Hospital bosses have confirmed visitors must continue to wear a face mask next week, despite lockdown rules ending on Monday.

The Mid and South Essex Hospitals trust says other rules on social distancing and hand sanitising will also remain in place.

The Government will remove the legal requirement to follow social distancing and face mask rules from Monday as part of the final easing of lockdown.

Ministers are shifting the focus to “personal responsibility”.

But bosses running hospitals in south Essex will insist those entering their buildings will continue to follow the rules currently in place.

A spokesman said: “Staff and public attending Basildon, Broomfield and Southend hospitals and satellite sites, must continue to wear face coverings, follow social distance rules and use hand gel.

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“The maintaining of these rules is for the safety of patients and staff, as well as safely allowing the most vulnerable people to continue to attend hospital.

“This is in line with hospitals, GP surgeries, pharmacies and other healthcare settings across the country.”

Visitor restrictions will also remain in place across the Trust, with each patient allowed one visitor during the times of 2-3pm and 6-7pm.

Where patients are receiving end of life care, two visitors can be with them at any time.

More details about the coronavirus restrictions in place at south and mid Essex hospitals are available at mse.nhs.uk