DHHS have announced enhanced restrictions in aged care, which was emailed to services at 5pm on 31/12/2020. The Deputy Chief Health Officer has advised no non-essential visitors to Aged Care.

I’m so sorry that we are back to this, in brief:

• Staff are back to wearing face shields as well as surgical masks
• Visiting is again restricted to the most vulnerable residents, visits by essential care givers and for residents receiving end of life care.

You will need to book a visit by contacting Num Rana, the Clinical Manager over the weekend, or Maricar Carew our Clinical Services Manager during normal business hours. Num and Maricar will also need to undertake a risk assessment of any plans to take residents out. I am requesting that visitors be considerate by ensuring that you follow the protocols that have been in place to date; hand hygiene, social distancing, mask wearing, minimise your time in common areas and avoid interactions with residents other than those you are visiting.

The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is regularly updating a list of public exposure sites on its website, and we encourage you to check this list regularly for potential exposure before booking in a visit. I implore all visitors and staff to speak up if you’ve been in any of the identified hot spot areas, or have had contact with anyone who has.