Visits to care homes could be allowed to resume soon - even before residents receive their second doses of the Covid-19 vaccine.

Speaking to Sky News this morning, Faversham and Mid Kent MP and Social Care minister Helen Whately said she is "determined" to restart face-to-face visits as the UK's third national lockdown eases.

"I don't see that we have to wait for the second vaccination dose," she said. "I want us to open up sooner than that."

"But I will say with this, as with generally when we come out of lockdown, we do have to be cautious.

"Most residents in care homes have only had their first dose, some of them only very recently.

"So it will be step-by-step, but I am determined."

During the third lockdown, people have been allowed to visit care homes where it is safe to do so.

Government guidance says such visits should take place either in a distanced setting outdoors - which has been largely impossible due to the cold weather - or through a screen.

Mrs Whately acknowledged that having to view loved ones through screens, windows and visiting pods has not been "the normal kind of visiting".

The Prime Minister is due to reveal his lockdown exit strategy on Monday.

Mrs Whately says she hopes that following the lockdown, there will be a return of face-to-face visits, with guests wearing PPE to help protect care home residents.

"Even if it's to be able to hold hands again, and see somebody you haven't been able to say very much in the last year - I really want to make that happen again," she said.

Last week, 96-year-old Dick Barton told KentOnline about his life in a care home during lockdown - including how he thought he would die after catching Covid, and how Zoom calls have been his saviour in a world of growing isolation.

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