Campaigners reacted angrily after a major report warned that many residents were still unable to have visitors.
The National Care Forum (NCF) said local authorities were locked in disputes with ministers over the accuracy of rapid tests.
The Government is rolling out millions of lateral flow tests to care homes, but several local authorities are advising against their use because they are not as accurate as alternative PCR tests.
Peter Vann was overcome with emotion when he was able to hug wife Carole for the first time in 12 months (pictured)
Care home managers said visitors are being ‘left out in the cold’ as managers are ‘stuck’ between two different sets of advice over whether to allow indoor visits.