Routine hospital visits resume as restrictions ease

Routine hospital visiting has resumed in Dumfries and Galloway after the region's health board eased restrictions aimed at tackling a rise in flu and norovirus cases.

Only essential visiting - to end-of-life patients, newborn babies and people with mental health issues - was being permitted across the region.

However, NHS Dumfries and Galloway confirmed that restrictions had been lifted although it would continue to monitor the situation.

It added that people should still wear masks in clinical areas where possible and not visit if they have flu or norovirus symptoms.

The health board introduced the restriction on visits earlier this month.

It came after hospital admissions for flu rose sharply in the region from single figures to more than 30.

However, numbers have since dropped again and the health board has taken the decision to allow routine visiting to resume.

The public has been urged to help continue the downward trend of cases.

The health board said hand washing, physical distancing and vaccinations could all play a part in helping stop the spread of any viruses.