Care homes are advising family and friends to minimise visits to help protect residents from coronavirus.

Barchester Healthcare has homes in Newington, near Sittingbourne, City Way, Rochester, Wouldham, Willesborough, near Ashford, Herne Bay and Sevenoaks.

A statement on the company's website said: "As a preventative measure we are asking visitors, including family members and friends, to minimise visits to our care homes and hospitals until further notice.

"Therefore we are asking you to restrict your visits to a minimum in order to keep your loved ones, and all our other residents, as safe as possible.

"We have not taken this decision lightly, and appreciate that this may cause some discomfort, but feel that this is a necessary step to take."

It says it has cancelled visits from community groups and entertainment "for the foreseeable future".

"Our staff will do all they can to ensure that life in our services remains as comfortable and sociable as possible," the company said.

"We will still ensure that vital medical visits are made, and our staff will ensure that any visitors that do come into the home are not displaying any symptoms and that they thoroughly wash their hands on entering the home."

It also warns: "In the unfortunate situation that we do have a case in one of our homes or hospitals we will need to stop all visiting completely and we will keep you informed accordingly."

Barchester has more than 11,000 residents and 200 homes in the UK, including specialist dementia units, such as one at Falcon Court at Newington Court Care Home.

It also runs Friston House in Rochester, Winchester House in Wouldham, Herne Place in Herne Bay, Ashminster House in Willesborough and Emily Jackson House in Sevenoaks.

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