Limited public hospital visits allowed in Gauteng
This as regulations under level one permitted controlled hospital visits after several months of no-visits allowed under stricter lockdown levels.
Families can now visit their loved ones at public hospitals for 15 minutes per day, the Gauteng health department has announced.
Department spokesperson Kwara Kekana said they have given the green light for one visitor per patient for only 15 minutes per day, in all government hospitals this week.
“The amendment will permit relatives and friends of patients to spend time with their loved ones while adhering to Covid-19 non-pharmaceutical measures such as social distancing, minimising overcrowding and hospital congestions,” she said.
Kekana appealed to the public to adhere to safety measures while visiting, “as they have been taken in the interest of patients, healthcare workers and the greater public good”.
“We all need to play our part to stop the spread of the virus and reduce the chances of the third wave,” she said.
She said relatives of patients should get contact details of the ward their loved ones were admitted to and call whenever possible without having to visit the hospital.
“These measures are not ideal, as many relatives and friends of patients in our care would like to spend more time with their loved ones.
“However, in a bid to ensure we minimise the spread of Covid-19 virus, hospitals and community healthcare centres need to adhere to non-pharmaceutical measures,” health MEC Nomathemba Mokgethi said.
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