Aged care to allow visitors when NSW reaches 70 per cent vax rate

Families crying out to see loved ones in aged care facilities will get some much-needed relief very soon.

Families crying out to see loved ones in aged care facilities will get some much-needed relief next month when NSW reaches a 70 per cent double vaccination rate.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian confirmed that aged care and hospital visits will be capped at two fully vaccinated visitors when the target is reached in October.

“Health has recommended … there will be allowed up to two visitors in those health facilities,” she said.

“It’s in other hospital settings as well. Health has put forward that recommendation already.”

But the freedoms come with the catch that aged care homes reserve the right to exclude visitors at any time.

The easing of restrictions will be a major relief for families of aged care residents after many facilities put a ban on visits due to the high-risk involved with elderly patients.

The Delta outbreak impacted several aged care centres but deaths remained low due to high vaccination rates among residents.