The Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District has reinstated general visiting at its hospitals for fully vaccinated people, following the decision by NSW Health to ease visitor restrictions in line with the NSW roadmap.
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"The community is also being advised that while an easing of visitor restrictions has commenced, there are a still a number of COVID-19 measures in place to ensure patient safety," health district chief executive Margo Mains said.
"At this stage, existing restrictions remain unchanged in Intensive Care, COVID-19 Wards, Maternity and Birthing, Paedatrics and outpatient face-to-face appointments. Screening will also be maintained at our facility entrances, including QR code check-in," she said.
From tomorrow, Wednesday, October 13, the following visiting times will be in place:
Wollongong Hospital General Wards: 10:30am-12:30pm only. (One fully vaccinated visitor per patient per day, mask to be worn at all times).
Coledale, Bulli, Port Kembla, Shellharbour, David Berry, Shoalhaven and Milton Ulladulla Hospital General Wards: 11am-1pm and 5pm-7pm. (Maximum of two fully vaccinated visitors per patient, per day, mask to be worn at all times).
"Wollongong Hospital's hours differ because of the high volume of COVID positive patients who require transfer through the facility at various times of the day," Ms Mains said.
"We know the community is keen to resume normal life as quickly as possible, but our hospitals remain on high-risk alert level as we continue to deal with COVID-19.
"We are now working through the safe and appropriate reopening of other areas, including surgery, oral health and outpatient clinics, and will continue to promptly advise the community when these resume.
"Our aim is to achieve a balance of the resumption of our usual services/activities as quickly as possible, whilst maintaining the required COVID measures and protocols to keep our patients, staff and community safe."
A reminder that the following criteria applies for visitors to a NSW Health facility:
- Must be at least 12 years of age
- Must have had two doses of a TGA approved COVID-19 vaccine
- Has evidence of vaccination status, which will be checked upon entry
- Must wear a surgical mask correctly on entry at the facility and for the duration of the visit.
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