KUCHING: Caregivers will be allowed to accompany COVID-19 children and patients that require special care at all government hospitals in Sarawak, starting tomorrow.
Sarawak Deputy Premier Datuk Seri Dr Sim Kui Hian told New Sarawak Tribune that all the government hospitals in Sarawak will implement the new policy during the transition to endemic phase which will take effect on April 23.
However, he said the caregivers must obtain a negative test result via Rapid Test Kit-Antigen (RTK-AG) before doing so, and must repeat the test if they display any symptoms and before returning home.
Yesterday (April 21), Health director-general Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah had announced the new policy for caregivers and visitors at government hospitals.
He said no visitors will be allowed for COVID-19 patients, except for end-of-life patients; which is limited to two visitors at one time.
Caregivers for non-COVID patients in wards as well as individuals that accompany pregnant mothers during labour; must test negative for Covid-19 using the RTK-Ag self-test kits.
Non-COVID patients, in general wards or intensive care units (ICU), including end-of-life patients, are also allowed to receive visitors. However, each patient can only receive two visitors at one time.
Only one caregiver will be allowed to accompany non-COVID patients at the outpatient and emergency departments.
Caregivers and visitors must also be 12 years old and above, fully-vaccinated against COVID-19 and must not be classified under any high-risk groups.
They are required to take RTK-Ag tests and must do so within 24 hours before arriving at the hospital. They are also required to include the date and time of the test and snap a picture of the results as proof.
They should also not exhibit symptoms for Covid-19 and cannot be Persons Under Surveillance (PUS) that have been instructed to undergo quarantine.
“They should also fill up a Covid-19 declaration form, comply with all standard operating procedures (SOP) and wear the required personal protective equipment (PPE),” he added.
Dr Noor Hisham said hospitals, which are more prone to Covid-19 transmissions, can make necessary adjustments to these policies to ensure the health and safety of all parties.
