TIFTON — Due to a downward trend of COVID-19 cases, Southwell has eased visitor restrictions at Tift Regional Medical Center in Tifton, Southwell Medical in Adel and all Southwell clinics and outpatient centers located throughout the region.

Personnel at Southwell facilities will no longer perform COVID-19 screenings at visitor entry points, hospital officials said in a statement; the move went into effect March 22. All visitors will be required to wear a mask and must self-screen prior to entry. 

“By entering a Southwell facility, visitors will be confirming that they are not currently COVID-19 positive and are not exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms,” hospital officials said.

“We are already back to normal visitation for non-COVID patients,” said Alex Le, chief operating officer for TRMC. “We are encouraged by the decline of coronavirus cases. But Southwell will continue to monitor infection rates and we will make adjustments to the visitation policy if needed.”

Le encouraged local residents to get vaccinated for COVID-19 and follow other preventive measures.

“Southwell continues to offer free vaccination and booster shots, as they are the best defense against coronavirus,” Le said. “We ask local residents to refer to the Centers for Disease Control for continued guidance.”

Visit www.MySouthwell.com/COVID-19 for the latest information on visitation, vaccinations, testing, etc.

“We thank the community for their continued support,” Le said. “We’d also like to give a big thanks to all of our clinicians, working tirelessly on the front line to care for people in need and our support staff working behind the scenes, in the fight against coronavirus.”