Health Ministry New Hospital Visit Rules From Saturday

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PETALING JAYA: The Health Ministry has reviewed its policy on visits from caregivers and visitors to hospitals, which will take effect on Saturday (April 23).
Health director-general Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said the decision to review and update the policy was based on the latest trend analysis of Covid-19 category 3, 4 and 5 cases.
Dr Noor Hisham added that the assessment is also considering the low rate of utilisation of specific health facilities for Covid-19 cases.
He said the step was made after taking into account the importance of psychosocial support especially from family members in assisting patients.
"In this regard, the Ministry has agreed to allow patients in the ward to be accompanied by caregivers as well as to receive visitors based on certain criteria," said Dr Noor Hisham.
He added that generally, visitors or guardians allowed to visit and accompany patients must be aged 12 years and above.
Dr Noor Hisham said that they must have a complete Covid-19 vaccination status and must not belong to a high-risk group for Covid-19 infection, such as having multiple comorbidities or a weakened immune system.
"For caregivers to specific patient categories, it is necessary to undergo a self-RTK-Ag test and the test should be conducted within a 24-hour period prior to arrival at the hospital," he said.
"The date and time of the test should be indicated along with the picture as proof," he added in a statement on Thursday (April 21).
He added that visitors must not be suspected of having Covid-19 or being a person under surveillance (PUS) or have Covid-19 symptoms.
Dr Noor Hisham also said that visitors must also fill in the Covid-19 declaration form and comply with SOPs and wear personal protective equipment (PPE) as prescribed.
He said that visitors of non-Covid-19 patients, caregivers who are in the ward as well as individuals who wish to accompany expectant mothers during the process of childbirth must undergo Covid19 screening and test negative.
"Visits from family members of non-Covid-19 patients in the wards, Intensive Care Unit or in critical condition (end of life) are allowed but are limited to two visitors at a time," said Dr Noor Hisham.
He added that these visitors are also encouraged to undergo the Covid-19 screening before visiting.
"Only one caregiver is allowed for non-Covid-19 patients receiving outpatient or emergency care. Caregivers are also encouraged to undergo self-testing before visiting," he said.
For Covid-19 patients, Dr Noor Hisham said the presence of a caregiver is only allowed for patients who require specialised care as well as paediatric patients only.
"For that purpose, caregivers need to undergo a self-test and test negative. The self-test should be repeated if the caregiver is symptomatic and before returning home," he added.
Dr Noor Hisham said that no visitors are allowed for Covid-19 patients, except for patients who are in critical condition (end of life) either in the ward or in the Intensive Care Unit.
“Only two visitors are allowed at one time and self-tests are encouraged before visits," he said, adding that the implementation of the caregiver and visitor policy would take effect on Saturday (April 23).
He emphasised that in certain situations where the risk of Covid-19 transmission is high, such as the occurrence of outbreaks in hospitals, the hospital can make some modifications to existing policies to ensure the health and safety of all parties. - Star

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