In response to the declining COVID-19 inpatient numbers and a reduction in community infections, we are adjusting our COVID-19 settings.
This means masks are now optional for public spaces, non-clinical areas and shared work areas for employees, visitors and patients.
Non-clinical areas include shared corridors, retail, café and dining areas.
Effective Saturday 21 January 2023
- Visitors, patients and employees in public spaces, non-clinical areas, and shared work areas – mask optional.
- Employees caring for non-COVID/non-SCOVID and non-ED patients – surgical masks plus standard precautions are required.
- All other areas remain the same – as outlined below.
- RAT testing for symptomatic employees.
Mask requirements in clinical areas
- For employees:
- Caring for non-COVID/non-SCOVID and non-ED patients, surgical masks plus standard precautions are required.
- No change to caring for COVID/SCOVID patients, N95 plus standard precautions are required.
- No change to caring for Emergency Department patients, N95 plus standard precautions are required.
- For patients and visitors:
- When entering inpatient areas, surgical masks are required.
- When entering our Emergency Department, for adults (18+) an N95 mask is required. For children aged 8-17, a surgical mask.
Patients and visitors will continue to be screened at visitor entrances to all our hospital and community sites. Surgical masks will continue to be available to patients and visitors at the front entrance.
Further detail about which PPE to use in different working situations is outlined in our PPE Compulsory Standards.
Healthcare workers should test if unwell and remain off work for seven days if COVID-19 positive. If you test positive for COVID-19, please let your manager know and complete our online COVID-19 Positive Notification Form.
Thank you for helping keep our patients and your colleagues safe.
Professor Andrew Stripp
Chief Executive