A DORSET surgery has asked people to wear face masks to help protect staff and patients in response to rising Covid cases.

The Blandford Practice Group in Whitecliff Mill Street, Blandford, made the “difficult decision” to revert to mask wearing in all areas from July 5.

In a post on social media, The Blandford Group Practice said: “In response to the increasing numbers of Covid cases in the local area, The Blandford Group Practice has taken the difficult decision to revert back to mask wearing in all areas.

“We will therefore be asking our staff and visitors to wear masks in all of our buildings from today (July 5) until further notice.

“We recognise how difficult it is to make this change, but we are aiming to protect our staff and patients as much as possible.”

The practice added: “Thank you for your ongoing understanding as we get accustomed to make wearing again.”

Yesterday it was announced all over 50s will be offered a Covid booster this autumn following a rise in infections.

Earlier this month, Covid-19 infections in the UK jumped by more than half a million in a week, with the rise likely to be driven by the latest Omicron variants BA.4 and BA.5, figures suggested.