Patients in Lismore Base Hospital can now receive up to four visitors a day, between 1pm and 6pm - as Covid visiting restrictions are further relaxed across the Northern NSW Local Health District (NNSWLHD).

Health screening is still in place in all health facilities - and visitors will still have to wear masks to reduce any risk of Covid transmission.

Visitor restrictions have been eased to allow the following:  

General and Mental Health Inpatient Units

• A maximum of two visitors, twice a day for two hours. This means four individuals could visit across the two sessions. 

MPS sites:  

• Four designated visitors a day, being two visitors at a time, for two hours.  

Maternity Units: 

• There are no changes to the current restrictions, which allow two support people per birth, with no other visitors while in hospital. Siblings can visit on the condition that they are currently well. 

Anyone entering a facility will have their temperature checked and be asked a series of questions to determine they are well and have not visited any COVID hotspots in the past 14 days.  

NNSWLHD Chief Executive Wayne Jones said he thanked the public and staff for being flexible and adapting to changes over the phases of response to the pandemic.

"It’s really heartening to see the community support our health response and our staff," he said.

“As we head into Christmas and arrange to gather with loved ones and friends, we’re also reminding people that our best defense against COVID-19 is to stay on top of the basics we’ve been doing so well.  

“That means, getting tested at the first sign of any symptoms, washing hands or using hand sanitiser regularly, and keeping 1.5 metres distance from people you don’t live with and checking in at any venues you visit.”

There are more than 300 COVID-19 testing locations across NSW. To find your nearest clinic visit https://www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/how-to-protect-yourself-and others/clinics or contact your GP. 

The four hospital-based testing clinics in Northern NSW will be open throughout the holiday period, 7 days a week.