The Royal Cornwall Hospitals Trust has announced changes to the way patients can be visited.

It has altered visiting times on all wards, will now be from 2pm to 7pm instead of 10am to 8pm.

The hospital said in a statement: "We recognise there will be exceptional circumstances for some patients and we would ask these are discussed with the Ward Leader/Nurse in Charge.

"We recommend you visit your family member/loved one for no longer than one hour.

"We ask that children under the age of 16 do not attend the hospital to visit a family member/loved one, unless there are special circumstances. If so, please contact the ward before leaving home to visit the hospital."

There will also be restrictions to one person per bed space at any time.

Visitors will be expected use the hand sanitiser gels available at all entrances.

Then, when going into a ward, they will be directed to wash their hands thoroughly for 20 seconds and to do the same on leaving the ward.

The hospital added: "Alongside this, we ask you to consider carefully the potential risk to others before you travel to the hospital, and whether your journey is completely necessary – you can carry the virus without showing any symptoms.

"We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause in the short term.

"Our aim in asking for your help is to ensure we can continue to deliver safe patient care by reducing the risk of spreading the virus, so that we can keep our beds open and protect our staff to care for our patients."