Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Aged Care: Visits Restricted

In response to the COVID-19 (Coronaviurus) outbreak in Australia, Prime Minister Scott Morrison has announced further restrictions to protect those living in aged care facilities.

As of March 18, the following restrictions are currently in place:

• Visits to be short
• Two people at a time
• Restricted to the residents' room or outdoor area

You will NOT be permitted to enter an aged care facility if:

• You have returned from overseas in the last 14 days
• You have been in contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19 in the last 14 days
• You have a fever or other symptoms or acute respiratory infection
• You have not been vaccinated against influenza after May 1^st

Aged care facilities must take extra precautions when it comes to visits. These include:

• making sure visits are kept short
• allowing no more than two visitors, including doctors, at a time
• making sure visits occur in a resident’s room, outdoors, or in a specific area they designate - there should be no visiting in communal areas
• ensuring there are no large group visits or gatherings, including social activities or entertainment

No school groups of any size are allowed to visit residential aged care facilities. 

No children aged under 16 years are permitted to visit residential aged care facilities except in special circumstances.

If you are wanting to visit a loved one in aged care, please ensure that you call ahead to the facility to check their current protocol. 

If you CAN still visit your loved ones in aged care, PLEASE DO! Visitors are always appreciated, especially in times like these. Just be aware and remember to stick to the guidelines.

Aged Care Online will be continuously updating you on the Coronavirus in relation aged care. Follow us on Facebook for updates.