To protect our patients, staff and the wider community amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Castlemaine Health has taken the difficult but necessary decision to prohibit non-essential visitors to our aged care facilities from midnight tonight, 25 March.
Visitors will be asked a number of questions relating to travel and COVID-19. This information will assist with tracking in the case of an outbreak.
Please do not visit if you have:
- Returned from overseas in the last 14 days
- Been in contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19
- Fever or symptoms of acute respiratory infection.
For all visit the following will apply:
- A maximum of 1 visit per resident per day limited to ten minutes only (excluding time taken to enter and exit the residence)
- A maximum of 2 visitors per resident at these visits. These may be family, close friends, professional services or advocacy workers but they must be over the age of 16
- Visits can happen in a resident’s room, outdoors or in an area specified by us. Visits will not be possible in communal areas where risk of transmission is greater
- No visitors who fit the criteria for self-isolation will be allowed (see list above)
- Hand hygiene and the principles of social distancing will be enforced. Alcohol hand rub will be available
We ask for your continued support as we work to protect the health and safety of not only your loved ones in our care, but also our staff and other visitors. Again, we would encourage you to make use of alternatives like FaceTime, texts and other social communications to ensure you maintain connections with your loved ones.
