CARE home visits will not restart in Ceredigion until April, the council has said, despite the announcement on Friday that indoor visits in Wales could resume from today (Saturday).

Wales’ First Minister Mark Drakeford announced a raft of measures to start easing lockdown yesterday (Friday). One of them was that indoor care home visits can resume for one designated visitor from Saturday, 13 March, with the permission of the care home.

However, Ceredigion Council announced yesterday that visits to all care homes will remain suspended until the beginning of April.

A spokesperson added: "We are also grateful for the co-operation of the private care homes who have also kept visits suspended. The council has taken this measure in order to safeguard the health, safety and welfare of all our residents and staff.

"Looking after our care home residents is of paramount importance to us.

"Staff in each care home across Ceredigion are tested for Covid-19 every fortnight, in line with government guidelines.

"We understand how difficult this may be to relatives and residents, and they will continue to be able to communicate via telephone and video conferencing/skype calls.

From Thursday, 1 April, visits will be permitted at council residential care homes. Each resident will be able to identify one named visitor for one, 30-minute visit a week. All initial visits will take place in the visiting pods/facilities.

"All visitors will be required to complete a health questionnaire ahead of all visits. Letters have been sent to all families regarding how to book a visit," the council said.