Indoor visits to care homes in Wales are now allowed for the first time since the coronavirus lockdown was announced in March.

Initially, the change was set to come into force on Saturday (August 29), but it has been brought forward to today (Friday, August 28).

The change also applies to hospices.

Making the announcement, Welsh Government’s health minister Vaughan Gething said: “Limiting access to care homes has been wholly necessary to protect some of our most vulnerable in our communities from the harms of Covid-19, but we fully appreciate the impact this has had on residents and their loved ones.

“Given the benefits to resident’s wellbeing, I hope that many homes can quickly update their procedures to enable indoor visits to take place safely.”

Mr Gething added: “However, I do appreciate the anxiety that some providers will have about this significant change, and that some may need a little longer to put in place arrangements.

“I would urge family and friends to please be patient and understanding as homes begin to work through the logistics to facilitating indoor visits once again.”