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No visitors to Epworth sites.

For the safety of patients, staff and doctors, we are currently not accepting visitors to Epworth sites. We understand this will be challenging for many and encourage patients and loved ones to stay in contact in other ways such as phone, FaceTime and Skype.

Exceptions include essential caregivers or special circumstances (one person only) to support patients in:

  • palliative care (children under 16 are permitted in instances when visiting a parent, grandparent or sibling and must be accompanied by an adult) 
  • maternity
  • paediatric wards (children)
  • emergency departments

There are no set visiting times for these exceptions. Entry will be based on patient need and clinical advice.

COVID-19 positive patients, or those awaiting test results, are not allowed visitors.

We request you do not enter any of our hospitals or sites if:

  • you have been diagnosed with COVID-19 and not fully recovered and discharged from isolation
  • you are displaying any symptoms such as fever, cough, sore throat, breathing difficulties or wheezing or any other signs of respiratory infection.

Anyone who enters an Epworth site will be required to have their temperature checked, register their attendance and wear a mask.

We encourage patients to stay in touch with their family and friends by phone and video chats.

We will continue to the monitor the situation and advise if any further changes are required. Current information is available here.

Wearing masks

  • Anyone entering our sites in Melbourne and Geelong will need to wear a mask upon arrival and register their attendance.
  • Patients who are already in our hospitals will wear masks, based on clinical circumstances.
  • Patients and visitors must change into a hospital provided mask when entering the hospital.

To help slow the spread of COVID-19 and stay safe, regularly wash your hands, keep at least 1.5 metres from other people, and stay home if you feel unwell.

See our guide to putting on and removing a surgical mask - How to wear your surgical mask (PDF, 2MB)

Reduce your risk of coronavirus with masks (PDF, 98KB)

If you have any symptoms of fever, cough, sore throat, breathing difficulties or wheezing or any other signs of respiratory infection, however mild, seek advice and get tested.

Here are some answers to your frequently asked questions (PDF, 608KB)

For more information about COVID-19 go to the Victorian Department of Health and Human Services.

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