EVERYONE attending the hospitals, treatment centres, and clinics of St Helens and Knowsley Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust is required to wear a face covering or mask from this week.
The request follows evidence from the Government’s Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies that covering your mouth and nose could help reduce transmission risk among those suffering from coronavirus but not showing symptoms.
All staff, including those in non-clinical areas such as offices and the hospitals’ shops, are now required to wear surgical masks at all times, while patients must wear a face covering. This can be something as simple as a scarf or bandanna that ties behind the head to give a snug fit.
Alongside wearing a face covering, people attending hospital settings are asked to:
• Clean their hands often, or use hand sanitiser if soap and water is not available
• Follow social distancing measures by staying at least 2m apart
Dr Peter Williams, Deputy Medical Director said: “As increasing numbers of people start to access NHS services again, it’s more important than ever that we all take measures to protect our patients, visitors, and staff and help further prevent the spread of coronavirus in our communities.
“Covering your mouth and nose is a necessary practice to enable us to help do this, alongside washing your hands often, particularly on entering and leaving a hospital, and following social distancing measures.
“We’d urge people intending to come into a hospital or clinic setting to plan ahead and have a face covering with them ready to wear and play their part in helping us to stay safe and protect everyone.”
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