Bluewater Health is easing visitor restrictions at its Sarnia and Petrolia sites due to a reduction in COVID rates in the hospital and the community.
In a phased approach, the hospitals will allow each patient to have scheduled visits from one designated care partner.
Bluewater Health said care partners are essential to the physical, emotional and spiritual wellbeing of its patients.
All care partners will be contacted to arrange visits, and will undergo a health assessment and screening at the entrance. They will have to wear a mask, follow proper health and safety protocols, must not be self-isolating at the direction of public health, and can't have a positive test for COVID-19 within the last two weeks.
Outpatients in the Emergency Department and Ambulatory Care are permitted to have one support person in limited circumstances.
Bluewater Health is encouraging other loved ones to connect with patients through virtual options, such as Skype, FaceTime or telephone calls, or to request a virtual visit through Bluewater Health's website.