Visitor restrictions at our hospitals are easing, with most patients now able to receive two visitors per day.
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Western NSW Local Health District announced the changes on Tuesday, effective immediately.
Visitors must be:
- Aged 12 years or over
- Fully vaccinated with two doses of a COVID-19 vaccination approved by the Therapeutic Goods Association
- Have evidence of the vaccination status
- Wear a face mask.
Chief Executive Scott McLachlan added exemptions may be considered for visitors who are not yet fully vaccinated in special circumstances.
"There's a couple of other changes we are looking at for visitors who aren't vaccinated but want to come in and visit someone," he said.
"Particularly at the end of life, for mums in delivery and maternity services, or kids in emergency or paediatric services.
"Those exemptions will be considered on a case-by-case basis so please phone ahead if you're in those circumstances."
Screening of visitors will still be undertaken and people must not visit a health service if they:
- Have been to case locations in NSW, interstate affected areas or New Zealand in the last 14 days.
- Have COVID-19 symptoms
- Are a close contact of a person with confirmed COVID-19 and are within their isolation period
- Live in a household with a person who is currently isolating
- Are waiting for a COVID-19 test result.
Aged care residents of Multipurpose Service (MPS) facilities are permitted to have two visitors per day provided those visitors:
- Are aged 12 years and over
- Have received a second dose of a COVID-19 vaccination at least 14 days prior to their visit.
For more information on visits and activities related to aged care residents go to: https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/covid-19/Pages/racf-latest-advice.aspx
Visitors are asked to remember that these requirements are in place to protect the wellbeing of patients, residents, and staff.
They ask that anyone intending to visit prepare evidence of vaccination, and have your mask on when you enter.
Follow the directions of staff at all times, and conduct yourself in a COVID-safe way by wearing your mask at all times, wash and sanitise your hands, and maintain an appropriate distance between yourself and other people.
If you have not been fully vaccinated and want to visit a patient or resident, contact your local health service by telephone to discuss whether the circumstances permit an exemption.
Health services have a zero-tolerance policy for aggressive or inappropriate behaviour, they ask that everyone respect our health staff and the measures being taken to protect patients and residents.