At the following facilities, visitors are limited to one consistent visitor/support person per patient/resident due to potential COVID exposures, suspected COVID positive patients/residents, or other illness:

  • Protective Care and North Wing Units, Bay St. George Long Term Care

On all other units at hospitals, health centres and long term care homes, each patient and resident may have multiple visitors throughout the day, however, only two can visit at the same time.  Please note that some areas/units may not be able to accommodate two visitors at the same time due to the space available and the need to maintain physical distancing requirements. In these cases, care teams will work with families to identify visitation options.

Support persons/visitors are advised of the following visitation guidelines:

  • COVID-19 Screening: Visitation is not permitted if the support person/visitor is symptomatic (i.e. experiencing any one or more symptoms of COVID-19) or self-isolating (except in specific situations such as labour and delivery and end-of-life visitation).
  • Perform hand hygiene and maintain physical distancing (two meters/six feet).

Precautions around confirmed/suspect cases of COVID-19

  • Patients/residents who are suspected to have COVID-19 must wear personal protective equipment for the visit as per protocol.
  • If a patient/resident is confirmed COVID-19 positive, limited visitation can occur in consultation with the care team.
  • As well, anyone who is feeling unwell or sick should not visit patients/residents.

Please do NOT visit any health care facility if you feel ill or are experiencing flu-like or gastrointestinal symptoms. 

Masking requirements (October 25, 2024)

For information regarding updates to masking requirements at health-care
facilities, effective Friday, October 25, 2024, please see the PSA: NL Health Services Provides Update on Masking Requirements.

Masking  

  • Masking is no longer required for visitors/support persons, clients, and patients, pending they meet the self-screening requirements, in clinical areas in health-care facilities (including waiting areas for health-care services/appointments, clinical care/treatment areas, and while visiting patients and long-term care residents). 
  • If a facility experiences an outbreak, additional masking protocols may be implemented; visitors or support persons should check with the care team for the required personal protective equipment.  

Reminder:

  • Individuals seeking or receiving health-care services who are symptomatic (i.e. experiencing any one or more symptoms of COVID-19 or respiratory symptoms) must always wear a mask upon entry and while inside the health-care facility. Visitors/support persons feeling unwell or sick should not visit patients/residents or accompany others to appointments.  
  • Masks continue to be available at health-care facilities across the province. Individuals who would like to continue wearing masks are encouraged to do so. 
  • Individuals can wear their medical mask, or a mask provided at the health-care facility. 
  • Visitors and support persons are also asked to consider the safety of those they are visiting. It can be especially important to wear a mask if you are around others who are at risk of more severe disease and outcomes, including those with chronic conditions, compromised immune systems, and older adults or young children.