MEDIA RELEASE
Kingston, ON – March 20, 2020 – Effective March 21, Kingston Health Sciences Centre (KHSC) will implement further restrictions on visitors within its hospital sites – Kingston General Hospital and Hotel Dieu Hospital.
Only essential visitors such as those who have a loved one who is dying or very ill; a parent/guardian of an ill child or youth; a visitor of a patient undergoing surgery; or a woman giving birth will be allowed. People with cognitive and/or mobility difficulties may also be accompanied by the same one person in the Emergency Department or Urgent Care Centre.
“These further restrictions are needed to protect our staff and patients as the pandemic continues to rapidly evolve,” says Dr. David Pichora. “Once again, we appreciate that this will be difficult for many of our patients, but we are counting on everyone to stay home and help us prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Under exceptional circumstances, support persons allowed to enter the hospital sites will be screened and should be prepared to answer questions related to travel history and health symptoms. People who fail the screening will not be permitted to enter.
People are encouraged to keep in touch with their loved ones by phone or other technologies, as available.
KHSC will continue to monitor this situation closely, and will provide further guidance or direction where needed.
For up-to-date recommendations on precautions, screening, self-isolation, travel advice and public gatherings, please consult the Public Health Ontario website at www.publichealthontario.ca.
