29 September 2022

With the current easing of COVID-19 restrictions and decreasing numbers of new and active cases across the ACT, some COVID related restrictions have been eased across Canberra Health Services’ (CHS) facilities. Current visitor restrictions have been lifted, which means patients can now have more than two visitors. The number of visitors still needs to comply with the COVID safe plans of the specific facility or ward to ensure we continue to provide a safe health service for patients, their visitors and staff.

While people won’t need to use the health screening tool before attending a CHS facility anymore, it’s still very important visitors meet all the below criteria, and notify a staff member if they don’t meet any of the following:

  • Wear a surgical mask, unless directed to wear a hospital approved N95 mask in certain clinical areas
  • Do not have symptoms of COVID-19 or other acute respiratory infection
  • Do not live with a person who has tested positive for COVID-19 within the past 14 days
  • Are not a high-risk contact of someone who tested positive for COVID-19 within the past 14 days
  • Are not in isolation because they have COVID-19 or are waiting the results of a COVID-19 test
  • Have not tested positive for COVID-19 in the past 7 days
  • Do not live with someone who has COVID-19 symptoms and is currently awaiting a COVID-19 test result
  • Do not have ongoing symptoms even if they have recovered from COVID-19 in the past week.

COVID-19 Clinic’s new home in Weston

In addition, the COVID-19 Clinic at Garran Surge Centre has moved to a new home at the Weston Creek Community Health Centre. With falling COVID-19 case numbers in the ACT over the past two months, we’ve seen a steady decrease in patients coming to the COVID-19 Clinic. It will now run at a reduced capacity in line with falling case numbers and decreased demand in the community.

The Garran COVID-19 testing centre continues to operate from the Surge Centre at Garran oval.

The COVID-19 clinic will continue to provide non-urgent health care for people who have tested positive for COVID-19 and need support to manage their symptoms, or treatment for other non-life-threatening injuries or illnesses. The clinic will be open from 2pm to 10pm, 7 days a week. No appointment is needed, and there is no cost to attend.

There will be separate entrances for the COVID-19 Clinic and the Weston Creek Walk-in Centre, and all current services will continue to operate from the same building.

We will continue to monitor demand of the COVID-19 Clinic to ensure we keep meeting the needs of the community.

Anyone who tests positive to COVID-19 over the age of 1 can access this COVID-19 clinic. For parents/carers with a child under 1 year old, please contact your GP to seek medical help and advice, or the ACT COVID Care@Home team for advice and support on 5124 3085 (7 days a week from 8.30am to 5pm).