Face masks are now required in clinical areas of all healthcare settings in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland, health bosses have said. The reintroduction of mask wearing by staff and visitors in city and county hospitals was announced earlier this month.

That has now been extended to GP surgeries, the Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Integrated Care Board (ICB), the body responsible for overseeing healthcare across the city and two counties, has said.

A spokesperson for the ICB said this was a "precautionary measure" as "local cases of Covid and other respiratory infections have started to increase".

The requirement is in place in clinical areas, such as examination rooms or hospital wards, only.

The University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust (UHL), responsible for the city hospitals, previously said toilets, corridors and cafeterias fall into the non-clinical category, meaning visitors do not have to wear masks there.

A spokeswoman for the ICB said: "As local cases of Covid and other respiratory infections have started to increase, Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland's Infection Prevention and Control Leads are now advising mask wearing in clinical areas in all healthcare services across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland, including GP practices and hospitals. Masks have been reintroduced as a precautionary measure to help limit transmission of illnesses and to protect our most vulnerable patients."

The LDRS understands that at least one local GP surgery has started to alert patients of the change. Patients of Wigston Central Surgery, in Wigston Magna, received a text saying: "With immediate effect we are asking all staff and patients to revert back to wearing masks/face coverings while in the building. This is in line with infection control guidance issued today by the local Leicester commissioning board."