Strict guidelines will be maintained at The Medical Clinic Millicent as state borders open tomorrow.
A number of COVID safe measures have been implemented at the clinic which practice manager Bronwyn Barker said had been welcomed by its general practitioners and patients.
“Our practice will be continuing with the Covid screening questions,” Ms Barker said.
“Anyone who has respiratory symptoms will need to provide evidence of a negative COVID test result not greater than three days old, before being able to enter the building.”
Meanwhile, face-to-face consultations will not be provided for COVID positive patients.
However, telehealth consultations will be available for patients.
The clinic has introduced telehealth consultations which Ms Barker said will still be very vital part of the clinic’s service.
This would be of benefit for respiratory symptomatic patients and for any patients who are in quarantine and isolation.
“Telehealth consultations have also been welcomed by patients for simple script renewal, results receival as well, and combined with receiving their scripts via mobile phone has assisted patients immensely for time management and work commitments,” she said.
Ms Barker said GP’s have welcomed the telehealth consultations for patient reviews, rather than a patient needing to return to the clinic.
Wearing of masks will also continue to be a requirement and must be worn by everyone over the age of 12, including patients with exemptions to mask wearing.
Ms Barker wished to remind the public that testing for COVID is available from the Millicent hospital.
Strict guidelines will also be reintroduced to all people entering the Gladys Smith Early Learning Centre.
A COVID safe method previously implemented that has been reintroduced is the drop off and collection of children at the front door, rather than occurring inside the building.
Caregivers continue to be required to wear a mask then ring a buzzer at the door for a staff member to meet at the door for transfer of children.
Gladys Smith Early Learning Centre director Clara Walker reported almost all staff have already received their first or second vaccines.
“We want to keep ourselves and the children safe,” she said.
“With the probability of COVID-19 cases occurring within our community, we will be guided by SA Government and SA Health as to how to deal with the situation.
“The closing of the centre would depend on the circumstances of the COVID case.
“What we do will depend on the context and we will be informed by SA Health.”
Meanwhile, Ms Walker said due to the opening of borders and uncertainty it brings, the centre again will not be holding its annual Christmas evening this year.
However, children from the centre’s emu room will have their Christmas performance accessible for those parents to view via a computer link
“This was very successful last year and the feedback from parents was fabulous, and the children actually participate much more freely without 200 people watching them,” Ms Walker said.
