We have had a number of questions surrounding the care home testing update and protective measures against Omicron and Covid-19 in regards to care home visitors.
We have received the following response from Deputy CMO Prof Graham Ellis:
In the context of care homes the testing on the day of visit should apply to all visitors from whatever background – social or professional. The front door being the safest way to identify and keep out infection.
In relation to wider health and care workforce we are not making a policy announcement in this letter as to whether all healthcare settings staff (for example) should test themselves 7 days a week as a separate policy team are looking at that at pace and as you will appreciate have to examine whether in fact we do have testing capacity! The First Minister has been very clear that she wants our most vulnerable protected including care homes as much as possible.
The simplest way to think of this guidance is that before you step through the front door of a care home –whether you are regular staff, visiting professional or a family visitor – every time you want to step through that front door you need to have a negative test.
I hope that helps – this is a very rapidly evolving situation.
