Visitors to hospitals in the Wollongong and Shellharbour council areas are now "by exception only" while those areas are under lockdown.
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"NSW Health services in Greater Sydney including Wollongong and Shellharbour Local Government Areas, have now moved to RED Alert," an Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District spokesperson stated.
"That means no hospital visitors starting from 8pm (on Saturday night)."
The new rules restrict hospital visitors at Coledale, Bulli, Wollongong, Port Kembla and Shellharbour hospitals until at least July 9, when the state government imposed lockdown is set to end.
There are several exceptions including visitation to palliative care, maternity and paediatrics, according to the Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District website.
This states that the nurse unit manager or nurse-In-charge may permit visiting in specific circumstances in those wards.
Any visitors must wear a mask or face covering at all times when in the health care facility. This can be their own mask, or one provided at the facility - however, mask supply will be prioritised for staff and patients.
"Visiting may be refused based on mask availability if visitors cannot supply their own masks. Children under 12 are not required to wear a mask," the ISLHD states.
Specific exemptions:
In paediatric and neonatal units, children can have both parents / carers at any time with no restrictions on length of visit.
In the maternity ward, mothers are able to be supported by one person only during labour and birth - this can be either the partner or support person, but not both. Post-natal, the same partner / support person is able to visit for unrestricted periods between 8am and 8pm. However no siblings of any age are to visit during this time.
Meantime, where a patient is receiving end-of-life care, visitors are only limited to the extent necessary to minimise risk.
Emergency Departments:
One visitor is permitted to accompany a patient in emergency departments if their presence is absolutely necessary.
Children under the age of 12 years old are not permitted to accompany a patient in the ED, although the nurse-in-charge may modify this in exceptional circumstances.
Visits to confirmed COVID-19 patients:
Patients with confirmed COVID-19 or suspected COVID-19 cannot be visited in person, except by approval of the hospital general manager or COVID ward operations manager.
The situation is different at Shoalhaven Hospital which is under amber alert; which means screening will continue at entrances and visitors are required to wear a mask, while health care workers providing care to any patient within 1.5m will also have to wear a mask.
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