Because the corona situation is easing, Health Minister Klaus Holetschek is in favor of an examination and, if possible, a relaxation of the corona visiting regulations in hospitals. “After talking to the Bavarian Hospital Society, I appeal to the hospitals to adapt their guidelines for patient visits to the changed infection process,” said the CSU politician on Monday in Munich.
Visits are important for the recovery of patients and restrictions on visiting rights must be proportionate. From Holetschek’s point of view, it is time for the clinics to review their regulations on visiting hours, the number of visitors allowed and other requirements. “One thing is clear: the clinics have the best expertise in balancing infection protection and normality. The Free State is therefore not only continuing to refrain from any specifications here, but also has the recommendations made available to the clinics during the corona pandemic for dealing with requests for visits lifted,” he stressed.
Roland Engehausen, Managing Director of the Bavarian Hospital Society, added that fortunately no new corona wave is currently expected in the hospitals. “Therefore, we are now gradually seeing opportunities to adapt the visiting regulations of the clinics to positive developments.” It is to be welcomed if the hospitals can now “judically adapt their visiting regulations to the changed infection situation”, taking local conditions into account. The safety of the patients will of course continue to have top priority.
Just a few days ago, Holetschek overturned the mask requirement for employees in Bavarian medical practices and other outpatient medical facilities. Mouth and nose protection no longer has to be worn there from February 1st. The same applies to people in shared accommodation. The corresponding state mask requirements expire on January 31st.
“As the end of the pandemic progresses, personal responsibility should also take the place of state requirements when it comes to the subject of the obligation to wear masks and test requirements in medical facilities,” said Holetschek. The federal government must consider lifting the federal mask requirements in medical facilities before April 7th. “The facilities themselves know exactly where infectious measures are still necessary.”