Share Meanwhile, draconian visiting restrictions mean many of the UK’s 400,000 care home residents are still struggling to see loved ones. Since ‘Freedom Day’ on Monday, residents have been allowed unlimited visitors as long as they test negative and wear PPE. But infection-control procedures mean the best most families can hope for is a pre-booked 30-minute visit once a week. Some have the time measured by an egg-timer. Government guidelines also state visitors should be banned for two weeks if any staff or residents test positive for Covid. With cases rising, growing numbers of homes are once again shutting their doors.