News and Notices

Alert Level 4: Healthcare services, where to get tested and hospital visitor rules


New Zealand is in COVID-19 Alert Level 4.

Visitor restrictions

To protect patients and staff we have activated our hospital visitor restrictions for Alert Level 4.

This means no visitors will be granted access to our hospitals.

An exception may be made for one family member, legal guardian or support person to attend where there is a high level of requirement for support (e.g. disability or compassionate grounds such as end-of-life). 

This one visitor will need to be screened and granted access by the relevant ward charge nurse manager or charge midwife manager or senior duty manager. To request visitation approval please phone the main line and ask to be put through to the ward you want to visit: 03 546 1800.

Planned care postponements

We may have to postpone your planned care (elective surgery) or other appointment during Alert Level 4. Or we may offer you an alternative appointment by phone or video conferencing instead (telehealth). 

In these cases we will contact you directly to arrange this. Please attend your appointment unless you hear from us.

Healthcare services, where to get tested and information about the virus

Please refer to our main COVID-19 webpage for information about the health and disability services available during Alert Level 4, where to get tested, COVID-19 symptoms and more. There are three CBAC testing centres open in Nelson, Blenheim and Motueka in addition to testing availability from GPs and after-hours centres.

COVID-19 vaccination is available during Alert Level 4

The vaccination centres are open and have been made safe for you to attend, with physical distancing and infection prevention methods in place. You are required to wear a face mask when you attend your appointment and the vaccinators will also be wearing masks. 

If you have an existing appointment, please attend it unless you have been contacted directly to advise otherwise. Bookings are now open for everyone aged 40+. Go the main page about your vaccination options.