Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to his contribution of 19 October 2020, Official report, column 790, what discussions he has had with directors of public health in Tier (a) 2 and (a) 3 covid-19 restriction areas on ensuring that visits to care homes are allowed during periods of increased covid-19 restrictions.

New visiting arrangements started on 8 March. Every care home should ensure that each resident can nominate one named person who can have regular, indoor visits. Visiting arrangements that have been available throughout the period of national lockdown should continue i.e. using substantial screens, visiting pods, behind windows or outdoors. Visits in exceptional circumstances including end of life should always be supported and enabled.

At Step 2 of the roadmap, we will assess the data and take a decision on opening up further opportunities for visiting - setting out a plan for the next phase of visits for people in residential care.