With rumours swirling around whether Greater Manchester will move into Tier 3 of the new warning systems, Liberal Democrat Councillor Sam Al-Hamdani is backing calls for local and national Government to ensure that “window visits” and end-of-life visiting rules are revised to ensure that families get to ensure the care and emotional support that they need.

Window visits are conducted on care homes where families are on the grounds, and their relatives stay indoors – they can see each other and hold a real conversation, but the windows reduce the risk of passing on infections.

Councillor Al-Hamdani said: “I have spoken to local residents who have not been able to offer grandparents the support and love that they need. I absolutely agree with the need to control this virus, but we need to be conscious of the impact that it is having on people’s mental health and wellbeing.

“Where we can find approaches that stop transmission, and allow people to carry on with their lives as best they can, we must do so. Care homes have been hotspots for infections, and it is crucial that we minimise any chance of infections as the most vulnerable people to this disease are there, but we must also find ways of ensuring that they can get the support of their families at the same time.”

A GM-wide policy is being put together addressing window visits and end-of-life visits, to ensure that families get the support that they need.