On 5th July 2021, the Government announced that from 19th July a new phase in the response to the pandemic would be initiated1 moving away from stringent restrictions on everyone’s day-to-day lives, towards advising people on how to protect themselves and others, alongside targeted interventions to reduce risk. This includes no longer mandating use of face masks, social distancing or hand hygiene rather suggesting this as guidance that people may wish to follow
The Government has confirmed that while COVID-19 restrictions will end in many settings, public Health England (PHE) Infection Prevention Control (IPC) guidelines and hospital visiting guidance will remain in place for staff and visitors across all healthcare services for the protection of both staff and patients.
The IPC principles in this guidance applies to all MFT healthcare settings including hospitals, Intermediate Care facilities GP practices, dentists, optometrists, and pharmacies unless otherwise stated.