Covid 19 Visiting Rules
28th December 2020

Covid-19 Visiting Rules and Restrictions

Updated 28th December 2020

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Elderly are Still at Risk

Persons aged 70+ years are at high risk of severe illness or death if they contract Covid 19 (Corona Virus). This is especially true for frail and elderly members of our community being cared for in aged care homes.

Families should consider non-contact methods to maintain communication with their relatives or friends in an aged care home. Alternative contact methods are usually smart-phone and computer-based video calls.

However, it is recognised and accepted that you cannot beat a personal "face-to-face" visit with a loved one. This provides welcomed support and happiness to a person in aged care.

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Key Points about Aged Care Visits during Covid-19

There are no limits on the purpose of visits, the number of visitors or the length of the visit. Visits to people living in care facilities are no longer limited by Chief Health Officer directions. Visitors will need to follow visiting rules set by the facility. People of any age can visit people in care facilities.

Do not visit someone in a care facility if you are feeling unwell.

Visitors to any care facility across Victoria must wear a face mask, unless they have a lawful reason for not doing so.

All personal care workers, including hairdressers and barbers, can visit care facilities to provide hairdressing services to residents.

Care facilities must comply with the four square metre rule that limit the number of people that can be in a shared communal space at the same time. Density limits do not apply in bedrooms of aged care facilities.

Restrictions on visitors to care facilities

• There are no longer specific limits under the Victorian Chief Health Officer’s directions for visitors to care facilities. This means that the number of visits, the length of the visit and the purpose of the visit are no longer limited by Chief Health Officer directions. Visitors will need to follow visiting rules set by the facility. People of any age can visit people in care facilities. 
• When you visit a person in an aged care facility you will have to wear a face mask, unless you have a lawful excuse not to. You must not visit people in care facilities if you feel unwell.
• Residents of care facilities can go out from the care

Changes in Visitor restrictions

Visits to people living in care facilities are no longer limited by Chief Health Officer directions. Visitors will need to follow visiting rules set by the facility.

There are no longer specific limits for visitors to care facilities. This means that:

• The number of visits, the length of the visit and the purpose of the visitor are no longer limits by the Chief Health Officer directions.
• People of any age can visit people in care facilities.
• Do not visit someone in a care facility if you are feeling unwell
• Visitors to any care facility across Victoria must wear a face mask, unless they have a lawful reason for not doing so. 
• Hairdressers and beauty service providers can now attend facilities. 

Which types of care facilities are covered? 

This applies to all the following care facilities, whether operated by government, the private sector or not-for-profit organisations:

• residential aged care facilities
• alcohol and drug residential services
• homelessness residential services
• disability residential services
• specialist disability accommodation
• short-term accommodation and assistance dwellings
• Supported Residential Services (SRS)
• Disability Forensic Assessment and Treatment Services (DFATS)
• Thomas Embling Hospital

Who can visit people in care facilities?

There are no limits on the purpose of visits, the number of visitors or the length of the visit. Visitors will need to follow visiting rules set by the facility.

• People of any age can visit people in care facilities.
• Do not visit someone in a care facility if you are feeling unwell
• Visitors to any care facility across Victoria must wear a face mask, unless they have a lawful reason for not doing so. 

Any visitor who is unwell or is waiting for a coronavirus (COVID-19) test result should not visit. 

Are there limits on visits? 

There are no limits on the purpose of visits, the number of visitors or the length of the visit. Visitors will need to follow visiting rules set by the facility.

All Victorian care facilities need to keep a record of people who works at or visits each care facility and when. Records need to be kept for 28 days from the day of entry. Record the following details: 

• the contact details of the person; and 
• the date and time at which that person entered and left the care facility 
• their declaration answers (see above) 
• screening outcome (e.g. temperature if conducted).

Can people with disability attend centre based disability day services?

Under the Last Step of the roadmap, people with disability may attend centre-based disability day services. This includes people who live in disability residential services. Centre-based disability day services must ensure COVIDSafe principles are implemented including face masks being worn (unless an exemption applies), physical distancing, and that density requirements, gathering limits and limits on the number of individuals for specific activities are met.

Do I need to call the facility before I visit someone?

No. However you should be aware that the facility may have additional requirements, conditions or restrictions for entry. In exceptional cases only, and normally only on specific advice from the Department of Health and Human Services, some areas may be closed to visitors to keep vulnerable residents safe or restrict who can visit to close family. 

What other conditions apply to visitors?

Visitors should not enter any of the nominated care facilities if they: 

• are unwell with flu-like symptoms, such as a cough, sore throat, runny nose, shortness of breath, or fever of 37.5 degrees or higher 
• have had known contact in the last 14 days with a person who was a confirmed case of coronavirus (COVID-19) 
• arrived in Australia within the last 14 days. 

Aged Care Placement Service

The Aged Care Connect placement team has the experience to assist you with all aspects of aged care placement:

• be aware of all the current residential care options available.
• find and secure quality aged care accommodation.
• help with all steps of the residential care application process.
• negotiate the RAD accommodation fees and associated charges.
• complete and submit all required paperwork – including the Request for Combined Assets and Income Assessment.
• inform you immediately where the vacancies are as we receive the latest availability direct from the aged care providers.
• advocate on your behalf through the wait-list process at your preferred aged care homes.
• provide post placement assistance during the settling in period.

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