Salisbury Hospital will continue with social distancing and mask wearing after Monday, in line with Public Health England guidelines issued yesterday (July 15).

On Monday (July 19), the legal requirement to wear face masks and social distance in public places will be dropped in England.

Boris Johnson urged the public in his speech this week to remain cautious of Covid-19, and take a pragmatic approach to mask wearing and social distancing.

Although restrictions end in many settings on Monday, they are to continue in healthcare sites across the region.

Patients, visitors and staff in Salisbury Hospital will be required to continue wearing masks and social distancing.

A spokesperson said: "Although Covid-19 restrictions end in many settings in England on Monday, in line with Public Health England guidelines, our hospital will continue with current measures requiring all staff, patients and visitors to continue face mask wearing, social distancing and hand hygiene.

"This is designed to keep us all safe - patients, visitors and staff."

The Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire Clinical Commissioning Group says the measures will continue in healthcare environments.

GP practices, hospitals, pharmacies and many other healthcare environments will continue to ask visitors to wear a face covering, as well as to observe the one-metre-plus rule when interacting with others inside.

Gill May, Director of Nursing and Quality, said: “Throughout the pandemic, health and social care services have done all they can to make their environments as safe as possible for all patients and staff, and this will continue from Monday.

“From this date, our health and care settings will ask patients to continue to wear a face covering, practice social distancing and use hand sanitiser, while also advising that staff continue to wear PPE.

“These measures that we have all become so used to over the last year will help to not only protect those who are clinically vulnerable but also provide reassurance to people who are currently feeling anxious about restrictions being lifted.

“Our public have been right behind the NHS throughout the duration of this awful pandemic, and we really hope that the people of Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire will continue to show their support as we move forward.”

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