2.45 pm | 22 December 2020
Hi everyone,
As Lesley mentioned in her message on Friday, there has been an update to visitor restrictions which come into effect from today. In addition, I’m sure many of you will be pleased that from 12.01 tonight it is no longer mandatory for all staff to wear masks on a healthcare site.
It is still really important however that all staff and visitors adhere to physical distancing and practice good hygiene, stay home and get tested if unwell.
Visitor guidelines
The following are effective from today and we are working towards refreshing the signage across the hospital.
- Inpatients – a maximum of two adults with supervised children can visit at any time, throughout the patient’s stay.
- Outpatients and emergency – preferably one adult per person only, but no more than two (only if physical distancing can be maintained), may accompany a patient to an emergency department or a hospital based outpatient appointment. Any children are included in the two visitor limit.
As always, there is flexibility on compassionate grounds.
Wearing of masks on healthcare sites
From 12.01am on 23 December 2020, masks will no longer be mandatory for people present in healthcare settings however should continue to be worn when unable to physically distance.
The PPE Matrix provides guidance about appropriate PPE use and should be adhered to. You can find the latest matrix here.
Arrivals from NSW (including Broken Hill)
Please keep yourself up-to-date with the current health alerts and COVID-19 testing for NSW.
I wanted to call out Broken Hill as the Incident Management Team are often asked how people from these areas should be considered. Broken Hill is part of regional NSW and people coming into South Australia from Broken Hill need to undertake a COVID-19 test on day 1, 7, and 12. This applies to both patients and visitors. They do not need to isolate during this time unless they are symptomatic. This means that we can accept patients from Broken Hill on transfer based on the above (IF transfer is clinically appropriate and transfers are approved by consultants)
I will remain as Network Commander and the rest of the Incident Management Team will continue our surveillance and oversight over the Christmas and New Year Period and will be back in touch if there are any specific updates.
Thank you and have a COVID-19 safe Christmas.
Kathryn Zeitz
CALHN COVID-19 Commander