People asked to consider alternatives to A&E unless it is an emergency
There has been a sharp rises in coronavirus hospital admissions in recent days.
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde and NHS Lanarkshire are asking people to consider whether they really need to go to A&E as hospitals are near capacity.
It comes amid a sharp rise in cases of coronavirus over the last week.
The deputy director of acute services at NHS Lanarkshire, Russell Coulthard, said: “Our three acute sites are full.
"In fact, we have been working beyond maximum capacity within our hospitals over the past few weeks with capacity regularly over 100 per cent.
“Unfortunately many patients in our emergency department will be waiting over ten hours to be admitted due to the current overwhelming demand which is well in excess of our target of four hours."
People are being asked to contact NHS24 if it is not an emergency.
Russell added: “We also have wards closed across our sites due to Covid which again reduces beds available to patients and creates further additional pressures while we are trying to recover services and treat patients who need our care.
“These combined pressures mean that we have had to take some difficult decisions.
"These include reintroducing essential visiting across our three acute hospitals earlier this week.
“The safety of our patients and staff is our top priority and we are taking all necessary action to ensure safe and effective patient care and address the current pressures.
"We are making the best use of the staff and beds that are available to enable us to treat patients appropriately.”