Covid-free care homes will be allowed one designated visitor per resident from late next week – almost 14 weeks after Scotland’s care homes went into lockdown.

“Significant progress” in reducing virus transmission rates in recent weeks means Scotland’s care homes can now start a “cautious” staggered return to having visitors, the Scottish Government says.

Residents will be allowed to see one designated visitor outdoors so long as social distancing measures are observed.

Making the announcement today, Health Secretary Jeane Freeman said she understood the end of normal activities, routines and visiting for residents had been “distressing” and “difficult” for people living in care homes as well as staff.

It comes after a social work leader warned residents' quality of life could suffer because of a "lack of attention" to "wider well-being".

The most recent estimates suggest the R number in Scotland – the rate of transmission of the virus – is between 0.6 and 0.8. The virus is predicted to spread exponentially if this goes above one.

Residents of care homes in Scotland that have had no virus cases or have been covid-free for 28 days will be able to have visitors outside from the 3^rd July – 14 weeks after lockdown began.

A care home must have had no covid cases or none for 28 days for visiting to be allowed from the 3^rd July.

A single nominated visitor will be able to see their loved one in a care home and be required to wear a face mask, observe social distancing and “other appropriate safety measures”.

Welcoming the news, Scottish Care’s national director Karen Hedge said their members reported some residents becoming “more and more withdrawn” because of a lack of contact with family members that was “critical” for their health and wellbeing.

“There is definitely a sense of deep sadness because people working in care homes are seeing the impact that the lack of visiting is having – particularly on those who might have dementia and not be able to comprehend the implications of lockdown,” she said.

“There is research out there on how we can mitigate risks and how we can reduce the risks as much as possible – part of that is following the 2m guidelines, using appropriate PPE, starting off with visits outside and so on. And doing all this in a calculated and measured way which means we should have been looking for this announcement sooner.”

It was announced last week that people shielding were now allowed to go outside for exercise and meetings for the first time in months.  

Karen Hedge said: “In the same way that rules have been relaxed for people shielding in their own homes we would expect people in care homes to be treated with an equivalence – otherwise there is a risk of a breach of fundamental human rights – what could be described as age discrimination.”

Speaking today, Health Secretary Jeane Freeman said: “I know this will be important and I hope welcome news for families and friends with loved ones in care homes.

“I know how long you have been waiting to see them but I also know that you will understand our caution.

Following the move on care homes, Health Secretary Jeane Freeman said government is also working on a phased reintroduction of visiting to hospitals and other healthcare settings, with an announcement expected next week.

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