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Some hospital visitors are still ignoring rules to limit the spread of covid and have been abusing staff who try to enforce them, according to the Chief Nurse.
While masks are no longer compulsory in public spaces across the island, visitors must still wear them when visiting the General Hospital and other health sites.
They must also refrain from attending if they have any covid symptoms. Anyone who does not comply with these rules may be asked to leave the premises.
However, as covid cases in health premises hit a record high at 51 yesterday, the Government reported that, since 26 February, there had been a number of reports of visitors breaking the rules.
Some attendees did not wear their masks correctly or refused to wear one at all, and were "verbally abusive" to staff who asked them to wear one.
Pictured: The Government said staff had been subjected to verbal abuse by a small number of visitors who have not complied with safety measures.
Chief Nurse Rose Naylor is now urging islanders to respect the safety measures.
"It is really disappointing that people are still choosing to come into hospital sites with symptoms, or if they just don't feel well," she said.
"In a small number of cases, visitors have verbally abused staff who are trying to protect our patients. This is simply not acceptable
"While we understand the importance of visits, and that having a loved one in hospital can be a worrying time, our first priority is to keep vulnerable patients safe."
She continued: "Although guidance about mask wearing has relaxed in other areas, which is welcome news for Islanders, we must emphasise that masks must continue to be worn if you are in any of our Hospital sites for any reason; whether visiting a loved one, attending for an appointment, picking up a prescription from the Hospital Pharmacy, or visiting the Emergency Department."
In mid-January, the entire hospital was shut to visitors – with exceptions for end-of-life and maternity visits – after some passed covid to patients.
At the time, the Health Minister explained that members of the public had been continuing to visit the hospital while unwell, and had also been abusing staff as they tried to enforce covid rules.
"I am... angry to hear that clinical staff have been abused in this way; they come to work to care for islanders and I am really proud of all that they do," Deputy Richard Renouf said at the time.
"We need to do all we can to make sure they are supported."
Visits eventually resumed at the end of January with strong guidance for visitors to take a lateral flow test in advance before visiting.
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