NHS Fife visiting times to be restricted to minimise coronavirus spread

Hospital visiting hours will be temporarily restricted across Fife in a bid to protect patients from coronavirus.

From tomorrow, patients at hospitals in Fife can see a maximum of two visitors a day, between 7pm and 8pm.

It's in efforts to minimise the spread of COVID-19.

Visitors will have to use hand gel upon entering and leaving clinical areas.

A small number of exceptions will be made to visiting hours in neonatal, maternity and children's wards.

Helen Buchanan, NHS Fife Director of Nursing, said:

"The safety of our patients and staff is paramount and it is crucial that we take all reasonable steps to minimise the risk of coronavirus transmission in our hospitals.

"We believe this is a sensible precaution in managing this evolving situation.

"Those in our hospitals are very often the most vulnerable to infection; therefore, we are asking people to think very carefully before choosing to visit their family members and friends.

"Please only visit if this is essential, and then only do so between 7pm and 8pm.

"Most importantly, if you have any flu-like symptoms, a cough, a fver or a cold - or if you generally feel unwell - do not visit our hospitals until you are well and are no longer demonstrating such symptoms."