Hospital Authority updates compassionate visiting arrangements
The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
The Hospital Authority (HA) announced today (April 12) the updating of public hospital compassionate visiting arrangements for critical or end-of-life COVID-19 patients and the compassionate visiting requirement of visitors who have recovered from COVID-19.
​ The HA spokesperson said, "The HA understands the needs of family members to visit critical or end-of-life COVID-19 patients. After reviewing the infection control arrangements by an expert panel, the HA decided to update the protocol concerned."
​ Upon the wish of family members, public hospitals will facilitate compassionate visits for critical or end-of-life COVID-19 patients as far as practicable. Visitors must provide a negative rapid antigen test result obtained within 24 hours before the visit. If the visitor cannot arrange a test in advance, a rapid antigen test must be performed immediately after the visit with the test result provided subsequently.
​ Visitors are required to study the information sheet concerned on compassionate visiting arrangements thoroughly and to strictly follow infection control measures given by healthcare staff, including performing hand hygiene and wearing appropriate personal protective equipment before the visit, as well as conduct seven days of health survelliance after the visit. Visitors are also required to comply with the requirement of scanning the "LeaveHomeSafe" venue QR code when entering public hospitals.
​ The arrangements of compassionate visits for non-COVID-19 patients, or other special clinical reasons, remains unchanged. Visitors must comply with relevant testing and vaccination requirements.
​ The HA has also decided that visitors who have recovered from COVID-19 within three months (starting from the 14th day after receiving confirmation of infection) will be exempted from both testing and vaccination requirements for compassionate visits. Visitors are required to provide proof of infection and recovery to healthcare workers.
​ The HA appeals to members of the public to understand the limitations of visiting arrangements under the current epidemic situation. Hospitals will facilitate video visiting for patients as far as practicable.