Face-to-face prison visits are to resume this Saturday (9 April) for those who have had at least two doses of a COVID-19 vaccination.
Announcing the change to restrictions, the Department for Correctional Services said in a statement that all visitors would need to provide proof of vaccination to attend a face-to-face visit.
The Department said visit bookings would open today (Monday 4 April), with one adult visitor per prisoner allowed at each visit.
It said proof of vaccination included A COVID-19 digital vaccination certificate on the Express Plus Medicare app or Medicare online account linked to the myGov app/website or an immunisation history statement on the Individual Healthcare Identifier service via the myGov app.
The Department said visitors would be provided with a Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) upon arrival, which must return a negative result prior to entry.
“Please ensure your arrival allows adequate time to undertake a RAT process (minimum 15 minutes) and visit registration,” it said.
The Department said that due to the high percentage of COVID cases among children in the community and difficulties in administering a RAT to young children, face-to-face visits were paused for anyone under 18 years, however it hoped to permit entry to children soon.
“Domestic visits are an important tool to prisoners in maintaining ties and relationship with their loved ones,” it said.
It also said all prisoners and visitors must wear a surgical mask and maintain 1.5 metres’ social distancing at all times.
“Domestic visits will continue to be facilitated virtually (via Zoom) for all prisoners, including un-vaccinated prisoners and/or those with un-vaccinated visitors,” it said.
The Department’s one-page fact sheet on the recommencement of face-to-face prison visits can be accessed at this PS News link.
