IN the wake of new government coronavirus restrictions, a town surgery is introducing new measures to keep patients safe.

The government and Essex County Council recently announced Essex has been placed in Tier 2 restrictions.

The new restrictions include banning residents from separate households from meeting indoors and enforcing the 'rule of six' in outdoor spaces.

In response to the new restrictions and rising Covid-19 cases, the Elizabeth Courtauld Surgery in Halstead is stepping up safety measures.

The surgery announced on their Facebook page on Monday that additional screening measures for all patients are being introduced for face to face appointments.

As of Monday, everyone who comes to surgery must undergo a temperature check.

If their temperature is too high, the surgery say they have a process to deal with the patients.

On their Facebook page, a spokesman said: " With Essex having moved into Tier 2 we thought that now would be a good time to introduce an additional screening measure for all patients coming in to the practice for face to face appointments.

"From today everyone coming in will have their temperature check when they arrive.

"At this point patients will also be asked to sanitise their hands and will be given an antibacterial wipe with which to clean their chair when they leave the waiting area.

"If their temperature is discovered to be 37.8 or above we have a process in place in order to clinically manage these patients safely and appropriately under the care of our Urgent Care Practitioners.

"We hope that this will continue to reassure patients that Elizabeth Courtauld Surgery remains a safe environment in which you can receive healthcare."