HMC: No visitors allowed

Hospital updates visitation policy due to COVID-19

Habersham Medical Center is now closed to visitors. Hospital officials announced the change in visitation policy this afternoon in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Effective immediately and until further notice, HMC will no longer allow visitors on campus or at any of its off-site locations. Patients of Habersham Medical Center are allowed one (1) support person to accompany them during their hospitalization. The support person must remain the same person during the entire duration of the patient’s stay.

This policy update applies to every department except ICU. No support person will be permitted to go into the ICU. No children under the age of 18 will be allowed on campus or at any of HMC’s off-site locations. Non-essential persons/vendors are not permitted on campus or at any of HMC’s off-site locations.

RELATED: COVID-19 reported in Forsyth County; health officials prepare for possibility in Habersham

Habersham Medical Center is also implementing additional screening measures for vendors and support persons. All vendors and support persons will be screened upon entrance into any and all HMC facilities. If answers to the screening indicate the person may be symptomatic or have been exposed to the coronavirus, they will not be permitted to enter any HMC facility. They will be asked to contact their healthcare provider for advice about treatment.

If a vendor or support person passes the screening process, they will be given an armband that they must wear while on campus. The armband must be visible at all times. Each time a vendor or support person leaves campus, they will be screened, again, upon return.

As an added measure of safety, HMC has also reduced its points of entry to the Main Registration (with the Portico and Patient Drop-off) and the Emergency Department only. All other entrances will be locked. Signs will direct patients and support persons to one of the two main points of entry.

The Main Registration Entrance will operate from 6:00 AM to 7:00 PM. The Emergency Department Entrance will remain open 24 hours a day.

For more information about HMC’s COVID-19 Visitation Policy, visit www.habershammedical.com/coronavirus.