As we all adjust to a world where Coronavirus lives among us, we acknowledge that even when we move through the various changes to Guidance, COVID-19 and other transmissible diseases remain a challenge for everyone and particularly those working in the care sector and also for the people we support.

The guidance changed from the 27th September 2023 and as of that date, the new guidance is:

• People with symptoms of a respiratory infection who are not eligible for COVID-19 treatments do not need to test but should stay away from others until they feel well again and do not have a temperature. This includes staff and visitors with symptoms.
• People who test positive for COVID-19 should stay away from others for a minimum of 5 days and until they feel well and no longer have a temperature. Testing is no longer required for individuals to return to normal before 10 days following a positive test.
• Rapid response testing will no longer be needed in care homes or extra care and supported living settings.
• If there is a suspected or confirmed outbreak in a care home, there is no longer a need to test the whole home. Instead, only the first 5 linked symptomatic residents should take a LFD to assess if there is an outbreak of 2 or more residents displaying respiratory symptoms within 14 days.
• Outbreak measures in care homes should not only focus on protecting those who are at highest-risk from COVID-19. Measures can be lifted 5 days after the last positive or suspected case. Recovery testing is no longer required.
• There should not be any restrictions on visits out for individuals who are not symptomatic or who have not tested positive in any circumstance.

Each Service has its own individual visiting plan and risk assessment that will need to be followed during the visit, please discuss with the team at the Service.

• There should not normally be any restrictions to visits to our care homes and other services. However if there are specific guidance in place in the service, our team will let you know.
• You will also no longer have to wear face masks when visiting, if you prefer to wear a mask this is your choice. Please continue to use the alcohol hand gel when entering the building.
• Visitors should not enter the care home if they are feeling unwell. Transmissible viruses such as flu, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and norovirus can be just as dangerous to care home residents as COVID-19. If visitors have symptoms that suggest COVID-19, they should avoid the care home until at least 5 days after they feel better.