The Government has released updated guidance on 30 January 2023, in relation to PPE for adult social care If you work in adult social care services or settings, you should wear the correct PPE for your work which includes
- Providing care for someone with suspected or confirmed COVID-19.
- Providing care or a doing a domestic task that involves potential contact with blood or body fluids for someone who does not have suspected or confirmed COVID-19.
- Caring for someone who does not have suspected or confirmed COVID-19 and contact with blood or body fluids is not likely.
- Carrying out domestic duties for someone who does not have suspected or confirmed COVID-19, or having general social contact with them, in a care setting
Care workers do not need to wear a face mask at all times. However, there are a number of circumstances where it is recommended that you wear a mask to minimise the risk of transmission of COVID-19, including:
- if the person being cared for is known or suspected to have COVID-19, such as having a high-temperature or other symptoms (recommended PPE: type IIR fluid-repellent surgical mask)
- if the member of staff or visitor lives in the same household or has had overnight contact with someone who has had a positive test result for COVID-19 (see the advice for close contacts of people who’ve tested positive for COVID-19 in the guidance People with symptoms of a respiratory infection including COVID-19)
Additionally, if the care recipient would prefer you to wear a mask while providing them with care, then this should be supported.
Providers, service users, staff, families and other stakeholders can find further information here: COVID-19 PPE guide for adult social care services and settings – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)