The following restrictions are in place and may change based on local risk assessment and other factors such as COVID and/or other infectious disease outbreaks. Note, family meetings whereby the number of visitors can be up to six people can be arranged at the discretion of a senior medical consultant and the nurse/department manager.

Requirements for All Visitors Regarding Face Masks

A Level 1 / Surgical Face Mask issued by GV Health staff is required to be worn by all visitors at all times as detailed below. Exemptions may apply and valid documentation is required to be provided on request to GV Health staff noting the requirements detailed in this memorandum. Should a person have a valid exemption regarding not wearing a face mask, they will be required to wear a face shield provided by GV Health. The requirement in relation to face masks detailed above does not apply if the person:

• Is an infant or child under eight (8) years of age; or
• Is a prisoner in the custody of Victoria Police or Corrections Victoria; or
• Has a physical or mental health illness or condition, or disability, which makes wearing a face covering unsuitable; or
• Is escaping harm or the risk of harm, including harm related to family violence or violence from another person; or
• Is communicating with a person who is deaf or hard of hearing and visibility of the mouth is essential for communication.

Screening, Attestation and Registration – Conditions of Entry for Visitors and Patients/Clients attending for treatment, care or appointments not requiring overnight admission

Any person entering a GV Health building must satisfactorily complete required screening questions related to the following:

• The person has not tested positive for COVID-19 in the last seven (7) days; or
• The person has completed their full seven (7) day period since testing positive for COVID-19; or
• The person is not a close contact of a person who has tested positive for COVID-19 in the last seven (7) days even if the person (close contact) has tested negative for COVID-19 noting this includes health care workers visiting a GV Health facility; or
• The person has a temperature higher than 37.5 degrees and has symptoms of an acute respiratory infection (sore throat, cough, runny nose); or
• The person is under 16 years other than those attending for the purpose of an end of life visit or support, a patient has a life-threatening medical condition, the person is a child of the patient.

Visitors to Residential Ages Care and Care Facilities

All visitors to residential aged care and sub-acute/rehabilitation services including mental health (excluding Wanyarra Acute Inpatient Unit) services are required to:

• Provide evidence that they have completed a negative result from a COVID-19 rapid antigen test taken on the same day the visitor attends to visit;
• Satisfactorily complete the required attestation questions that comply with the entry conditions;
• Where a visitor is aged under 18 years, a parent or guardian of the visitor may make the required declaration.
  
  

Note: GV Health will only provide rapid antigen tests for the purpose of visitor entry to its facilities under exceptional circumstances and solely at the discretion of GV Health.

All visitors should take extra care to wash and sanitise their hands and keep at least 1.5m physical distance at all times.

Prohibition on Entry

In the event a person, including hospital, health and/or care facility workers/GV Health staff members, disability workers, contractors or visitors, do not comply with the required attestation processes, vaccination requirements or does not meet the conditions of entry, they will be refused entry to GV Health’s facilities/buildings.

Patients, clients, consumers and residents seeking care or treatment will be screened and tested for clinical and other risk factors and will not be refused entry. However, precautions will be applied based on the level of risk and concern.

Recommendation for Remote / Electronic Visits

Care and support can continue to be provided remotely through phone or video calls and is encouraged. Providing interpreter services or acting as a nominated person should be provided remotely unless not practicable to do so.

General Requirements for Hospital (Acute, Sub-Acute & Mental Health)

There are no restrictions on the reason(s) for visits to patients, clients and consumers. However, daily visitor numbers are restricted to five visitors per day for a maximum of two hours with a maximum of two visitors per patient at any one time. Visitors must stay in the patient’s room/care area and limit movement apart from quick trips to the bathroom.

End of Life Visits (Acute, Sub-Acute and Aged Care)

End of life means where a patient or resident’s death is expected within 28 days or less. Patients/ residents are restricted to four visitors at one time for the purpose of end of life visits and there is no limit to the number of visitors each day. Visitors must stay in the patient’s room/care area and limit movement apart from quick trips to the bathroom.

Critical Care Unit Visitors

Visitors to patients in the Critical Care Unit (CCU) are restricted based on the discretion of staff in the CCU taking into consideration the condition of the patient and other patients in the CCU. However, daily visitor numbers are restricted to four visitors, with no more than four visitors per day for a maximum of two hours noting this remains at the discretion of staff in the CCU.

Visitors to Ages Care Residents and Care Facilities

There are no restrictions on the reason(s) for visits to residents in aged care facilities. Visitors are required to comply with density limits in all GV Health facilities. Where visitors are not fully vaccinated, visits should occur either outdoors or in the resident’s own room(s) and should not occur in common areas. Visitors must stay in the patient’s room/care area and limit movement apart from quick trips to the bathroom.

Aged Care and Care Facility Prospective Residents

There are no restrictions in relation to prospective residents visiting an aged care facility.