NHS Grampian is reminding people attending appointments or visiting loved ones in hospitals to continue to wear face masks.
The message comes as infection rates for Covid-19 continue to rise across Scotland, including in Grampian.
The health board said that fluid resistant masks should be worn for the duration of visits and are usually available from entrance points if people do not have their own.
An example is at the main entrance of Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, where the blue masks are available for members of the public to use.
NHS Grampian also said that patients and visitors observing basic hygiene measures will help settings to protect their staff and continue to make visiting possible.
‘Importance of following guidance’
NHS Grampian’s nurse lead for person centred visiting and dementia nurse consultant, Lyn Pirie launched the “mask up” campaign today.
She said: “We’re launching this today just as a gentle reminder to the public of Grampian around the importance of continuing to follow our guidance around wearing masks when entering our healthcare settings in hospital environments, either for an appointment or to visit a family member or friend.
“I think what’s really important is that we are very much aware that Covid is around us and there’ll be none of us that haven’t got a family member, friend or colleague that we’re aware of who has had Covid or symptoms fairly recently, so we know that it’s there.
‘To try and minimise the risk’
“Therefore, it’s really important that when the public are coming into our hospitals and healthcare settings that they follow our advice around wearing the fluid resistance surgical masks, which we have available at hospital entrances and GP practices etc.
“It is to try and minimise that risk of exposure for the most vulnerable people and the staff looking after them.”
Despite the rise in case numbers, Scotland’s national clinical director, Jason Leitch recently said that mandatory restrictions are unlikely to return.
Guidance on the use of masks in healthcare settings is available online.
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