Face coverings are now banned from Hampshire Hospitals sites with members of the public asked to swap for a surgical mask on arrival instead.

Surgical masks will be found at the entrances and offer better protection, the Trust said. 

Hampshire Hospitals runs Basingstoke, Winchester and Andover hospitals.

A spokesman said: "To help keep our patients and staff safe, face coverings will no longer be permitted on any of our hospital sites - instead all visitors and outpatients are asked to wear a surgical face mask.

"Keeping everyone safe is our top priority. Surgical face masks offer a greater level of protection, and can be found at every entrance to our hospitals at Andover, Basingstoke and Winchester.

"Thank you for doing all you can to stay safe, and helping us to protect the NHS."