CARE home operators across Dorset have spoken of their delight that their residents can spend more time with loved ones as lockdown restrictions ease.

As the country took another step on the 'roadmap' out of lockdown on Monday, care home residents and their loved ones were among those celebrating thanks to new rules which permit each care home resident to now meet up to two named visitors indoors for regular visits.

Visitors must be tested using rapid lateral flow tests before every visit and wear personal protective equipment (PPE) while inside the care home.

Denise Chrippes, manager at Cheriton Care Home in Dorchester, is thrilled with the new rule which replaces the previous restriction where residents could only see one named visitor.

She said: "We are delighted to welcome more visitors indoors at Cheriton Care Home this week following the latest relaxation of Covid restrictions.

Dorset Echo: Cheriton Care Home resident Ruby Morris with her daughter Picture: Cheriton Care HomeCheriton Care Home resident Ruby Morris with her daughter Picture: Cheriton Care Home

"We know just how special visits are for our residents and their loved ones, but they’re also much appreciated by our care home teams, who love nothing more than welcoming families and friends through the doors.

"I’m sure that there will be plenty of smiling, happy faces in the coming days and weeks; and we’re all looking forward to seeing babies and children coming into our Cheriton Care Home again."

Cheriton Care Home, on Weymouth Avenue, is run by independent provider Agincare, which operates 21 care homes nationwide from its base on Portland.

Chief Operating Officer of Agincare Care Homes Tim Buckley said: "Everyone at Agincare is passionate about making visits happen, so we welcome the latest announcement as a further step towards more and more people visiting in the future as we hope restrictions continue to ease.

"Throughout the pandemic we have proudly continued to welcome visitors by working with residents, their families and care home managers to find safe solutions wherever possible, depending on individual circumstances."

Elaine Farrer, operations director at Colten Care, which owns and runs 12 homes in Dorset, said: "We welcome the opportunity for greater visiting afforded by the latest easing of restrictions.

"We have approached the question of visiting with caution throughout the pandemic, working within the official guidelines at all times.

"We hope that a route out of lockdown will mean we can begin to welcome back more community visitors, as well as families and friends, so that residents can continue their often long-standing links and interests in the communities served by our homes."