Thank you for supporting our decision to continue testing before coming into our care homes. Tests this past month have continued to successfully pick up infections prior to spread in the care home. 

We will therefore keep testing in place for one more month until the end of April which will coincide with the spring booster programme which will be available to all residents, giving those who choose to have the booster, additional protection from infection. As before, if we detect positive tests, masks will be put back in place until the risk of infection has subsided.

In summary, we’ll continue with our two-step approach for care homes that do experience infections, which will be likely from time to time:

1. If positive cases are detected - masks and testing for staff and visitors

2. Once no positive cases are detected - no masks, with precautionary testing for a month

Until the end of April:

1. Staff and visitors are no longer required to wear masks in WCS homes except in the following circumstances:
   • when experiencing Covid-like symptoms (but testing negative) courtesy mask wearing will be requested until symptoms have passed/coughing or sneezing has stopped (please see overleaf)
   • an individual chooses to wear a mask
   • during an outbreak in the home
   • a resident requests a mask is worn when receiving personal care
2. LFD 72-hour testing for staff will continue to the end of April
3. Precautionary 72-hour LFD testing for visitors (we can provide tests) will continue to the end of April
4. Visitors not wishing/unable to take a test will be offered visits in pods or private rooms and asked to avoid communal areas where there are other vulnerable residents

The removal of masks is based on constantly reviewed risk assessments.

We’ve enjoyed seeing the faces of visitors and colleagues again, and would again, thank you for your continued support over the next few weeks as we move towards ending systematic testing at the end of April to coincide with the benefits of the booster programme and warmer weather.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to speak to your home’s management team.