Do I need to wear a face mask to visit a care home?

It is no longer a requirement for visitors to care homes to wear face masks, unless the care home specifically asks you to.

During the pandemic, face masks became the norm. Even after restrictions lifted in most public places, care homes continued to be cautious and ask visitors to wear face masks.

In the wake of the pandemic, care homes remain vigilant in their practices to help maintain the safety and wellbeing of residents, staff and visitors. 

England

It is no longer a legal requirement to wear face coverings in care homes in England. Guidance recommends staff and visitors to wear them in certain situations. 

Visitors

Visitors to care homes in England no longer need to wear face masks. However, they may be asked to wear one in certain situations by the individual care home. For example, if the resident they are visiting is suspected to have Covid. 

If you are a named ‘essential visitor’ during a Covid outbreak who provides personal care to your loved one in a care home, you will need to wear the same PPE as the staff when delivering this care.

These are Government guidelines only. It is at the discretion of the care home as to when and where in the care home they require you to wear a mask.

Staff

Care home staff no longer need to routinely wear face masks during their shift, but there are specific situations where they may continue to do so.

These include:

• If the resident has, or is suspected to have, Covid.
• If the care setting is in an outbreak.

The individual care home will continue to decide what is most practical, taking into account the risk of infection and the needs of the residents. For example if a resident is particularly vulnerable to Covid, then the staff may recommend face masks.

Visiting professionals

Visiting professionals, such as medical professionals, entertainers and religious leaders,no longer have to wear face masks at all times. Again, they should follow the advice of the individual care home as well as considering the needs of residents. 

Scotland

Visitors

As of 14 December 2022, you no longer need to wear a face mask when visiting a care home in Scotland, unless the care home says otherwise. If you would prefer to continue wearing a mask during your visits, then you should be supported by care home staff at all times.

Care homes in Scotland continue to prioritise the safety of residents, staff and visitors. It’s important to communicate with individual care homes to make sure you are aware of their guidance. 

Staff 

Under the same revised guidance, care home staff no longer need to wear a face mask during their shifts.

If a person receiving care would prefer care givers to wear a mask, then this should be supported. Care homes may adjust the guidance, such as during the case of an outbreak in the care home. 

Visiting professionals

Visiting professionals are required to follow the same guidance as social care staff when visiting a care home. This means they are not required to wear a face mask during visits, but they may choose to do so for personal preference, and they should wear a mask if the person receiving care would prefer for them to do so. 

Wales

It is not a legal requirement for visitors to care homes in Wales to wear face coverings. However, care homes are required by the Care Inspectorate Wales to take a risk-assessed approach to their infection prevention and control measures.

Visitors

As of December 2022, individual care homes an use their own judgement around face mask guidance. Although it is no longer a legal requirement, a care home may ask you to continue to wear a face mask. This might be due to an outbreak or if a resident is particularly vulnerable. 

If you are an ‘essential visitor’, you may need to wear the same PPE as the care home staff. This depends on the role you play in your loved one’s care, for example if you deliver personal care. This is to be agreed with the care home.

Staff

It is up to care homes to risk-assess whether their staff should wear masks or not when the home is not in an outbreak of Covid. Staff may continue to wear face masks when carrying out some of their care duties, such as personal care, and they should wear a face mask for the duration of an outbreak of Covid within the home.

Visiting professionals

Care homes will risk-assess when and where visiting professionals should wear face masks.

Northern Ireland

Visitors

It is not a legal requirement for visitors to wear face masks in care homes in Northern Ireland.

In certain circumstances, such as if there is a Covid outbreak in a care home, the guidelines might be amended.