All patients from the Southern NSW Local Health District can now enter the ACT for scheduled medical treatment without applying for an exemption.
ACT Chief Health Officer Kerryn Coleman signed the standing exemption health order this week for Eden-Monaro residents who need to travel to the ACT for essential health care and specialist appointments, after discussions between ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr and Federal Member for Eden-Monaro Kristy McBain.
Mr Barr said the standing exemption would remain in place until the end of the declared COVID-19 public health emergency.
During lockdown, NSW visitors to the ACT must follow the ACT Government’s public health advice on the COVID-19 website and any instructions from staff at health facilities, Mr Barr said.
Ms McBain said this arrangement with ACT Health would make a huge difference for a lot of patients in her electorate.
“Prior to this standing exemption, I was approached by countless people from Braidwood to Cooma and down on the coast who were all worried about missing essential medical treatment because their application for an exemption hadn’t been approved,” Ms McBain said.
“With the Victorian border closed and Sydney at the epicentre of the current pandemic, people in my electorate have been reliant on Canberra health services for specialist appointments and life-saving treatment.
“Southern NSW residents want to do the right thing and people are following stay at home orders, but this can’t come at the expense of their critical healthcare.
“This standing exemption means people don’t need to stress about missing essential surgeries, ongoing cancer treatment, or regular specialist check-ups while waiting for an exemption to be approved.”
Further details about ACT standing exemptions can be found here.
