Wearing face masks is being re-introduced at two Kent hospitals due to an increase in Covid infection rates – and patients are also being advised to take a test.

The rules will come in tomorrow at Tunbridge Wells and Maidstone Hospital.

Those entering the premises will be asked to wear a face mask unless they are exempt or have a clinical reason for not being able to use one.

A spokesman for the hospitals, which come under the same NHS trust, said: "With the recent increase in Covid infection rates in the community, from Wednesday, October 12 we will be re-introducing face mask wearing protocols within our hospitals to help keep you, our patients and our staff safe.

"Please wear a face mask when entering our hospitals unless you are exempt or there is a clinical reason for you not to wear a mask.

"Face masks will be made available for collection at our main entrances and we thank everyone for their co-operation.

"Although from April 1, lateral flow testing for Covid-19 is not routinely required, if you have tests available we would advise you to take one within 24 hours prior to travelling to our sites to help minimise the risk to our patients."

Visiting at Tunbridge Wells Hospital and Maidstone Hospital has also been limited.

Two visitors per patient are allowed at any one time, but this is not restricted to only two visitors throughout the day.

In the neonatal unit, visiting is limited to parents only and face masks are required for all visitors to the unit.

To find out more about restrictions click here.

The spokesman continued: "Wherever possible we will offer virtual opportunities for patients to keep in contact with their friends and family and support the use of phone calls or video messaging.

"To help keep everyone safe, we ask you to consider other ways of keeping in touch with patients such as phone calls or video messaging."

The cafes at both hospital sites remain closed to patients but refreshments are still available to buy from the League of Friends shop, Costa and the M&S Food Hall at Maidstone Hospital and from WHSmith and Costa at Tunbridge Wells Hospital.

If you are going to either hospital for a procedure or an outpatient appointment you will be told if you are required to take a lateral flow device test.

Elsewhere in Kent, the rules are different depending on the NHS trust.

Dartford and Gravesham says 'we ask you' to wear a facemask, unless exempt.

Medway asks visitors to wear a mask "while you are with us".

East Kent Hospitals, which covers the QEQM in Margate and the William Harvey at Ashford, does not mention face coverings in its guidance for patients and visitors.