Care homes in Ceredigion will allow a ‘nominated individual’ to visit loved ones from today.

All initial visits will take place in a safe visiting facility made available at council-run care homes and each visitor will be required to complete a health questionnaire ahead of all visits.

Each nominated visitor will be able to receive one 30-minute visit a week.

No children under the age of 18 will be permitted under the current arrangements.

Individuals will not be able to book any visits directly with the care homes.

Instead they will have to contact Clic on 01545 570881 to make arrangements. Bookings for visits will only be permitted for the nominated visitor.

A spokesperson for Ceredigion County Council said: “We continue to be in very uncertain times and therefore we need to continue with robust planning and a phased approach to prevent any further outbreaks in our care homes.

“We will review the visiting arrangements in line with the visiting pathway as long as community transmission rates continue to fall and the staff and residents have received the second dose of the vaccine.

“We are taking a slow and phased approach to re-introduce visiting to our care homes to ensure the safety of the residents and our staff.

“Be aware that we may be required to stop visitors in any home at any time. The decision to pause any visits will be due to Covid-19 related concerns or any other issues that may affect visiting taking place.

“Protecting vulnerable people in the county remains to be a top priority for Ceredigion County Council.

“We thank everyone for their continued support by following the rules to keep ourselves, our families, our friends and our communities safe in these unprecedented times.”