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Help us keep your loved ones safe: wear a mask
Patients and visitors to the Trust's hospitals and clinics must continue to wear face masks and observe social distancing rules from 19 July, when national lockdown rules ease.
While restrictions are being eased in some public places, strict infection control measures need to be followed in healthcare settings. This will reduce the risk of vulnerable people from becoming infected and help prevent Covid -19 outbreaks.
In addition to wearing a face mask, patients and visitors must practice social distancing and are being urged to wash their hands regularly. We also still need to restrict access to patients and visitors and to limit the number of people accompanying patients to most appointments.
Trust executive chief nurse Sue Wilkinson said: "There are several reasons for taking this approach. New cases of Covid-19 are rising again and the virus still presents a real and current threat. While vaccination offers significant protection against the worst effects of the virus, it does not offer a 100% guarantee against catching it or passing it on.
"Our patients are often extremely vulnerable, and the nature of our work means that our staff are also at greater risk of contracting the virus. We have a duty to protect both our patients and the people that care for them."
Health minister and MP for Bury St Edmunds Jo Churchill said: “Face coverings have played an important role in healthcare settings, helping protect vulnerable patients, staff and visitors by limiting the spread of this deadly disease and this guidance remains in place.
“We expect patients, visitors and NHS staff to continue using face coverings and maintain social distancing in all healthcare settings as we cautiously lift restrictions on Monday. I urge everyone to play their part and think of those more vulnerable than you when visiting your local hospital or GP surgery.”
- For further details of current restrictions, please see our visiting pages.
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