New guidelines come into effect from today.
Family members of nursing home residents can now visit more than once a week as new guidelines which have been issued to residential care facilities take effect from today.
Visits to nursing homes have been subject to strict restrictions since mid-June but can now be somewhat relaxed.
Residents can now list as many 'nominated visitors' as they wish, instead of just 2 and those nominated visitors can now visit more than once a week. However, this may vary from facility to facility as it's still recommended that visits are scheduled.
Residents can have two visitors at a time now, or more on compassionate grounds if requested. Visits can also include children once accompanied by an adult. Meanwhile, the length of a visit has been increased from 30 minutes to an hour.
Visitors will be asked to wear a mask as well as have their temperature checked and hands sanitized on arrival.
