New Care Home Covid Rules Lock In Amid Omicron Surge
The Department of Health and Social Care has slammed down fresh Covid-19 measures for care homes to tackle soaring Omicron cases. The move, aimed at “balancing the current Covid-19 risk and keeping people safe,” kicks in this Wednesday.
Omicron Cases Hit Record High
The announcement coincides with the UK hitting a new daily record of 448 Omicron infections. The timing sparks rumours the government is edging closer to ‘Plan C’ restrictions.
Potential crackdowns include a strict three-visitor limit in care homes and vaccine passport requirements for smaller venues like pubs.
Testing and Boosters Cranked Up
- Care home staff must now do three lateral flow tests each week, plus one weekly PCR test – up from two LFTs.
- Specialist vaccination teams are expanding to ensure all care home residents, staff, and housebound individuals receive booster jabs.
- Visitors who are fully vaccinated will need lateral flow tests every other day for two weeks after each visit.
- Unvaccinated visitors must isolate after leaving the care home.
£300 Million Boost for Overworked Care Homes
The government is dishing out a £300 million fund to care homes. The cash can cover staff bonuses, early pay rises, overtime, and recruitment to ease pressure until the end of March.
With the Omicron variant on the rise, these tighter rules aim to protect Britain’s most vulnerable – but the tougher restrictions could soon be rolled out to wider society if infections continue to soar.
