FACE masks should still be warn and social distancing observed by visitors and staff in East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust's premises.

The organisation's chief nurse said current guidance on coronavirus infection control would remain in place despite the national relaxation of rules on July 19.

Chris Pearson said: "Our current guidance and procedures that are currently in place at ELHT will not change.

"Colleagues, volunteers, patients and visitors inside our hospital buildings or community services will still be required to do the following: wash hands regularly with soap and water or hand gel if hand washing facilities are not available; wear surgical face masks (not coverings) in all clinical and non-clinical environments(including corridors and public areas) which are provided at each entrance to our buildings; keep your two metre distance on corridors; and keep to the left.

"We will not make any changes to these requirements until we have a clear instruction that we no longer need to do so.

"The importance of following all infection prevention and control and social distancing measures we have put in place are just as vital now as they were at the very start of the pandemic."

The trust runs the Royal Blackburn and Burnley General Teaching Hospitals and the Pendle and Clitheroe community hospitals.