Bolton’s NHS trust has announced a major change to pandemic policy for visitors that will soon come into

Starting from today, Monday, April 24, people visiting NHS sites across the borough, including at Royal Bolton Hospital, will no long have to routinely wear face masks.

Trust officials say that various factors have come into play meaning that they believe routinely wearing masks is no longer necessary.

Chief nurse Tyrone Roberts said: “We are in a position where masks are no longer needed routinely.

“We always try to do our best to ensure your safety and that of our staff, so in some instances wearing a mask will still be needed.

The Bolton News: Bolton's NHS trust will no longer require people to routinely wear face masksBolton's NHS trust will no longer require people to routinely wear face masks (Image: Bolton NHS Foundation Trust)

“However, in most cases wearing a mask will be your personal choice, if you feel you would like to wear a mask then please feel free to continue to do so.

“We look forward to seeing more of your faces in full next time you use our services.”

Trust officials say that mask were a useful tool in reducing the spread of Covid-19 during the pandemic along with other measures aimed at protecting patients and staff from the virus.

But Mr Roberts and his colleagues have said that they have been able to come to this decision thanks to the successful roll out of the vaccine and as the impact of Covid-19 lessons.

This means that they do not believe mask wearing is required to ensure the safety of patients, visitors and staff.

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But as well as allowing people to continue with wearing masks at their own discretion as a personal choice, Mr Roberts has said that they may still be required in some cases.

These included instances where a patient has an infection and a mask would help limit its spread or man a mask would help to protect a member of staff.

They will also be reintroduced in any other procedures where they would better help ensure the safety of members of staff.

Routine mask wearing may also be re-introduced in individual departments and services in response to local Covid-19 numbers at certain times if health staff believe it to be necessary.