Unvaccinated parents may have to seek exemptions, provide negative RATs to visit sick children in hospital

Unvaccinated parents would have to apply for exemptions to visit their sick children in hospital — and possibly provide a negative rapid test — under a visitation plan being considered by the McGowan Government. As part of what Premier Mark McGowan described as the “broadest” proof of vaccination requirements in Australia — which come into effect on January 31 — anyone that has not been jabbed will be locked out of visiting both hospitals and aged care facilities. The rule does not prohibit the unvaccinated from receiving treatment at hospitals but does mean they will be unable to visit sick friends and family, or any relative living in a nursing home. In written health advice advocating for vaccine mandates for visitors to hospitals and aged care homes, Chief Health Officer Andy Robertson wrote both were “high-risk settings” where COVID had the potential to “result in significant morbidity and mortality in these vulnerable populations”. Dr Robertson highlighted that NSW, South Australia and Queensland already had similar rules in place. “Entry into a hospital or RACF by unvaccinated individuals (in those jurisdictions) is prohibited unless an exemption is in place or permitted under compassionate grounds, such as visiting a family member during the terminal phase of their life,” Dr Robertson wrote. “In situations where visitation is permitted by unvaccinated individuals, additional risk mitigation precautions are required to be met by the individual.” Dr Robertson said he supported the same model in WA and that “medical exemptions and exemptions for extenuating compassionate grounds, such as end-of-life visits, should be allowed”. A McGowan Government spokesman said the Government was considering implementing entry conditions for hospital visitors “similar to those adopted in other States” with exemptions for the unvaccinated allowed “on compassionate grounds in extenuating circumstances”. “These would be assessed on a case-by-case basis with information collected to assess the risks to the individuals involved and the staff/hospital setting in which the exemptions may apply,” the spokesman said. “It would be expected that unvaccinated Western Australians wanting to visit patients/family members in the hospital setting would be required to wear PPE and possibly provide negative RAT tests prior to attending the venue.” The McGowan Government did not respond to a follow-up question asking whether unvaccinated partners would need to apply for an exemption to attend the birth of their children. Dr Robertson wrote that as of January 14, there were 1107 COVID outbreaks in aged care facilities and that the elderly — or those with serious underlying health conditions in hospital — were at an increased risk of death even if vaccinated themselves. “Being able to receive visitors is an essential part of RACF residents and hospital inpatients wellbeing, as it has the potential to improve mental health status and reduce social isolation reported in both settings,” Dr Robertson said. “Noting the importance of residents and inpatients having the opportunity to receive visitors, all precautions must be taken to ensure that visitations occurring in these high-risk settings are conducted in a manner which minimises the risk of importing and spreading COVID-19 infection to the facility. “While there will be mitigation through masks, physical distancing and potentially testing prior to entry, vaccination remains a key component in reducing infection and onward transmission.”