Patients and visitors at hospitals across north Essex will be asked to take a rapid Covid test before arriving. 

The East Suffolk and North Essex Trust has announced the plans after it was announced evertone in England can now have twice weekly lateral flow tests. 

The trust runs services at Colchester hospital and the Primary Care Centre in Turner Road as well as hospitals in Clacton, Halstead and Harwich. 

Visitors and outpatients will be asked to take a test the day before coming to its hospitals and staying at home if the result is positive.

People coming to have their Covid vaccine at the centre at Colchester Hospital will also be asked to have a lateral flow test before arriving.

However the move is a request rather than being mandatory. 

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Chief Executive Nick Hulme said: “Everyone has a role to play in helping to stop the spread of this virus and we are very grateful for our community’s support in keeping our hospitals safe.

“Now lateral flow tests are more widely available, having a test before going to hospital is the responsible thing to do. However we recognise that it is a personal choice and it is not easy or possible for everyone.

“Remember, one in three people with Coronavirus do not have symptoms but can still infect others and getting tested is the only way to know if you have the virus.”

Visiting restrictions at the trust's sites have also been eased as numbers of cases fall.

However, there are still significant restrictions in place to keep everyone safe.

Hospital teams are also asking all visitors to wear a surgical face mask, apron and gloves when with hospital patients.