Patients and visitors to healthcare sites are being reminded that masks and social distancing measures will continue after so called Freedom Day on the 19th July 2021.
Patients and visitors to local hospitals and other healthcare settings are being reminded that they must continue to wear a face covering and follow social distancing rules, despite COVID-19 restrictions ending in many settings from Monday 19 July.
Deborah Kelly, Chief Nurse, Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust, said: “It is really important that we protect our vulnerable patients and stop them from being put at additional risk. We also have a duty of care to protect our staff and keep them as safe as possible. COVID-19 has not gone away and it is vital that we all continue to do our bit to keep each other safe.
“Our patients, staff, visitors and communities have given us fantastic support over the past eighteen months and have responded brilliantly in responding to the changes we have had to make, often at very short notice, to visiting, access to services and how services are provided. We are deeply thankful for their support, understanding and kindness.
“We are asking that people continue to support us by
- Wearing a mask in our hospitals, clinics and buildings unless exempt
- Observing social distancing on all our sites and in all our hospitals, clinics and buildings
- Using the hand sanitizing stations at our entrances and continuing to wash hands regularly
- Attending hospital or clinic appointments alone, unless there are exceptional circumstances
- Respecting our current visiting arrangements – please speak to the relevant ward manager if you have concerns
“By continuing with these actions you can help us protect our most vulnerable patients, reduce footfall across our services and keep everyone as safe as possible.”
Please note: Public Health England’s infection prevention control guidelines and hospital visiting guidance remain in place for all staff and visitors.
