Archives: Covid 19 Updates

Covid 19 Updates

Dear Residents and Families/Representatives,

St. Basil’s NSW/ACT want to keep residents and workers as safe as possible during the coronavirus pandemic. This means that the requirements for visiting  our residential aged care homes are over and above the current requirements by NSW Health. Until further notice they are as follows:

Visitors:

Residents are permitted to have two fully vaccinated visitors aged 12 years and over, plus two children aged under 12 years per day.

  • Visitors aged 12 years and over must have received a second dose of a COVID vaccination at least 14 days prior to their visit.
  • Children under 12 years are permitted to visit provided they are accompanied by a fully vaccinated person
  • Where visits include a child under 12 it is strongly recommended, where possible:
    • the visit is in an outdoor area
    • the child should wear a mask
    • the child should have Rapid Antigen Testing (RAT) just before the visit
  • Visits should not be in any inside communal areas. All visitors must wear a surgical mask while visiting indoors. For reasons when masks can be removed please see Additional Advice – Mandatory mask wearing.
  • People who are providing a service to the resident (including a health or other professional service) are not counted in the number of visitors permitted.

 The Minister has signed an exemption to the Public Health (COVID-19 Care Services) Order 2021 to allow more than 2 visitors per day for the purposes of visiting a resident who is at the end of life.

  • The exemption is subject to the condition that the operator of the facility takes reasonable steps to ensure:
    • no more than 4 people (including children) visit at any one time
    • all visitors 12 years and over wear a mask while in an indoor area, unless the visitor is interacting with the resident they are visiting
    • there is minimal interaction between the visitors and the staff and other residents
  • The visitors in this circumstance do not need to be vaccinated, however appropriate care must be taken if unvaccinated visitors are entering the facility. It is strongly recommended:
    • the visit is solely inside the resident’s room and
    • where possible, the visitors have Rapid Antigen Testing (RAT) just before the visit.

Visitors must not enter an RACF at all if they:

  • have COVID-19 symptoms
  • are a close or casual contact of a person with confirmed COVID-19 unless they have completed their self-isolation and testing requirements.
  • are waiting for a COVID-19 test result.
  • have been to an overseas country of concern in the last 14 days
  • have been to other overseas countries (not of concern) in the previous 14 days, unless they are:
    • fully vaccinated and have received a negative PCR test 7 days or later after arrival in NSW

 

Residents:

Residents are permitted to leave the facility and attend family gatherings or for other reasons but must abide by the current Public Health (COVID-19 General) Order 2021.

Facilities must ensure that residents are provided with appropriate personal protective equipment, infection control and mask wearing advice if they leave the facility. See the latest face mask rules.

If a person cannot wear a face mask because of a disability, physical or mental health illness or condition, they must carry either:

  • a medical certificate or letter signed by a registered health practitioner (such as a doctor) or a registered NDIS provider or
  • a statutory declaration.

Please read Additional Advice – Residents attending family gatherings or excursions.

 

Before going on an outing, the “Consumer Outing Risk Assessment Form” must be completed by the consumer or the responsible person taking the consumer on the outing.  Social outing may take place provided that it’s done in a COVID safe manner and you provide St Basil’s management with at least 24 hours’ notice. It is preferable that you have evidence of a negative COVID-19 test result (from the within the last 72 hours of your visit) before visiting our homes or taking your loved one on an outing.

If you have any queries or concerns, please reach out to your facility General Manager.

Dear Resident Families or Representatives,

Currently there is an increase in COVID-19 cases in and around the Lakemba area which creates a higher risk to our residents and workforce at Lakemba. Due to this increased risk we have made changes to the requirements for visiting our Lakemba home that are in addition to the current requirements by NSW Health. The additional requirements are as follows:

 

  • All visitors must show evidence of a negative COVID-19 test that is no more than 3 days old.
  • All visitors must make a booking prior to attending our home. Bookings can be made via email lakemba@stbasils.org.au or over the phone 02 9784 3200.
  • Visitors must only convene in the resident’s room or in an outdoor area, and must maintain social distancing of 1.5m and good hand hygiene.

