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Department of Health and Human Services has advised strict guidelines were in place for those wanting to visit aged care facilities.
A spokesperson said all visitors must comply with screening and infection control measures.
"Access is restricted to help protect elderly people who are especially vulnerable to the transmission of coronavirus," they said.
"Current stay at home directions allow people to leave their home for care and compassionate reasons include visiting a loved one in a residential aged care facility - however people should seriously consider whether the time is right to undertake such a visit.
"Facilities are undertaking screening of all visitors including temperature checks - certain conditions impact the ability of people to remain on site and all visitors are required to wear a mask at all times."
EARLIER:
Stawell Regional Health has a process in place to allow visitation for end of life and palliative care purposes.
Under the Victorian Government's stay at home orders, there are four reasons to leave. Those include;
- to shop for food and essential goods or services.
- to provide care, for compassionate reasons or to seek medical treatment.
- to exercise or for outdoor recreation.
- for work or study, if you can't do it from home.
Director of clinical services Trudi Dunmore said the health service has intensive risk mitigation in place when dealing with visitors to the facility for end of life visits.
"We go through who will be visiting and making sure those visitors who we are bringing in won't be putting other patients or staff at risk," she said.
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"This involves the community as well. During our conversations with potential visitors from other areas we recommend they come directly to the facility and straight home again so there isn't any risk to the community.
"We have processes in place at the facility to make sure they wear PPE and follow all the health guidelines. There are many procedures we follow even making sure we are using a separate door so the rest of the residents in the facility do not come in contact with any visitors.
"We're trying to accommodate requests as best we can while ensure everyone is kept safe - it's a bit of a balancing act."
Ms Dunmore said despite all the measures within the health service, the community needed to continue to ensure guidelines were followed.
"This includes hand hygiene, social distancing and making sure masks are worn at all times while out in public," she said.
"Wearing the mask correctly is important which includes covering your nose, mouth and chin.
"People can still travel to other areas for one of the four reasons so we have to make sure we're doing the right thing."
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The Stawell Times-News contacted the Department of Health and Human Services and asked questions in relation to quarantining recommendations for travelling visitors.
A response was not received at time of publishing.
More information to follow.
Do you have a story to share? Get in touch - cassandra.langley@stawelltimes.com.au
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