**** NSHA Media Release
Nova Scotia Health Visitor Restrictions
(last updated: April 25, 2021)
Visitor restrictions are in place at Nova Scotia Health facilities to control and contain the spread of COVID-19, keep the virus out of hospitals and keep patients, health care workers and all Nova Scotians safe.
Effective April 25, 2021 the following exceptions to the visitor restrictions are in place:
Two designated support people per day for:
- palliative care and other patients nearing end of life
- patients receiving medical assistance in dying
- children under 18 admitted to hospital
- labour and birth
One designated support person for:
- hospital inpatients (these designated support people must remain the same for a week at a time)
- children under 18 in outpatient settings
- prenatal ultrasound visits
- outpatients, including patients arriving at the hospital for cancer care, emergency, and ambulatory care clinics, appointments or procedures – who need support to receive care due to physical, intellectual, cognitive emotional conditions
- patients requiring support for critical treatment decisions such as organ transplantation, initiation of hemodialysis at the discretion of the clinical team
If you have questions about these exceptions, please talk to your care team.
If you feel unwell or have felt unwell in the past 48 hours (fever/chills/sweats, new or worsening cough or sore throat, runny nose, headache or shortness of breath), are supposed to be self-isolating due to travel, or are waiting for results of COVID-19 test results, please do not visit.
Important information for family caregivers, primary support people
Visitor restrictions are in place at all Nova Scotia Health hospitals to protect our vulnerable patients and staff and limit the spread of COVID-19. We understand how difficult these restrictions are for patients and families and how important it is to have loved ones present while a patient is in the hospital. While no general visitation is permitted, there are some exceptions for family members, primary support persons and caregivers to support patients in certain situations.
The following measures will help ensure patient, staff and visitor safety. All primary support person/family caregivers must:
- be feeling well at the date and time of the visit
- be screened upon entry – anyone with symptoms consistent with COVID-19, on self-isolation or being tested for COVID-19 due to recent travel or potential exposure to the virus will not be permitted to enter
- wear a mask covering their nose and mouth at all times
- maintain a physical distance of two metres (six feet) from staff and others, except your loved one
- wash their hands when entering and leaving the hospital and when entering and leaving the patient’s room
- go directly to and from the patient’s room, or visit location, and remain there for the duration of the visit
Please do not use patient washrooms or share devices, books, or food.
Procedures will vary by site and inpatient unit based on ability to manage and monitor the public health guidelines that are in place to protect the health and safety of patients, staff and visitors.
Thank you for your patience and cooperation.
Designated caregivers can watch this instructional video to learn what to expect when visiting long-term care facilities.
If you have questions or concerns please speak with the care team or contact Patient Relations at 1-844-884-4177 or review Visiting patients in hospital: Frequently Asked Questions.
