Conservative led Wiltshire Council is working closely with care providers as plans are made to allow visits to care homes.
The council has played a key role in advising care homes throughout the pandemic. Now, following the latest guidance from government published on 22nd July 2020, the council is providing fresh advice, with information on the measures care homes will need to take to open safely.
Letters and guidance sent out today reminds care homes to have risk assessments and COVID visitor policies in place and ensure all checks are completed in line with the national guidance.
Kate Blackburn, Interim Director of Public Health, explained: "We know families have been waiting patiently and they will be keen to visit loved ones as soon as it is safe to do so.
"We have worked with our colleagues across health and care to review the latest government advice and assess whether visiting is likely to be appropriate within Wiltshire, based on local data and public health intelligence.
"We are now working closely with care providers as they prepare clear, robust plans for their own setting, as the most important consideration is to keep residents safe."
Care homes will be contacting families directly with detailed information so relatives should wait for this advice rather than contact the home separately. Care homes are working hard to make these arrangements as soon as possible. Care homes will need to continue reviewing their risk assessments and visiting may need to be suspended in the light of a local or an individual care home outbreak.
