Care homes in Scotland are set to allow visitors in for the first time this year.
Families have been unable to visit loved ones living in care homes since 2020, with regular visits halted due to the surge in coronavirus cases amid the second wave.
From today, however, residents can have two designated visitors each.
Each designated visitor will be able to see their relative once a week, the Scottish Government says, due to the progress of the vaccination programme.
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Care home deaths have dropped dramatically since the roll out of the vaccine, falling 62% in the last three weeks.
Meanwhile, almost all residents have now received the first dose of the vaccine, as well as 92% of care home staff.
The government says that with the extra protection in place, the greater risk to residents' wellbeing is from a lack of family contact.
Visitors will be "strongly recommended" to take a coronavirus test on-site and will have to wear PPE.
Cathie Russell, who has been campaigning with the Care Home Relatives Scotland group, said: "We look forward to working with care home providers, public health and oversight teams to ensure that the new guidance allows residents to enjoy meaningful contact with their closest relatives and friends once more."
