Lifting of COVID restrictions – what it means at our hospitals

It’s really important that we do all we can to continue to keep our staff, patients and visitors safe so, from today, Thursday 24 February, all safety measures will remain in place across our hospitals.

• This means that any patients, visitors or staff must wear a Type 2R surgical face mask unless exempt, must ensure they are socially distancing and should maintain regular hand washing. Masks are available at entrances and exits to all our facilities.
• Any patients who are attending hospital for an appointment must take a lateral flow test (LFD) in advance. Further guidance about how this will be impacted after lateral flows are less available in April will follow.
• Visitors are also encouraged to take a lateral flow test before coming to our hospitals. Areas such as maternity have individual guidance for lateral flow testing, see our website for details.
• Visiting restrictions will also remain in place, this currently means that a visitor can visit for one hour a day but must book the visit in advance. Full visiting guidance, including when not to visit, is available on our website. There are some exceptional circumstances to the visiting guidance such as for patients receiving end of life care.
• It is essential that you do not visit healthcare facilities if you have tested positive for COVID or have any COVID symptoms
• Healthcare staff who have tested positive for COVID-19 will not attend work until they have had two negative LFD test results, returning on day 6 at the earliest.

Details at: england.nhs.uk/coronavirus/publication/living-with-covid-19-white-paper-update/