Media Release
Date: 16 July 2021
COVID-19 restrictions to remain in place at RUH
All current COVID-19 guidelines will remain in place at the Royal United Hospital's Bath NHS Foundation Trust from Monday 19 July, when Covid restrictions are removed in England.
There will be no change for patients, visitors and staff at the RUH.
This means that everyone on the hospital site will still be expected to wear a facemask - unless they are medically exempt or are a young child - which is in line with NHS and Public Health England guidance for healthcare settings.
All staff will also continue to wear masks as well as all necessary PPE.
Current visiting restrictions will remain in place. Visitors and patients will still be expected to sanitise their hands on arrival, follow the one-way system in the hospital's Atrium, maintain a two-metre social distance and keep to the left when walking along the hospital's corridors.
All visitors and outpatients are also being encouraged to take a lateral flow COVID-19 test before they come to the hospital, to make sure they are not asymptomatic. Anyone with symptoms should not come on site.
RUH Chief Nurse Toni Lynch said: "From Monday, Covid restrictions will be removed in England, but it's important that our patients and visitors know there will be no changes to the RUH's COVID-19 guidance.
"That means we expect everyone on site to wear a facemask while inside the hospital and to make sure they sanitise their hands every time they enter one of our hospital buildings.
"We will continue to have infection control stations at each of our entrances where you can find masks and hand gel.
"Our number one priority is to make sure everyone on the hospital site is safe and we believe the best way to do that is to keep all the practices we've put in place during the pandemic to reduce the risk of spreading infection.
"To further reduce the risk of infection, we will be keeping our current visiting guidance in place, which helps to reduce the number of people on the hospital site and means the most vulnerable can continue to safely attend hospital.
"We are also asking anyone who will be coming to the hospital to take a lateral flow test beforehand, to check they are not asymptomatic.
"I would like to thank all our patients and visitors for their understanding. We know that wearing a mask can be uncomfortable, particularly in warm weather, but by following this guidance you are doing your bit to help keep everyone on the hospital site safe."
Chief Nursing Officer for England, Ruth May, said: "Face coverings and social distancing measures will remain in place across healthcare settings so that the most vulnerable people can continue to safely attend hospital, their GP surgery, pharmacy or any other healthcare settings for advice, care and treatment.
"And it is important for the public to continue to play their part when visiting NHS and care settings to help protect our staff and patients, particularly those who may be more vulnerable to infections.
"As restrictions are lifted in many places on Monday everyone has a part to play in helping to control the Covid by getting vaccinated and acting responsibly.
"It is vital that in healthcare settings, we do all we can to reduce the risk of infection for those working in our services and those who need our care."
The latest visiting information is available on our website here:
ENDS