 

Please be reminded that a condition of visiting our home is that you wear a mask at all times during your visit whether you are indoors or outdoors.

 

To read about all other visiting requirements visit our website here: https://stbasils.org.au/covidupdate/update-to-visiting-requirements-and-covid-restrictions/

 

If you have any queries or concerns, please reach out to us.

 

Yours sincerely,

Meriem Mota and Danna Huang

Facility General Managers

Dear Residents and Families/Representatives,

St Basil’s is pleased to have recently welcomed family, friends and nominated representatives back into our homes to visit their loved ones. It has been a joy to see people reconnect after such a challenging time.  The current requirements for visiting our residential aged care homes according to NSW Health are as follows:

Residents are permitted to have two fully vaccinated visitors aged 12 years and over, plus two children aged under 12 years per day.

  • Visitors aged 12 years and over must have received a second dose of a COVID vaccination at least 14 days prior to their visit
  • Children under 12 years are permitted to visit provided they are accompanied by a fully vaccinated person
  • Where visits include a child under 12 it is strongly recommended, where possible:
    • the visit is in an outdoor area
    • the child should wear a mask
    • the child should have Rapid Antigen Testing (RAT) just before the visit
  • Visits should not be in any inside communal areas. All visitors must wear a surgical mask while visiting indoors
  • People who are providing a service to the resident (including a health or other professional service) are not counted in the number of visitors permitted

 

There is an exemption to allow 4 visitors per day for the purposes of visiting a resident who is at the end of life. The exemption is subject to the condition that:

  • no more than 4 people (including children) visit at any one time
  • all visitors 12 years and over wear a mask while in an indoor area, unless the visitor is interacting with the resident they are visiting
  • there is minimal interaction between the visitors and the staff and other residents
  • The visitors in this circumstance do not need to be vaccinated, however appropriate care must be taken if unvaccinated visitors are entering the facility. It is strongly recommended:
    • the visit is solely inside the resident’s room and
    • where possible, the visitors have Rapid Antigen Testing (RAT) just before the visit.

 

Visitors must not enter an RACF at all if they:

  • have COVID-19 symptoms
  • are a close or casual contact of a person with confirmed COVID-19 unless they have completed their self-isolation and testing requirements
  • are waiting for a COVID-19 test result
  • have been overseas in the previous 14 days, unless they are:
  • fully vaccinated and have received a negative test 7 days or later after arrival in NSW
  • a fully vaccinated international flight crew member and have a negative PCR test within 24 hours of arrival in NSW or a negative RAT taken on the same day prior to entry.

 

Residents are permitted to leave the facility and attend family gatherings or for other reasons but must abide by the current Public Health (COVID-19 General) Order 2021.

Facilities must ensure that residents are provided with appropriate personal protective equipment, infection control and mask wearing advice if they leave the facility.

If a person cannot wear a face mask because of a disability, physical or mental health illness or condition, they must carry either:

  • a medical certificate or letter signed by a registered health practitioner (such as a doctor) or a registered NDIS provider or
  • a statutory declaration.

Before going on an outing, the “Consumer Outing Risk Assessment Form” must be completed by the consumer or the responsible person taking the consumer on the outing.  Social outing may take place provided that it’s done in a COVID safe manner and you provide St Basil’s management with at least 24 hours’ notice. It is preferable that you have evidence of a negative COVID-19 test result (from the within the last 72 hours of your visit) before visiting our homes or taking your loved one on an outing.

Download the Outing Form 

 

If you have any queries or concerns, please reach out to your facility General Manager.

Yours sincerely,

Spiro Stavis, Chief Executive Officer

St Basil’s is pleased to be welcoming family, friends and nominated representatives back into our homes to visit their loved ones. It has been a challenging time, and we appreciated your patience and cooperation.

