WHAT HAPPENS IN OTHER COUNTRIES...

THE Canadian province of Ontario is allowing families to resume close contact with loved ones inside care homes.

Up to two people are permitted at any one time, but masks must be worn and visitors have to confirm they have tested negative for Covid.

Canada won praise for its swift handling of the crisis by recognising that agency staff working in care homes could put tens of thousands of elderly and vulnerable residents at risk.

Countries like Israel too recognised the potential threat immediately and banned agency workers at the start of the pandemic. In Canada, agency staff who plug workforce gaps and typically work at multiple venues were quickly identified as potential virus spreaders.

In England it is now “mandated” that agency staff must work at just one home. But the ruling was made months after the start of the crisis and after the virus had spread throughout homes.