Visiting restrictions are being eased for hospitals across north Cumbria as the country learns to live with Covid-19. 

From yesterday (April 4), the rule changes will allow inpatients to have up to two visitors for one hour each day across all of North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust (NCIC) sites. 

READ MORE: Covid cases rise in Carlisle over past 24 hours

However if there's an outbreak there may still be infection prevention measures such as suspending visitors.

Visitors are being reminded to wear a mask at all times as well as not to visit if they are showing any symptoms or are feeling unwell. 

Chief nurse Jill Foster said: "During the pandemic restricted visiting has been difficult for our patients and their families. It is well known that having visitors aids recovery of our patients and greatly improves the overall patient experience so we are doing everything we can to ensure it’s implemented in a safe way. 

"Cases in the community have increased which means that we have also seen an increase of cases in our hospitals. Many of our Covid positive patients are incidental, having been identified through our screening process and not the primary reason for admission to hospital.

"Across the Trust, infection prevention measures such as mask wearing and social distancing are in place to minimise the risk of transmission," she said. 

To prevent overcrowding in multi-bed bays, each bed will be allocated a dedicated timeslot for their visitors, which will be managed on each ward and patients will be encouraged to share their timeslot with family members where they are able.