Premier Perrottet has flagged a softening of rules for patients in hospital with Covid. Source: Getty
The NSW government is considering the relaxation of its COVID-19 hospital visitation rules. This is to respond to the strong appeal and dissatisfaction expressed by many families who have been denied of a chance to care for and say goodbye to their loved ones who were in their final days or support those who have given birth to a child.
NSW government restricted visitors to healthcare facilities due to the surge of COVID-19 Omicron cases. At the time, NSW Health said exemptions would be allowed on a case-by-case basis, for compassionate reasons such as childbirth and palliative care.
The NSW government has been forced to review its hospital visitor guidelines after receiving many complaints and reports of harrowing incidents.
"I'm terribly sorry. I spoke to one of the families on the weekend. I had tears in my eyes hearing the stories," NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet said.
"I know we need to be cautious, but my view is compassion overrides caution in these instances and I'm working very closely with the health system."
It is expected that the updated rules are aimed to "increase visitor access" rather than blocking them.
Visits to state hospitals have been restricted since December 16, 2021, with very few exemptions only given for compassionate reasons.
The full guidelines, set to be announced, will allow visits if it is "beneficial for the patient's emotional or physical well-being".
Today’s figures reported by NSW Health on number of cases showed a reduction in cases and increase in the vaccination level.
In the meantime, the planned opening of Australian borders to fully vaccinated international tourists from February 21, 2022 has received mixed reaction. While it is welcomed by the tourism, hospitality and other business sectors, there is a feeling that it is too soon as there is still a proportion of the population who has not received their booster shots and the OMICRON variant is still not under control.
Australia’s Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced the decision following a meeting of the National Security Council.
“I know the tourism industry will be looking forward to that and over the next two weeks they’ll get the opportunity for them to be gearing up to welcome international visitors back to Australia,” Mr. Morrison said.
“The condition is you must be double vaccinated to come to Australia. That’s the rule. Everyone is expected to abide by it."