Residents at Morel Court Care Home in Penarth send messages of love to their families during the lockdown of the premises due to the threat of coronavirus spreading amongst their most vulnerable residents.

Currently, no family members can visit those in Morel Court Care Home unless it is in certain exceptional circumstances.

A staff member said: ''Obviously, it isn't very nice being told that your family and loved ones can't come in to visit you, so we're trying to think of innovative ways to allow them to stay in contact with each other.

''This was just one idea, being able to put these photos on our Facebook page that all of the resident's families use to keep in the loop as a bit of a surprise for them the next time they check it.

''We've also set up a home Skype account on our in-house tablets and computers that families can use to ring and be able to see and speak to the residents on which has gone down quite well also.''

A spokesperson for MHA said: ''As part of MHA's response to coronavirus (Covid-19), we are moving to the next stage of our response and placing further restrictions on visitors to our care homes as from noon on Wednesday 18 March 2020.

''This is a fast-moving situation with advice changing on a regular basis.

''The latest advice means that, sadly, we will only allow visits to our residents in exceptional circumstances. Please speak to your home manager if you feel these exceptional circumstances apply to your loved one. We will be making sure that, wherever possible, visits to our homes by health personnel are maintained.

''Sadly, we have also taken the decision that all of our Live at Home services are to be paused at this time, apart from those who currently receive our telephone befriending service.

''Suspending activities apart from telephone befriending gives us time to review how we can support members on a case-by-case basis going forward. We are committed to supporting the efforts to delay the spread of coronavirus but to also work with other charities, local authorities, funders and partners to ensure that the needs of our members and older local people are being met.

''These have been difficult decisions for us to make but we have done it for the safety of our residents and members. Please be assured we are doing all we can to make sure people are cared for and supported for at this time.

''Sadly, we know that some residents and members are at serious risk should they become ill as a result of contracting the virus, and we will put every effort into supporting family members and friends should this happen over the coming weeks and months.

''This is an unprecedented situation and as a society we will need to come together even more as a community. We will, therefore, remain open to considering welcoming new residents to our communities.

''MHA's chaplaincy service is offering a 24 hour support service for relatives. If you would like to speak to a chaplain, please call 07545 652393 and leave a message. A chaplain will call you back within 24 hours.

''As we would do in normal circumstances, we would ask relatives, friends and professionals not to visit a home or scheme if you are feeling unwell, particularly if you have a cough, a fever, or high temperature, or shortness of breath.

''We would also ask you not to visit if you have recently been abroad, or been in close contact with someone who has, particularly if you, a partner, or a dependent have recently returned from a Category 1 or Category 2 country as defined on the NHS website.''