Page 1585 - Week 06 - Thursday, 23 July 2020
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In addition to the locations identified under the legal direction, the ACT government is strongly advising anyone who has been in a range of locations identified by NSW Health to closely monitor their health and get tested for COVID-19 at the slightest sign of symptoms. Further details can be found at covid19.act.gov.au and the NSW Health website.
The situation in New South Wales is an evolving one and the advice and affected locations in New South Wales can change quickly. It is important that Canberrans, particularly those who have recently travelled into New South Wales, stay up to date on the latest advice from New South Wales via the NSW Health website and follow the ACT directions and advice.
Madam Speaker, in addition to our public health teams’ excellent work in protecting the community, the ACT government and our health services are taking further measures to protect those most vulnerable in our community.
On 13 July 2020, in response to the COVID-19 outbreak in Victoria and recent positive cases in the ACT, all hospitals and community health centres across the ACT returned to tighter visitor restrictions. The visitor policy provides for the following: one visitor per patient, per day, with visitors asked not to bring children to our health facilities unless it is necessary; admitted babies, children and young people aged 0 to 17 years may have one parent/carer present at all times, with an additional visitor for up to one hour each day; women who are admitted for care related to birthing may have up to two support persons present, and this needs to be pre-planned with the relevant midwifery and obstetric staff during antenatal care; if you are attending an outpatient or a community health clinic, you should, wherever possible, attend alone, and if you require a support person, please limit this to one person.
While we were able to ease visitor restrictions in late May, the reintroduction of these restrictions is considered a necessary measure in response to the higher risk situation that we are seeing. Social distancing principles also continue to apply to all carers and visitors, and, of course, please do not visit a hospital or aged-care facility if you are feeling unwell.
A new digital screening tool has been implemented for both staff and visitors to complete each day that they attend a hospital or health facility. This involves a few simple screening questions, and people will receive a green tick if they are cleared to visit or come to work, or a red cross if they should stay home. This has now been provided to all ACT hospitals, in line with the collaborative, territory-wide response that has been established across our public and private facilities.
Madam Speaker, we are conscious that visitor restrictions make things more difficult for those in care, and for their families and loved ones, but I am sure that the community understands that the restrictions are intended to significantly reduce the risk of infection and outbreak in settings where people are particularly vulnerable. Staff have been asked to implement the restrictions with compassion and common sense. We recognise that there will be times, particularly where loved ones are coming to the end of their lives, when it will be appropriate to have more visitors.
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