FAMILIES of care home residents are 'over the moon' with the announcement they could be reunited with their loved ones by Christmas.

The Government has announced that people living in care homes in England will be able to have visits from family and friends by Christmas if the visitors test negative for Covid-19. More than a million coronavirus tests will be sent to care homes over the next month to allow safe indoor visits which will be allowed across all tiers. In new guidance, the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) said the 'default position' is now that visits should be enabled to go ahead in all tiers - unless there is an outbreak in the care home. Hand holding and hugging may be possible if other infection control measures are followed, but contact such be minimised as much as possible and PPE should be worn to help protect their loved ones.

Jodie Leech, a clinical support worker at Furness General Hospital, has not seen her nanna, who lives in a local care home, since the pandemic began in March. The 36-year-old said it will be an 'emotional time' for the whole family.

She said: "We're over the moon with the news. Nanna's obviously a bit apprehensive about having visitors since it's been so long since she's seen the family.

"I'll feel nervous going to see her for the first time even if I have been tested just because it's been such a long time

"Either way, it's a really emotional time for everyone who hasn't seen relatives for this long and we can't wait to see her again."

Mrs Leech said the long overdue visit will lift her nanna's spirits.

"It'll really boost her mood to have interaction with the family and see us all again," she said.

"It's going to be really emotional on both sides."