Older people are more at risk of contracting coronavirus (COVID-19).

Managers, staff, family, friends and residents are working together to protect our most vulnerable community members.

In order to protect our residents, new restrictions on visits to aged care facilities apply.

Who can enter or remain on premises

A person must not enter or remain on the premises:

• if they have symptoms which may be consistent with coronavirus (COVID-19)
• if they have not had their flu vaccine
• are under the age of 16 where they are not providing end of life support to a resident
• have been in contact with a person with coronavirus (COVID-19).

A person must not enter or remain on the premises of an aged care facility unless the person is one of the following:

• an officer, employee or contractor of the facility
• a person providing goods or services necessary for the operation of the facility
• a person providing health, medical or pharmaceutical goods or services to a resident of the facility
• a person providing end of life support to a resident of the facility
• a person required for emergency management or law enforcement
• a prospective resident of the facility
• a legal practitioner providing legal services to a resident of the facility
  • A legal practitioner entering the premises of the facility:
    • (a) to take instructions from a client who is a resident of the facility or
    • (b) for the purpose of executing a will by a client who is a resident of the facility.

• a person performing regulatory functions or duties in relation to the facility, including an inspection of the facility.

Residents

Like all members of the community, you have an important role to play in protecting your own health.

In addition to practising good hygiene and physical distancing, there will be restrictions on visits to residential aged care facilities.

Large group visits, gatherings and external excursions will be postponed. You will be supported to stay connected with family and friends by phone and video calls.

If you develop symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19), you will be kept separate from other residents and will not be able to see visitors.

Health care and residential care workers will continue to provide support and care while you are isolated.

If you need to leave your room, such as for medical care, you will be required to wear a surgical mask, which will be provided by healthcare workers. There is no need for any healthy resident to wear a mask.

Visitors

If you have returned from overseas or been in contact with someone confirmed to have coronavirus (COVID-19) in the last 14 days, you will not be able to visit a residential aged care facility.

You are also not allowed to visit if you have a fever, symptoms of a respiratory illness, or if you have not been vaccinated against influenza.

From 1 May 2020, you must have your influenza vaccination in order to visit an aged care facility.

Visits should be short, and conducted in the resident’s room, outside, or in a specific designated area (not a communal space).

Each resident may have no more than two visitors, including doctors, at a time.

Visits by children aged 16 years and under are not permitted except in special circumstances.

You and anyone else who is visiting will need to wash your hands before entering and leaving a resident’s room.

You will also be encouraged to practise physical distancing where possible, including to stay away when unwell.

Managers and staff

Residential aged care facilities are taking extra precautions to keep residents safe from coronavirus (COVID-19).

The health of staff will be closely monitored. New and returning residents will be screened before entry. Signage and other types of communication will be used to explain the steps being taken to protect the health of residents.