Niagara Health expands some visitor guidelines

Starting today (March 14) Niagara Health is increasing it’s visitor guidelines to welcome two visitors as the bedside for inpatient units, including labour and delivery in NICU.

The update Visitor and Essential Care Partner guidelines for inpatient units, labour and delivery and NICU include:

• Two visitors at the bedside at a time with no restriction on total number of visitors throughout the day.
• No change to visiting hours: 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
• Children and youth may visit as long as they are able to wear a mask at all times.
• Patients may designate up to two Essential Care Partners who can be present 24/7 but need to coordinate with other visitors to ensure only two people are at the bedside at a time.
• At times, patients are in isolation and unable to accept Essential Care Partners or visitors due to COVID-19. Check with the patient’s unit ahead of visiting.

It says there is no change for outpatient, Emergency Department and Urgent Care Centres where patients can continue to bring one person to support them.

Niagara Health says all infection prevention and control measures will stay in place. This includes screening for COVID-19, wearing sa mask at all time, physical distancing, hand hygiene and no eating or drinking inside.

Proof of vaccination is no longer required.