NHS Borders has announced it will maintain Level 1 coronavirus restrictions on hospital visits despite the region being in Level 0.

The Borders moved to the lowest level of the Scottish Government’s multi-tiered system on Monday (July 19).

According to the rules for Level 0, all visits to hospitals are “open”, subject to local health protection.

However, the region’s health board has taken the “difficult decision” to maintain the rules from Level 1.

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A spokesperson for NHS Borders said: “Visiting restrictions across NHS Borders will remain at COVID-19 protection Level 1.

“While we recognise that Scotland moved to Level 0 on July 19, there are still significant pressures on our hospitals, primary and community services in the Borders.

“As a result of this we have taken the difficult decision to maintain Level 1 visiting restrictions at our sites for the moment.

“This is in order to keep our patients, staff and visitors as safe as possible.”

According to the Scottish Government website, Level 1 rules recommend “that family support from at least two visitors is permitted per patient”.

The NHS Borders website states: "At Level 1 of the COVID-19 protection system, our patients are able to have support from at least two people from the same household at the same time (without any need for physical distancing between the two visitors).

"If the two visitors are not from the same household and physical distancing cannot be maintained then visits can take place separately."

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The government recommendations add that, in addition, you can still visit someone in hospital or accompany someone to appointments if you’re:

  • a birth partner supporting a woman during hospital visits
  • visiting someone receiving end-of-life care
  • supporting someone with a mental health issue, or dementia, or a learning disability or autism, where not being present would cause the patient to be distressed
  • accompanying a child

The NHS Borders spokesperson added that the decision “was not taken lightly” and will be under regular review.

Meanwhile, a Scottish Borders Council spokesperson confirmed that its care homes, as provided through SB Cares, will continue to follow Scottish Government guidance for visits.

The spokesperson added that the safest and most effective way to make the transition from Level 1 to Level 0, which will include further opening up of indoor visiting in line with the easing of national restrictions, is currently being assessed.

Outdoor visiting is likely to remain the same at six people from three households, with children included in these numbers, according to the spokesperson.