Coalville's Long Lane Surgery says patients and visitors will still need to wear face coverings after July 19.

With the Government preparing to declare 'Freedom Day' on Monday, with the relaxing of Covid rules, the surgery is advising people to continue to wear masks.

A post on Long Lane's Facebook page reads: "From the 19th July 2021 we will continue to follow government guidelines:

"Where a COVID-19 secure environment cannot be maintained, patients and members of the public entering primary and community healthcare premises should be advised to use face coverings in line with government advice.

"This means LLS staff will continue to wear PPE whilst you are seen at the surgery.

"Patients will still need to wear a face covering whilst in the surgery building, this will not be optional. Thank you for your continued support."

West Leicestershire Clincial Commissioning Group added: "NHS bosses in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland (LLR) are reminding the public that they will still need to wear a mask or face covering in healthcare settings, including vaccination sites.

Caroline Trevithick, Chief Nurse for the three LLR Clinical Commissioning Groups, said: "Although most covid restrictions will end in the community from Monday, we need to take extra precautions in healthcare settings.

"Your GP practice is working hard for you and wants to keep you safe and confident when attending the surgery, and this is also about protecting others.

"When you visit your GP practice, you can help keep our staff and our most vulnerable patients safe by continuing to follow the simple precautions that we are all now familiar with.

"You must wear a mask or face covering, sanitise your hands and maintain social distancing."

Avinash Hiremath, Medical Director of Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust (LPT), said: It is important for everyone to know that the guidance for healthcare settings is not the same as it is for our outside, social or home lives. We care for vulnerable and unwell people in close contact.

"It is our responsibility as health and care professionals to keep everyone safe and reduce transmissions, and that includes visitors abiding by our rules when they come into our sites.

"The pandemic is not over.

"Cases across the UK are currently rising, as are hospitalisations. We must all act carefully to manage the risks to ourselves and others."