People from the peninsula with relatives or friends in hospital will be allowed back to see them as normal as from Monday.

Health bosses at Ipswich, Colchester and Felixstowe hospitals are lifting visiting restriction as from Monday, February 14.

The East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust (ESNEFT) is reintroducing a restricted visiting policy in all of its hospitals, after the majority of ward visiting was suspended in January due to the impact of Covid.

There will be no changes to A&E or Outpatients wards, with existing Covid visiting restrictions remaining in place in those departments.

Visitors are also urged to be vaccinated with two doses, and, ideally, boosted against Covid and to take a lateral flow test on the day of their visit.

ESNEFT chief executive Nick Hulme said: "I'm delighted that we are now able to cautiously reintroduce visiting in all our hospital sites.

"We recognise the significant upset not having visitors can cause to patients and their families and suspending visiting is never an easy decision for us.

"That's why we remain cautious and why we are insisting certain precautions are taken by visitors, including taking a lateral flow test before coming to our hospitals and being vaccinated against Covid-19.

Additionally, visits to mortuaries at Ipswich Hospital and Colchester Hospital will be supported from Monday.

The ESNEFT team are reminding visitors of the following:

One named visitor may visit a patient on a ward for one hour a day after they have been in hospital for 24 hours

A patient's nominated key contact should remain the point of contact for all bookings

The visitor must be the same person for the duration of a patient's stay. If that person tests positive for Covid, a substitute visitor may be nominated

Exceptions to visiting rules (that were originally in place) still stand. These are: end of life care, those in formal caring roles for patients with, for example, learning disabilities or severe dementia, parents of children and maternity.

Visitors will also be expected to:

Be vaccinated (two doses) and, ideally, boosted against Covid. Visitors will be asked to show their Covid vaccination status in the NHS app, or bring in their vaccination card if they do not have a smartphone

Always wear a surgical face mask – unless you are medically exempt. If this is the case, please make ward teams aware as they will be able to offer you alternative face protection

Wash/sanitise your hands when entering and leaving the ward and hospital buildings

Avoid using hospital toilets, shops, and cafes, where possible. This is so ESNEFT can continue to limit footfall in these areas and keep everyone safe in the hospitals

The Trust's general visiting policy and principles regarding Covid vaccination status, LFT testing and wearing a surgical face mask, will also apply.

The maximum number of people who may attend an appointment is limited to two named visitors only.

Viewings are by appointment only and must be booked in advance.