Four Essex hospitals ban visitors during coronavirus crisis

Southend Hospital, Basildon University Hospital and Broomfield Hospital, Basildon University Hospital and Southend Hospital brought in restrictions to "minimise the impact" of the outbreak.

Visitors will only be allowed under exceptional circumstances including end-of-life patients.

Women who are due to attend the maternity ward are only allowed one birthing partner and no visitors during their stay.

The Harlow-based hospital also announced car parking fares will be temporarily scrapped from Wednesday, April 1.

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Anyone who does visit the hospital are advised to draw to bed curtain round halfway to minimalise the coronavirus spread.

Please remember to:

• All visitors must wash their hands before and after visiting relatives

• Visitors must be over the over the age of 16 – children are not allowed

• Please do not enter the hospital in you feel unwell

• If you have a high temperature or new cough please return home and self-isolate

• Please only visit the areas of the hospital where your relative or friend is staying

• Our restaurant is currently closed to visitors to give our staff a place to be with each other and take some time to rest

• Drinks and snacks continue to be available from our onsite Costa and M&S. Please use this as a take-away facility

The following appointment guidance issued by The Princess Alexandra Hospital

A statement on PAHT’s website says: “We know how important visitors are to our patients and we are pleased to welcome you however at this time as we manage the demands of coronavirus (COVID-19) we have made the decision to introduce restricted visiting to patients we are currently caring for.

“If you are concerned you may have coronavirus (COVID-19), do not come to our hospitals or visit the emergency department (ED)/ A&E. Instead, please call NHS 111.”