Family Presence / Visitation Restrictions in Acute Care – Integrated Rural Health

Due to a substantial increase in COVID-19 transmission and high levels of hospital admissions, all acute care hospitals in Integrated Rural Health (South West and South East) will be moving to Level 1 Family Presence restrictions on Friday, September 24th.

At Level 1 family presence;

• Each patient can designate two essential family/support persons. One person can be present at a time while indoors.
• No limit on persons present at a time while outdoors.
• More than two essential family/support persons can be designated for patient in these areas: intensive care; end-of-life or palliative care.

• Two essential family/support persons can be present at the same time in these areas: intensive care; maternal, postpartum and pediatric units; end-of-life or palliative care.

Entryway Screening and continuous masking continues to be required in all Acute Care Facilities. Your cooperation in keeping our facilities, patients, staff and public safe is appreciated and necessary for us to be able to maintain this current level of Family Presence.

Because transmission of COVID-19 and its variants, like the Delta variant, will continue to pose a risk to staff, physicians, patients, family, and visitors in SHA facilities, each local area will still be closely monitoring transmission. Family presence restrictions will continue to be reviewed weekly and further levels of restriction may need to be reinstated, depending on local transmission rates and hospital capacity.

Anyone planning to visit a Long Term Care home or an Acute Care facility is encouraged to check the current level of Family Presence on the SHA website before visiting.