As of 8am on Monday 11th October St Basil’s Homes will be opening our doors to visitors again, and we are extremely excited! We cannot wait to see the joy that will be created by having everyone
re-connect in person.

With COVID-19 still very present in the community, it’s critical that we maintain infection prevention practices for the safety of our cherished residents, our workplace and the community.

Visitor requirements include:
• all visitors aged 12 years and over to all aged care facilities must have received two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine as least 14 days prior to their visit unless they can provide a COVID-19 medical contraindication certificate or the visit is for end of life.
• Only two (2) visitors per day per resident are allowed
• Visitors must wear a surgical mask within the facility, and practice social distancing of 1.5m
• Visitors must have a pre-approved booking to visit the home, with a visitation time of up to 30 minutes
• You must take direction from facility staff and will be escorted by staff to and from the resident’s room or a designated visiting area assigned by management
• Non-COVID vaccinated people can attend for end of life reasons only, and must wear full PPE as instructed by staff on attendance

  • It is preferable that you have evidence of a negative COVID-19 test result (from the within the last 72 hours of your visit) before visiting our homes or taking your loved one on an outing.

Bookings should be made via telephone or email directly with the home where your loved one resides. When making your booking you must provide evidence of your two COVID vaccinations by way of an immunisation certificate or Medicare certificate.

Visitors must not enter our facilities at all if they:
• are not double-vaccinated for COVID-19, unless for end of life reasons
• have been to any close, casual or monitor for symptoms locations in NSW OR Victoria, Queensland, and the Australian Capital Territory OR New Zealand in the last 14 days
• have been in a stay at home area in the last 14 days and are not an essential visitor
• have COVID-19 symptoms
• are a close contact of a person with confirmed COVID-19 and are within their isolation period
• live in a household with a person who is currently isolating
• are waiting for a COVID-19 test result
• are under the age of 12

Residents are permitted to leave the facility and attend small family gatherings but must abide by the current Public Health (COVID-19 Additional Restrictions for Delta Outbreak) Order (No 2) 2021, and must not go into an area that is currently under a stay at home Order.

Before going on leave, a “Consumer Outing Risk Assessment Form” must be filled out by the consumer or the responsible person taking the consumer out on social leave. Social outing may take place provided that it’s done in a COVID Safe manner and you provide administration or management of the home with some notice (at least 24hrs before). Copy of the leave form attached.

St Basil’s anticipates that NSW Health will continue to update the Public Health Order regularly. If we receive any updated information we will be sure to advise you.

If you have any queries or concerns, please reach out to your facility General Manager.

The NSW Government’s public health order restrictions that are in place now also apply to people living in the Bayside, Burwood, Strathfield or Penrith (specific suburbs) Local Government Areas (LGAs).

Requirements for essential visitors to St Basil’s Homes include:

  • You are only permitted to enter the facility for essential purpose such as compassionate grounds or medical reasons. Residents may have a maximum of two essential visitors each day which cannot be different visitors each day with all visits must be by appointment and approved by the Facility General Manager
  • You must take direction from facility staff and will be escorted by staff to and from the resident’s room or a designated visiting area assigned by management
  • You must wear a surgical mask within the facility, and practice social distancing of 1.5m
  • You must not attend more than one St Basil’s Home per day
  • Residents should avoid leaving the facility except for essential reasons (eg medical appointments).

 If you live in Fairfield, Canterbury-Bankstown, Liverpool, Cumberland, Blacktown, Parramatta, George’s River, Campbelltown, Bayside, Burwood, Strathfield or Penrith (specific suburbs) Local Government Areas (LGA) and are an approved essential visitor any St Basil’s Home you must show evidence of your COVID test with a negative result each time you attend and it must be no more than 3 days old.

