Care home visits stop in South Tyneside as council imposes new measures following spike in coronavirus cases

Under the temporary measures, loved ones will not be able to visit their friends and relatives in the borough’s care homes.

It comes as the council looks to take action to reduce the risk of coronavirus spreading across South Tyneside, with a focus on protecting the most vulnerable people in the community.

Care home residents are known to be some of the most at risk to Covid-19 and in March care home visits were stopped in an effort to keep the virus out of the homes.

During the months of closure care home staff did everything they could to help keep residents connected with loved ones, with the likes of face time calls and cards.

When lockdown restrictions were eased further in July care home visits were permitted if they adhered to social distancing guidelines.

But now South Tyneside Council has taken the step to temporarily cease such visits.

A South Tyneside Council spokeswoman said: “Our priority continues to be to take steps to mitigate the risk of coronavirus (Covid-19) transmissions in South Tyneside.

“In order to protect some of the most vulnerable in our community, we have asked care providers to temporarily cease visiting to residents.

“Care homes have been advised and each will make contact with residents’ families to advise them about new arrangements.”

It comes after a leap in Covid-19 cases across South Tyneside over the last week, which lead to a number of pubs across the borough closing for a deep clean when customers and staff tested positive for the virus.

According to the latest Public Health England figures released on Wednesday, September 2, South Tyneside had 1,069 coronavirus cases.

The council has said it will lift the restrictions following further advice from Public Health England.

A council spokeswoman continued: “We recognise the importance of family visits and will recommend the lifting of restrictions, upon further guidance from Public Health, which is based on community transmission information.

"We will keep you informed of any further decisions.”

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