The move, announced on Saturday, has now come into effect.
However, they must follow social distancing and be accompanied by a member of staff throughout – or one of the two people who are their nominated visitors.
Some rules remain unchanged. Those attending medical appointments and going for overnight visits will still be subject to a 14-day isolation period.
They won’t be allowed to meet in groups, and can only go indoors for the use of toilets, or to cast a vote in the upcoming local elections.
The change comes after a campaign by family members, who had threatened legal action against the government unless the blanket requirements were dropped.
Nicci Gerrard, co-founder of John’s Campaign, said: “Why did this rule ever exist in the first place – depriving people of their liberty, turning care homes into prison, treating one group of people with such cruelty?”
Fellow co-founder Julia Jones added: “It should never have been considered permissible to confine adult members of society, without their consent (or those who speak for them) merely because their address happens to be that of a care home.”
The Department of Health and Social Care has said the self-isolation requirements that remain in place for care home residents will be reviewed again when the next stage of the government’s roadmap is reached on 17 May.
Data suggests 95% of elderly residents have received one dose of a coronavirus vaccine, while 71% have received two.
According to NHS England, more than nine in 10 people over the age of 45 have now received at least one dose of a Covid vaccine – with 120,000 appointments booked before 9am on Friday as vaccines opened up to those aged 40 and 41.
