General visiting at Shoalhaven, David Berry and Milton hospitals has been reinstated by the Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District.
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ISLHD said general visiting procedures return from today, Wednesday, October 13 but a number of procedures, including visitors having to be over the age of 12, be fully vaccinated, showing proof of vaccination and wearing surgical masks, in place.
ISLHD Chief Executive Margot Mains said the decision by NSW Health to ease visitor restrictions is in line with the NSW roadmap.
"While an easing of visitor restrictions has started, there are still a number of COVID-19 measures in place to ensure patient safety," Ms Mains said.
"At this stage, existing restrictions remain unchanged in Intensive Care, COVID-19 wards, maternity and birthing, paediatrics and outpatient face-to-face appointments."
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She said screening will also be maintained at facility entrances, including QR code check-in.
David Berry, Shoalhaven and Milton Ulladulla hospital general wards will have two visiting hours from 11am to 1pm and from 5pm to 7pm.
A maximum of two fully vaccinated visitors per patient, per day and masks to be worn at all times.
Coledale, Bulli, Port Kembla and Shellharbour hospitals will also operate under the same procedures.
Wollongong Hospital general wards will only be opened for visitors from 10:30am to 12:30pm and with only one fully vaccinated visitor per patient per day, and masks 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."
She said the district was working through the safe and appropriate re-opening 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, while maintaining the required COVID measures and protocols to keep our patients, staff and community safe," she said.
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.
"I want to again thank the local community for their continued support of our Local Health District as we work through the next phase of our COVID response," Ms Mains said.
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