Scottish Health Secretary Jeane Freeman has announced that some Scottish care homes will be able to go ahead with a "cautious return to visiting" as well as communal activities.
Speaking live from Holyrood the Health Secretary confirmed that care homes will be allowed to permit visitors if they have had "no covid cases or been covid free for 28 days."
Care homes that fit this criteria will be able to receive visitors from 3 July, however, they must meet outside.
Care home residents will will only be able to see one nominated visitor who will be required to wear a facemask and stay 2 metres away at all times during the visit
Jeane Freeman said: "Currently and for some time only essential visits to care homes have been permitted
"I know that these necessary restrictions that were placed on care homes and the pause on normal activities and routine have been both difficult and at times distressing for people living in care homes, for their loved ones and for the staff
"The decision to restrict visitors was not taken lightly, it was informed by scientific and clinical advice and was taken to protect those working and living in care homes and visitors from the risk of infection
"But significant improvements have been made...we can now see a phased and cautious return to visiting in care homes."
