Visiting restrictions have been renewed at West Hertfordshire hospitals following a two-week review.

The West Hertfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust temporarily suspended visitors from the start of 2022 following the spread of Covid and particularly the omicron variant in the local community.

At the time, it was said that the situation would be monitored carefully and reviewed after two weeks – and now the trust has renewed restrictions for at least another fortnight.

However restrictions this time are slightly different than those seen during lockdowns, with maternity services not affected by the changes.

There will also be exceptional circumstances to allow some visitors, which includes when:

• The patient is receiving end of life care.

• The patient is in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

• The patient is a child on a paediatric ward, being visited by their parents or an appropriate adult.

• The patient has a mental health issue, where not having a family member present would cause distress to the patient.

• The patient has dementia, a learning disability or autism, where not having a family member present would cause distress to the patient.

Visiting restrictions will be reviewed again on January 28.