Families with relatives in care homes have been told that the new lockdown rules mean no hugs are allowed when they visit loved ones.

All close-contact indoor visits in care homes will not be allowed to take place across England during the new coronavirus lockdown, in what has been called a “terrible blow” for residents.

There are, however, visits allowed where residents are behind screens, in pods and through windows, according to lockdown guidance published by the Cabinet Office on Monday evening.

This has been the case for care homes in Tier 4 areas up until now.

Care homes in areas with lower transmission rates have been able to use rapid result coronavirus tests to help them enable close-contact visits.

Care homes with outbreaks will not be able to receive visitors, the new guidance says.

However, visits under exceptional circumstances, such as end-of-life visits, will be able to continue in all circumstances.

The guidance also says that any residents leaving their care home for a visit to see friends and family will not be able to meet them indoors, for example in the family home.

The official Government guidance here says : “Visits to care homes can take place with arrangements such as substantial screens, visiting pods, or behind windows. Close-contact indoor visits are not allowed.

“No visits will be permitted in the event of an outbreak.

“You should check the guidance on  visiting care homes during COVID-19  to find out how visits should be conducted.

“Residents cannot meet people indoors on a visit out (for example, to visit their relatives in the family home).”

Vic Rayner, executive director of the National Care Forum, which represents not-for-profit providers, said: “The move away from close-contact visits is a terrible blow for residents across the country.

“However it is very important and positive that visiting remains firmly on the agenda and homes across the country will be working hard with loved ones to ensure wherever possible visits can continue.

“When we emerge from this lockdown it is imperative that we put care home residents’ needs at the top of our priority list and ensure meaningful visits can resume.”