PATIENTS in  Letterkenny University Hospital will now have just one visitor with that visit lasting only 15 minutes because of rising Covid-19 cases in the community.

Visits must be pre-arranged by family members/visitors, who should contact the relevant ward or unit in advance.

In line with national guidance on visiting, visitors will be asked to produce their EU Digital Covid Certificate or HSE Covid-19 Vaccination Record or other proof of immunity at the entrance. Visitors may be asked to show some photo ID to prove that the proof of immunity is theirs.

There are exemptions from the requirement for the EU Digital Covid Certificate or HSE Covid-19 Vaccination Record or other proof of immunity, on compassionate grounds.

Children may not visit the hospital unless agreed in advance, on compassionate grounds, with the ward/unit manager.

There are separate arrangements in place for access to the maternity department for nominated support partners.

Anyone coming to the hospital must complete a Covid-19 screening checklist and follow the public health guidance, including wearing a surgical face mask and performing good hand hygiene regularly.

The hospital is also dealing with an outbreak of Covid-19 and there is no access to visitors in the outbreak areas currently.