The Department of Health has introduced new safety measures for care home residents which only allow three visitors and a designated carer "to balance the current Covid-19 risk and the need to keep people safe".
Staff will have to take three lateral flow tests a week as well as a weekly PCR test under the new guidance.
The Health Secretary Sajid Javid said more booster jabs and fewer care home visitors "will help keep the most vulnerable people in our society safe from the virus this winter".
It is unclear whether visitors will have to visit separately or be allowed to visit together. Care homes will be expected to close to visitors if a case of the Omicron COVID variant is detected.
Fully vaccinated residents visiting family and friends outside of care homes will need to take a lateral flow test on alternate days for two weeks after each visit. Unvaccinated residents will have to isolate following an outside visit. Read the government guidance here.