Visiting restrictions at hospitals at Lismore Base Hospital and others across Northern NSW Local Health District are being eased slightly to allow visitors back into health facilities in a staged approach.

A patient may have one visitor once a day for one hour, between the hours of 1pm and 6pm.

Visitors must be at least 12 years of age, and must have be fully vaccinated with two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine.

Visitors will need to carry evidence of their vaccination status on entry to the health facility, and must wear a surgical mask while on site.

Acting Chief Executive, Northern NSW Local Health District, Lynne Weir said people should continue to keep up to date with contact tracing alerts, and be vigilant against any symptoms of COVID-19 so they do not attend a health facility if they feel unwell.

“People must not visit if they have any COVID-19 symptoms, are a close contact of a confirmed case (or are within their isolation period), live in a household with a person who is currently isolating, or if they are waiting for a COVID-19 test result,” Ms Weir said.

“People also must not visit if they have been to case locations in NSW, interstate affected areas or New Zealand in the past 14 days.”

Women accessing birthing services can continue to nominate one support person during her labour, birth and post-delivery.

“Exemptions for visitors outside these arrangements will continue to be managed on a case by case basis for compassionate or extenuating circumstances, for example in the case of palliative care,” Ms Weir said.

The visiting arrangements will continue to be reviewed in light of local case numbers and vaccination rates.

“We sincerely thank our communities for their understanding over these past months of heightened restrictions. We understand that it can be hard not being able to visit loved ones in hospital as frequently as people would like, but we must make every effort to protect our patients, visitors and staff,” Ms Weir said.

We encourage people to get vaccinated against COVID-19 as soon as they are able to. Find available bookings at the Australian Government’s COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic Finder (previously eligibility checker), or you can also call Health Direct on 1800 571 155 for assistance to book.