All patients, visitors and staff must continue to wear face masks and maintain social distancing when they come to Hull’s hospitals from next week.

Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust is advising people that they must wear face masks and keep two metres apart from others at all times in all hospital buildings.

Visiting restrictions will also remain in place, although they will be reviewed regularly by senior staff.

Chief Executive Chris Long said: “We thank the public who have followed our restrictions since the start of the pandemic and we thank them again for their cooperation now.

“Our priority remains the safety of our staff and patients and the need to stop the spread of Covid-19 throughout our hospitals.

“The virus is still circulating in our community and we are once again seeing a rise in hospital admissions, reflecting increasing infection rates in Hull and surrounding towns and villages.

“Restrictions will remain in force for now although we’ll be keeping them under constant review to make changes as soon as it’s safe to do so.”

The advice from Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust comes after England’s Chief Nurse Ruth May reminded the public that everyone accessing or visiting healthcare settings must continue to wear a face covering and follow social distancing rules.

She 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 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.”