NHS bosses in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland (LLR) are reminding the public that they will still need to wear a mask or face covering in healthcare settings, including vaccination sites.

Lincolnshire faces similar continued guidance in its health settings, despite the government planning to ease many Covid-19 related restrictions on 'Freedom Day' Monday July 19.

Caroline Trevithick, Chief Nurse for the three LLR Clinical Commissioning Groups, said: "Although most covid restrictions will end in the community from Monday, we need to take extra precautions in healthcare settings. Your GP practice is working hard for you and wants to keep you safe and confident when attending the surgery, and this is also about protecting others.

"When you visit your GP practice, you can help keep our staff and our most vulnerable patients safe by continuing to follow the simple precautions that we are all now familiar with. You must wear a mask or face covering, sanitise your hands and maintain social distancing."

Avinash Hiremath, Medical Director of Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust (LPT), said: It is important for everyone to know that the guidance for healthcare settings is not the same as it is for our outside, social or home lives. We care for vulnerable and unwell people in close contact.

"It is our responsibility as health and care professionals to keep everyone safe and reduce transmissions, and that includes visitors abiding by our rules when they come into our sites. The pandemic is not over. Cases across the UK are currently rising, as are hospitalisations. We must all act carefully to manage the risks to ourselves and others."

Until further notice, there is no change at LPT or Leicester's Hospitals to the requirements for face coverings and mask-wearing, social distancing including room/site capacity, PPE, hand washing and other infection prevention and control measures for staff and visitors.

This means that the following measures will remain in place at LPT and Leicester's Hospital to protect staff and patients:

Visiting restrictions as outlined on the websites:

Maintaining social distancing

Andrew Furlong, medical director at Leicester's Hospitals, said: "We care for some of the sickest and most vulnerable patients in the city and county so it's vital we do all we can to protect them.

"There will be no change in our hospitals after 19 July – if you are entering our hospitals you will need to wear a face covering and maintain social distancing. By following the rules, you can play an important role in keeping our patients, staff and local community safe."

The local NHS is also asking everyone aged 18 or over to make sure they are fully vaccinated, with two vaccine doses.

Caroline Trevithick said: "The vaccine is the best defence we have against the Covid-19 virus and you will not only protect yourself, but you'll be helping us to reduce the spread of the virus. There is a range of options for getting the vaccine, including drop-in clinics taking place across LLR up to the end of July. Please don't delay having your vaccine."

Full details of all the options for getting the covid vaccine wherever you live in LLR can be found online at: https://bit.ly/GetVaxxedLLR