To ask the Minister of Health for an update on progress towards Gradual Easing of visiting in care homes, due from 4 June 2021.

The most recent guidance, “Visiting With Care – A Pathway”, sets out the approach to supporting safe and proportionate increases to visiting in care homes. It has been in force here since 7 May, and includes a commitment to scheduled reviews being undertaken to decide on progress along the pathway back to more normalised visiting.

The first scheduled review of the updated guidance around visiting in care home settings in Northern Ireland was completed as scheduled on 4 June 2021, with the review group confirming that, at this stage, it would not be appropriate to move forward to the second full stage of the Pathway – “Gradual Easing”. We have to remain vigilant about the continuing threat from the virus.

The group further agreed that, since by 11 June there will be more data available to reflect the impact of recent relaxations, a further review will be completed then, and I expect to be able to provide a further update shortly thereafter.