Visits to care homes across North and South Uist have been suspended due to a Covid-19 outbreak.
The decision has been made by Western Isles Council to protect residents within care facilities whilst efforts are made to curb the spread of the virus.
A local authority spokesman said: “In light of the Covid-19 transmission rate across Uist, care home visiting has been suspended across both North and South Uist.
“This will be reviewed on a weekly basis with visiting being reinstated at the earliest opportunity.”
In other parts of the Western Isles, each care home resident is being permitted a single, dedicated visitor.
The council has stressed this is being undertaken as “a precautionary measure”.
The spokesman added: “For Barra, Harris and Lewis, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar is reverting to having a single, dedicated visitor for each resident across its care homes.
“This is a precautionary measure, as although there is no evidence of sustained transmission across these three areas, the service does want to ensure it strikes the right balance of protecting residents from the potential risk of Covid entering the care home whilst also allowing residents to retain critical family and social connections.
“We will review this arrangement as and when circumstances dictate – i.e. it is evident that the transmission rate is increasing or there is no evident transmission.
“Again, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar thanks residents and families for their continued support and patience.”