Hands. Face. Space. Let’s continue to keep our hospitals safe

15 July 2021

England’s chief nurse has reminded the public that everyone accessing or visiting healthcare settings must continue to wear a face covering and follow social distancing rules.

We know that Covid restrictions will end in many settings in England from Monday 19 July. This does not change for NHS buildings – meaning everyone accessing or visiting the Royal Free London’s hospitals or our community sites must continue to wear a face covering and follow social distancing rules to help stop the spread of coronavirus.

Public Health England’s infection prevention control guidelines and hospital visiting guidance will remain in place for all staff and visitors and we kindly ask you to observe our rules and continue to wear a face covering for the benefit of our patients and for our staff who are working incredibly hard at this time. Anyone entering our buildings without a face covering will be offered a surgical face mask to wear. Everyone has a part to play in helping to control Covid by acting responsibly and helping to protect our staff and patients, particularly those who may be more vulnerable to infections.

Our staff are doing their best in difficult circumstances, please be respectful towards them if they ask you to wear a face covering, observe social distancing or wash/gel your hands.

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 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.”