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Masks & Respiratory Symptoms

CHANGES TO COVID-19 ISOLATION GUIDELINES

Chages to Isolation Guidelines

From 14th October 2022, it is no longer mandatory to self-isolate at home if you test positive to COVID-19. 

Despite these changes, it is still strongly recommended that people who are sick or have tested positive to COVID-19 stay at home until their symptoms have resolved.
 

MASK POLICY

Mask Policy

In line with these changes, Double Bay Doctors is amending it's mask-wearing policy. 

From Friday 14th October 2022, patients and staff are no longer required to wear a mask in the practice if they do not have respiratory symptoms and/or have not tested positive to COVID-19 within the last 14 days.

Patients experiencing respiratory symptoms must continue to follow our respiratory symptoms policy, as per the below. 

PATIENTS WITH RESPIRATORY SYMPTOMS

Respiratory Sx

Patients with respiratory symptoms are required to:

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  1. Show proof of a negative Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) for COVID-19 that was performed on the same day as your appointment. Please bring a picture of your negative RAT result with you to your appointment; and

  2. Wear a face mask (6 yrs and over).

 

All patients experiencing respiratory symptoms must wear a mask, even if they have returned a negative RAT. These patients are strongly encouraged to book a Telehealth appointment before attending for a face to face appointment. 

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Children of all ages are required to perform a RAT if they have respiratory symptoms. This includes young babies (i.e. < 12 months). Alternative RATs, such as the 'lollipop RAT' are safe for use on babies and can be purchased at your local pharmacy.

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I'm fully vaccinated against COVID-19, do I still need to have a negative RAT if I have respiratory symptoms?
 
Yes. Unfortunately, no vaccine is 100% effective. It is therefore still possible to contract COVID-19 and spread COVID-19 to others. To protect vulnerable members of our community, the RAT respiratory policy applies to all patients.    

COVID-POSITIVE PATIENTS

COVID Positive Patients

Patients who have tested positive to COVID-19 are not able to visit the practice in person until they return a negative RAT.

These patients will be required to book a telehealth appointment until they return a negative RAT, even if they are no longer symptomatic.

Once a patient returns a negative RAT, they can visit the practice face-to-face, but must continue to wear a mask until it has been 14 days since their first positive test. This is because patients are considered to be infectious for possibly up to 14 days. 

COVID-19 TESTING

COVID-19 Testing

We no longer offer COVID-19 testing at Double Bay Doctors, but there are a number of testing facilities in the Eastern Suburbs.

A detailed list of testing facilities, including walk-through clinics and age requirements, can be found on NSW Health's website.

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