People living in a Whitley Bay care home have welcomed changing Covid rules that mean they can have as many visitors as they want - but they've also slammed the "hypocrisy" of Government figures like Boris Johnson and Dominic Cummings.
in her room at the Eothen in Whitley Bay for the first time, and sitting having a cup of tea together the pair reflected on how it marked "a return to normality".
Vera, 90, is registered blind - and the former environmental activist is hoping greater freedom will enable her to get more involved with local support groups.
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However, both Robin and Vera said they felt people living in care homes had been overlooked for "too long", and they highlighted parties in 10 Downing Street and Dominic Cummings' infamous trip to Barnard Castle to "check his eyesight" as examples of how others had not been following the rules when they had.
Speaking to ChronicleLive, Vera said: "I have a son who lives in South London, and when I'm talking to him I can at least imagine where he is but Robin here has not been able to see where I live properly until now. It will make such a difference.
"It will make things much easier for me, much better.
"The more we can relate to our community and our families, the more we feel that we're still part of the world."
Vera's nephew Robin said: "It's about time really. It's probably fair to say it's been pushed and it's taken far too long.
"One of the things that's particularly difficult has been we have had politicians not behaving properly - with Barnard Castle visits to test your eyesight or people having parties when we've not been able to visit like this."
He said he was concerned that the sacrifices made by ordinary people had not been matched elsewhere, but he added: "At least we can get on with stuff now."
Dawn Esslemont, manager of the care home, added: "It's lovely for the residents to have the restrictions lifted so they're not just looking forward to seeing their three named visitors but can see all of their family and friends at their home again. Because this is their home and we're always keen to highlight that.
"And for me it's also about the residents being able to go out and about and come back without having had to do a lateral flow test every day. It's such a boost for their wellbeing."
However Dawn said it was key to remember Covid wasn't over - and added: "It hasn't gone away and the most important factor for me remains the safety of all of our residents. Obviously it's been discussed in the media that we've no longer got any restrictions.
"But we've not had any official guidance. So we're continuing with all of the screening that we carry out."
She said it had been "incredibly tough" for the people living at Eothen, adding: "These residents are at a stage of life where they have often lots of friends - and they have probably lost touch with them over the last two years.
"It will be lovely for them to welcome visitors back to their home.
"It's a great step in the right direction. But it's up to me to keep our residents safe and we'll be continuing to do what we have to to do that."
