The Rotunda Hospital has introduced mandatory face mask rules following the worrying rise in COVID-19 infections.
All patients and visitors will be required to wear face coverings at the Dublin maternity hospital.
Face masks have already been made compulsory on all public transport including Dublin Bus, Luas, and Irish Rail.
Earlier this evening Acting Chief Medical Officer Dr Ronan Glynn urged the public to wear face coverings especially in healthcare settings.
Rachel Kenna, Chief Nursing Officer, Department of Health, added: “Our healthcare workers have been at the front line since March and they deserve our best efforts to continue to minimise the spread of this virus.
“The impact of any increase in cases will be hard on healthcare workers, who have already given so much to keep us safe this year. Let’s reward their dedicated and unwavering service by holding firm on COVID-19."
Other rules for visitors put in place by the Rotunda Hospital are:
- All woman giving birth can have one nominated partner with them for labour and birth once they are admitted to the delivery suite or theatre
- Each woman attending for her 20 -22 week anatomy scan (also known as anomaly scan) may have a nominated companion with her for this appointment
- One named and nominated partner can visit inpatients on their postnatal, prenatal and gynae wards from 5pm - 7pm Monday to Friday. Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holidays visiting hours will be from 2pm - 7pm.
- In the NICU, mums who are in the Hospital may visit at any time, for feeding. Parents who are discharged from the Hospital can visit from 11am to 7pm daily. Parents will be required to wear hospital grade surgical masks when in the NICU.
The hospital is also urging those who show any signs or symptoms of COVID-19 to not visit the hospital.
