Visiting public hospitals during COVID-19

The safety and welfare of people in our hospital and health services during COVID-19 pandemic means there are some restrictions for visitors.

The below visitor guidelines have been developed to protect staff, patients and visitors.

The below restrictions are a guideline online. Check with the individual hospital or health service for local visitor information before you visit.

Physical distancing requirements will mean that the maximum number of allowed visitors is not always possible in areas.

Visitor restrictions

In all health settings a surgical face mask will be required. However, in some settings such as high risk settings with vulnerable patients, visitors may also need to wear additional Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). 


Visitors should not enter a hospital or residential care facility if they have:

  • a temperature higher than 38 degrees Celsius, fever, chills or symptoms of acute respiratory infection in the preceding 72 hours
  • been a known contact with a person who has a confirmed case of COVID-19 for 14 days from exposure (except for the purposes of obtaining medical care or medical supplies).
  • tested positive for COVID-19 in the last 10 days.

Adult patients

Hospital inpatients

Visitors will be limited to two people per day across all general wards, ambulatory treatment units and critical care units. Additional support person(s) may be allowed on site for compassionate reasons or End of Life/ Palliative Care, including younger people requiring a parent or guardian and some emergency care situations.


Visitors may be asked to wear additional PPE when entering a high risk setting, as determined by the hospital or health care service.

Outpatients and Emergency

Maximum of one visitor may accompany a patient to an Emergency Department or a hospital based outpatient appointment provided physical distancing can be maintained.

Maternity patients

Delivery and postnatal wards

Maximum of two visitors (partner or designated support person) may attend with the patient in labour, and in the ward environment.

Outpatients and Emergency

Maximum of one visitor may accompany a patient to an Emergency Department or a hospital based outpatient appointment, provided physical distancing can be maintained

Paediatric patients

Inpatients

Maximum of two visitors (parent or guardian) with the child in the consultation room. 

Neonates/Neonatal ICU patients

Maximum of two adults (parental/guardian or carer) can visit per day.

Children’s Oncology ward

Maximum of two visitors may accompany a patient to a Children’s Oncology ward provided physical distancing can be maintained.

Outpatients and Emergency Department

Maximum of one visitor may accompany a patient to an Emergency Department or a hospital-based outpatient appointment.

Palliative, end of life or critically unwell patients

Hospital Settings

In the terminal phase of a terminal illness the hospital has the discretion to determine the appropriate visitor numbers for compassionate reasons, considering the environment and ability to social distance.

Communal spaces in ward areas are to be kept free of visitors.

Residential Aged Care Facility

A visitor to a regional Local Health Network with a co-located aged care site will be required to provide proof at concierge that they are up-to-date with their COVID-19 vaccination (digital or printed copy), unless they have an approved medical exemption or a child 12 years or less. They must also wear a mask. 

A resident of a Residential Aged Care Facility (RACF) with more than 70% of its residents who have had at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, is not limited to a number of care and support visits per day.

A resident of a RACF with less than 70% of its residents who have had at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, may have one care and support visit of two persons or two separate visits from one person, per day.

For more information see the Aged Care – COVID-19 page.