PATIENTS at Canberra Hospital will now be able to have more than two visitors a day following an easing of COVID-19 restrictions this morning (September 26).

According to Canberra Health Services (CHS), the number of visitors will still need to comply with the covid safe plans of the specific facility or ward.

A CHS spokesperson said the decision to ease restrictions has been made following consideration of the current advice of the ACT Clinical Health Emergency Coordination Centre, the COVID-19 situation in the ACT and the social, emotional and practical benefits of easing restrictions.

While visitors no longer need to use the health screening tool before attending a CHS health facility, they will still need to wear a surgical mask, unless directed to wear a hospital approved N95 mask in certain clinical areas.

Visitors who have symptoms of covid or another acute respiratory infection will not be permitted inside.

Visitors will also not be permitted inside if:

• They live with someone who has tested positive for covid in the past 14 days
• They are a high-risk contact of someone who tested positive for covid within the past 14 days
• They are in isolation because they have covid or are awaiting the results of a covid test
• They are living with someone who has covid symptoms and is currently awaiting a test result
• They have ongoing symptoms even if they have recovered from covid in the past week.

Visitors to CHS facilities will also need to continue following existing COVID safe practices by:
following the advice of healthcare staff

• Maintaining physical distancing
• Limiting movement in the area they are visiting
• Practising good hand hygiene and respiratory hygiene
• Staying at home if unwell and consider getting tested for COVID-19.