On Friday afternoon, the Province of Alberta announced no visitors will be allowed to enter hospitals and continuing care facilities, unless under special circumstances.
“As we see additional cases, and we know that there is community transmission happening, especially in our large centres, it becomes evermore important that we are minimizing the chance that someone may be unwittingly bring in the virus to the hospital,” Alberta chief medical officer of health Deena Hinshaw said Friday.
Effective immediately, no visitors will be permitted inside the facilities.
Exceptions will be made for maternity and postpartum wards, which will be allowed one essential visitor. Pediatrics will also be allowed one essential visitor. End-of-life patients will be allowed one essential visitor at a time.
Patients who are visiting outpatient, emergency department or urgent care visits will be required to attend by themselves unless there are specific challenges such as mobility, hearing, visual or memory impairment.
Patients with specific impairments are able to continue to bring one essential support visitor.
Essential visitors are designated by the patient, guardian or other alternate decision-maker, who could be a family member, friend or paid caregiver over 18 years of age.
Visitors who are permitted under these exceptions must be verified and undergo a health screening prior to entering the facility.
