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 Regarding Face Masks

A Level 1 / Surgical Face Mask issued by GV Health staff is required to be worn by patients and visitors in these areas:

• Emergency Department
• Oncology
• Haemodialysis Unit

A Level 1 / Surgical Face Mask issued by GV Health staff is required to be worn by visitors in these areas:

• Critical Care Unit
• Special Care Nursery
• Respiratory Ward
• Residential Aged Care; Parkvilla, Waranga & Grutzner House

Masks and face shields are available at Reception Areas and/or on a table inside all entrance points across GV Health sites.

The requirement to wear a face mask 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.

Exemption for disability or physical or mental condition

If a person advises they have a disability or a physical or mental illness or condition that prevents them from wearing a face covering, the following steps should be followed:

1. The person should be asked whether they are able to wear a face shield. If so, a face shield provided by GV Health must be worn.
2. If the person is unable to wear a face shield, the person should be allowed entry without a face covering as long as they confirm that they meet the conditions of entry described below. A mask exemption sticker to be be provided.

Entry Requirements: 

Visitors and Patient/Clients should NOT attend GV Health for Treatment, Care or Appointments Not Requiring Overnight Admission if they:

• Have tested positive for COVID-19 in the last seven (7) days; or
• Have not completed their full seven (7) day period since testing positive for COVID-19; or
• Have symptoms of a respiratory infection or
• The person has a temperature higher than 37.5 degrees and has symptoms of an acute respiratory infection (sore throat, cough, runny nose);

Patients attending the Emergency Department may be screened, temperature tested and required to attest to meeting the conditions of entry as noted above.

Visitors to Residential Aged 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.