Lanarkshire hospital visiting times suspended and museums close amid coronavirus outbreak
Last updated 18th Mar 2020
NHS Lanarkshire has suspended visiting times at all hospitals and inpatient wards amid the coronavirus outbreak.
The change has been implemented in a bid to reduce the number of people attending the hospitals each day.
The health board says these rules may differ for families of patients receiving end-of-life care or those accompanying partners during childbirth.
Susan Friel, director of nursing for acute services, said: “We understand the stress this may cause in being unable to visit family members in hospital.
“We apologise for taking this decision, but patient care is our top priority. We would like to reassure our staff, patients and visitors that this continues to be our focus at all times.”
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde have put visiting restrictions in place for those visiting patients in certain wards which can be found on their website.
It comes as all North & South Lanarkshire Leisure & Culture premises will be shut from Wednesday.
Glasgow Life has also confirmed all museums, concert halls, libraries and Glasgow Club gyms will be closed until at least the end of April.
Scotrail has also tightened its policy around buying tickets and asks all passengers to buy before boarding to avoid unnecessary contact.
Odeon, Vue and Cineworld cinema chains have also closed amid the outbreak.
It comes as Government-backed loans worth ÂŁ330 billion will be made available to support businesses through the coronavirus crisis, the Chancellor has announced.
Rishi Sunak said the “unprecedented package” - equivalent to 15% of GDP - could go further if demand is greater, and vowed to do “whatever it takes” to help the economy.
The Chancellor, speaking at a press conference inside 10 Downing Street, also said he was extending the business rates holiday to all businesses in the hospitality sector and funding grants of up to ÂŁ25,000 for smaller businesses.
And Mr Sunak said that for those in financial difficulty due to coronavirus, mortgage lenders will offer a three-month mortgage holiday.
It comes after the government also advised against all non-essential travel outside of the UK for the next 30 days and has also advised against non-essential social contact and visiting pubs, clubs, theatres and cinemas.
The total number of confirmed cases in the country today was 195, with 49 of those in Greater Glasgow and Clyde's health board and 21 in Lanarkshire.
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