Please take note of the below clarification on applying the new guidelines on visitor access.
The guidelines include:
• Limiting visits to a short duration.
• Limiting visits to a maximum of two visitors at one time per day. These may be immediate social supports (family members, close friends) or professional service or advocacy.
• Visits should be conducted in a resident’s room, outdoors, or in a specific area designated by the RACF, rather than communal areas where the risk of transmission to residents is greater.
• No large group visits or gatherings, including social activities or entertainment, should be permitted at this time.
No school groups of any size should be allowed to visit RACFs. Visitors should also be encouraged to practice social distancing practices where possible, including maintaining a distance of 1.5 metres.
Children aged 16 years or less must be permitted to visit only by exception, as they are generally unable to comply with hygiene measures. Exemptions can be assessed on a case-by-case basis, for example, where the resident is in palliative care.
In regards to the ‘professional service’ cohort the Department has been receiving some feedback that some clinical care professionals are being prevented from entering some facilities. The guidelines were designed specifically to allow ‘professional services’ – this includes GPs, Pharmacists, clinical care teams, DBMAS, SBRT, etc.
Read more:
Recommendations to Residential Aged Care Facilities
Coronavirus (COVID-19) guidelines for outbreaks in residential care facilities (.pdf)