VISTING restrictions are to be relaxed at Mid and South Essex Hospitals as Covid cases continue to fall.

Patients will now be able to see their loved ones are visitors are welcomed back onto the wards from Thursday, February 17.

This covers all Mid and South Essex Hospitals under the Trust as Covid cases continue to fall in the UK, which includes Southend and Basildon Hospital.

Patients will now be able to see one visitor for one hour a day.

A spokesman for the Mid and South Essex NHS Trust said: “Patients will be able to see one visitor for an hour a day.

“To keep people as safe as possible, it will have to be the same visitor every day, and they will need to book in with the ward ahead of their visit.

“Visitors are also being asked to take a lateral flow test before coming to the hospital.

“Everyone in hospital needs to wear a mask, and anyone wearing their own fabric face covering should change it for a clean and fresh surgical face mask when they arrive.”

This change does not affect visiting arrangements for end-of-life care, maternity and paediatric patients as the arrangements for these areas are unchanged.

For all the rules and safety precautions for visitors, visit https://www.mse.nhs.uk/coronavirus-covid-19?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery