The restriction measures to prevent Omicron infections in England’s care homes will be lifted on Monday, 47 days after they were brought in. The government made the announcement on Thursday, as most society-wide legal restrictions are no longer in place. From Jan. 31, the limit on the number of visitors allowed into care homes will be removed, self-isolation periods will be shortened, and the duration care homes have to follow outbreak management rules will be halved to 14 days. The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) hailed a vaccination “booster success” as the reason that the measures can be lifted. Since Dec. 15, 2021, care home residents have been limited to having one nominated essential caregiver and up to three regular visitors. All staff and essential caregivers had to take weekly PCR tests and at least three lateral flow device (LFD) tests, and other visitors were required to take an LFD test on …