The UK government has announced a further £341m funding to support adult social care providers.
Speaking at the Commons despatch box, Health Secretary Matt Hancock said the funding would help providers with the costs of infection control and testing.
The £341m will ensure “visits are safe for everyone,” he added.
“Last Monday, we reopened care homes to visitors, with a careful policy of a single regular visitor who will be tested and wear PPE,” said Hancock.
“I know how important this is – and I know colleagues will be cheered by the stories we hear each day of more and more residents safely reunited with the people they love. It means everything to them,” he added.
The latest funding takes the government's total infection control fund and testing support to more than £1.6 billion, alongside the free PPE that care homes receive.
Care England gave a cautious welcome to the extension of infection prevention and testing funds pending further details.
“This extension of funding represents a lifeline for care providers. We are pleased that the government has heeded the calls of Care England as without such funding the sector would be in jeopardy,” said chief executive Martin Green.
