adds that hand holding and hugging may be possible if other infection control measures are followed, but it stresses the importance of visitors wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) to help protect their loved ones.
An extra 46 million items of free PPE will be sent to CQC-registered care home providers through the government portal in addition to PPE already available.
Over 220 million items of PPE have been provided to adult care homes since April.
The number of tests kits being supplied has been modelled to allow up to two visitors per resident, visiting twice a week, but visitors will still be expected to follow infection prevention and control procedures, and should “minimise contact as much as possible” to reduce the risk of transmission.
ADVERTISEMENT
___
For the latest information, guidance and support during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in the UK, please do refer to official sources at gov.uk/coronavirus.
#HandsFaceSpace
News
GMP officer sentenced after hitting pedestrian during police chase in Rochdale
Emily Sergeant
A police officer has been sentenced this week after he struck and ‘seriously injured’ a pedestrian following a pursuit of a suspected drink driver in Rochdale.
35-year-old Greater Manchester Police (GMP) officer PC Sam Lockley pleaded guilty back in January 2026 following an Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) investigation.
The IOPC investigation established that, in the early hours of the morning on 19 November 2023, PC Lockley was driving a marked police vehicle with the lights and sirens activated, and attempted to stop a suspected drunk driver on Drake Street in Rochdale.
A short pursuit that commenced but stopped merely a minute later after the police vehicle collided with a pedestrian on the footpath of Rochdale Road at approximately 3:30am.
The evidence gathered indicated that PC Lockley failed to slow down as he approached and drove through the red traffic lights at the Kingsway junction, and was travelling at a speed of 96mph in a 30mph zone.
The pedestrian suffered ‘serious injuries’ as a result of the collision, and received extensive medical treatment following.
At a hearing back in February of this year, PC Lockley received a two-year suspended sentence and was ordered to carry out 15 days community service, while also receiving two-year driving disqualification.
Also following the investigation, the IOPC decided that Lockley should face a gross misconduct hearing to face allegations that his manner of driving breached the police standards of professional behaviour.
“We continue to liaise with the force about disciplinary proceedings,” the IOPC concluded.
IOPC Director Amanda Rowe added: “My sympathies remain with the man, who sustained serious injuries, and all those affected by the incident.
“This was a complex investigation which relied on extensive amounts of data and expert analysis and the evidence showed PC Lockley drove at excessive speeds at night-time and although he was responding to a report of a suspected drink driver, it does not excuse his manner of driving.
“PC Lockley admitted he drove in a dangerous manner when he didn’t address hazards or warnings during the pursuit and ultimately by the time he saw the pedestrian, he was travelling too fast to avoid a collision.
“His actions that day have had long-lasting consequences and he has now been held accountable.”
Featured Image – Rawpixel
News
Manchester Town Hall is FINALLY taking wedding and events bookings for the first time since 2018
Emily Sergeant
A new era is on the horizon, as Manchester Town Hall has announced that it’ll be finally taking bookings for weddings and events once again.
That’s right… for the first time since it closed its doors to the public for what is the UK’s biggest restoration project to date back in 2018, one of Manchester’s most iconic landmarks is soon set to welcome its first weddings and events in a decade – with bookings for the city’s most romantic address now open once again.
Manchester Town Hall has stood at the centre of civic life in the city since 1877, and for generations, couples have exchanged their vows within its walls.
Now, as it enters the home stretch of its restoration, the Grade I-listed building is gearing up to kickstart weddings and corporate events from January 2028.
Set reopen to the public next year, first up will be a series of celebratory reopening events – which are yet to be announced – before a phased approach will then allow the building and teams to be fully prepared to host commercial events again from 2028.
Manchester Town Hall has announced that it’s finally taking wedding and events bookings for the first time since 2018 / Credit: Supplied
From its grand architecture and soaring stained glass windows, to sweeping staircases that offer the perfect ‘just married’ photo opportunities, this one-of-a-kind venue gives couples the opportunity to combine the romance and grandeur of a historic setting with the energy of a city centre celebration.
Inside the restored building, you’ll find The Great Hall, which is a magnificent setting with striking architectural character, as well as The Conference Hall, The Banqueting Hall, and The Reception Room, all of which offer equally characterful spaces that are perfect for private dinners, ceremonies, or corporate events.
The Lord Mayor’s Parlour is one of many settings overlooking the newly reopened Albert Square, while various elegant reception areas provide the perfect location for drinks and arrival moments.
“Our Town Hall is a real Victorian masterpiece and we’re looking forward to sharing it with the public once again,” explained Cllr Garry Bridges, who is Leader of Manchester City Council, as bookings finally open up this week.
“It’s a special building which belongs to the people and it’s great that they will be able to celebrate important landmarks in their lives, such as marriage, in its spectacular setting.
“The Town Hall is full of history. Here’s to many more stories being written within its walls.”
Want to be one of the first people who gets married or hosts an event at Manchester Town Hall once it reopens in 2028? You can enquire about booking here.
The Manc -
2nd December 2020 
