Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Visitor guidelines at Central Gippsland Health from 5 October, 2022
Visitors must comply with infection control measures including wearing a face mask, sanitising hands regularly and physically distancing where possible.
Thank you for your continued support as we navigate the ever changing environment of COVID-19.
Visiting Hours
- Sale Hospital 10am-12pm and 2-7pm (no more than two (2) visitors permitted at any one time)
- Aged Care Facilities – open hours
Visitor Numbers
Sale Hospital
- Inpatient Wards:
No more than two visitors at any one time during the visiting session.
A carer can support a visitor if required, for example an elderly visitor. A carer refers to any person including a family member and a person under 18 years of age who provides support, assistance or personal care to a person with healthcare needs or a mental illness, or a disability resulting from a mental illness.
Visitors under 16 are permitted entry if they are visiting a patient who has a life-threatening medical condition, is receiving palliative care or if they are a child, grandchild or sibling of the patient. They are not counted in the number of visitors if they are visiting a patient having end-of-life treatment or if they are a child, grandchild or sibling of the patient.
- Women’s and Children’s Unit:
Birthing women or patients in maternity care – 1 partner or support person for an unlimited time.
Children under 18 years – 2 parents/guardians for an unlimited time. 1 parent/guardian can stay overnight.
- Emergency Department:
1 support person per patient if required.
- Outpatient services (including Oncology):
1 support person per patient if required.
- End of Life care:
No limit on the number of visitors per day and no time limit. Maximum of 2 visitors at any time with the patient. Note: Clergy are counted as visitors.
Aged Care Facilities:
- Up to 5 visitors a day.
- No more then 4 visitors at any one time.
- Visitors may attend the facility each day, but no more than once a day.
- End of life care residents can have a maximum of 5 visitors.
Face masks:
- Visitors are required to wear face masks at all times.
- A new surgical mask must be worn by visitors if over 18, visitors’ personal cloth masks are not appropriate.
- Valid exemptions may apply. Children under 12 years old are exempt from wearing a face mask as are those with a medical exemption.
Visitor movement around facilities:
- Visitors are required to go straight to the area where the patient/resident is located.
- Visitors must stay in the patient/resident’s room and limit movement around the building, apart from quick trips to the bathroom or to purchase food.
Social distancing:
- Visitors shall abide by the maximum number of people in each room to achieve social distancing restrictions. Signs are displayed indicating the number of people allowed in each room.
Hand hygiene:
- Visitors shall perform hand hygiene on entry and exit to the health service, and as required.
Visiting COVID positive patients:
- If the patient is suspected or confirmed to have COVID-19, appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) must be used by visitors. Staff will assist with this.