You must not enter the facility at all if you:

  • have been to Victoria since 5 August 2021 or the Local Government areas of Cairns and Yarrabah in Queensland since 8 August 2021 unless providing essential caring functionsor for end of life visits.
  • have been to any close and casual contact places of high concernin Victorian or Queensland
  • have COVID-19 symptoms– fever (37. 5°C or higher) or symptoms of COVID-19
  • are a close contact of a person with confirmed COVID-19 and are within their self-isolation period
  • live in a household with a person who is currently self-isolating
  • are waiting for a COVID-19 test result
  • have not received a dose of the 2021 influenza vaccine, unless they have an exemption approved by St Basil’s.

It is important to keep connected to your loved ones, especially during these difficult times. Please remember that there are several ways for you to connect with your loved ones each day;

  • Telephone calls
  • Facetime or zoom video calls, by appointment
  • Window visits at some of our Homes upon request, and only by appointment

Your understanding and cooperation is greatly appreciated, thank you.

Dear Residents, Consumers and Families,

The NSW Government has extended public health order restrictions to at least 12:01am on 28th August 2021.

Requirements for essential visitors to St Basil’s Homes include:

  • You are only permitted to enter the facility for essential purposes such as compassionate grounds or medical reasons. Residents may have a maximum of two essential visitors each day which cannot be different visitors each day with all visits must be by appointment and approved by the Facility General Manager
  • You must take direction from facility staff and will be escorted by staff to and from the resident’s room or a designated visiting area assigned by management
  • You must wear a surgical mask within the facility, and practice social distancing of 1.5m
  • You must not attend more than one St Basil’s Home per day
  • Residents should avoid leaving the facility except for essential reasons (eg medical appointments).

If you live in Fairfield, Canterbury-Bankstown, Liverpool,  Cumberland, Blacktown, Parramatta, George’s River or Campbelltown Local Government Areas (LGA) and are an approved essential visitor any St Basil’s Home you must show evidence of your COVID test with a negative result each time you attend and it must be no more than 3 days old.

 

You must not enter the facility at all if you:

  • have COVID-19 symptoms – fever (37. 5°C or higher) or symptoms of COVID-19
  • are a close contact of a person with confirmed COVID-19 and are within their self-isolation period
  • live in a household with a person who is currently self-isolating
  • are waiting for a COVID-19 test result
  • have not received a dose of the 2021 influenza vaccine, unless they have an exemption approved by St Basil’s.

It is important to keep connected to your loved ones, especially during these difficult times. Please remember that there are several ways for you to connect with your loved ones each day;

  • Telephone calls
  • Facetime or zoom video calls, by appointment
  • Window visits at some of our Homes upon request, and only by appointment

 

Your understanding and cooperation is greatly appreciated, thank you.

Yours sincerely,

Spiro Stavis

Chief Executive Officer

Dear Residents, Consumers and Families,

The NSW Government has extended public health order restrictions to at least 11:59pm on Friday 30th July 2021.

  • Visitors are only permitted to enter the facility for essential purposes such as compassionate grounds or medical reasons. Residents may have a maximum of two essential visitors each day which cannot be different visitors each day with all visits must be by appointment and approved by the Facility General Manager
  • Essential visitors must take direction from facility staff and will be escorted by staff to and from the resident’s room or a designated visiting area assigned by management
  • Essential visitors must wear a surgical mask within the facility, and practice social distancing of 1.5m
  • Essential visitors must not attend more than one St Basil’s Home per day
  • Residents should avoid leaving the facility except for essential reasons (eg medical appointments).

If you live in Fairfield, Canterbury-Bankstown, Liverpool, Cumberland or Blacktown Local Government Areas (LGA) and are an approved essential visitor any St Basil’s Home you must show evidence of your COVID test with a negative result each time you attend and it must be no more than 3 days old.

 

You must not enter the facility at all if you:

  • have COVID-19 symptoms – fever (37. 5°C or higher) or symptoms of COVID-19
  • are a close contact of a person with confirmed COVID-19 and are within their self-isolation period
  • live in a household with a person who is currently self-isolating
  • are waiting for a COVID-19 test result
  • have not received a dose of the 2021 influenza vaccine, unless they have an exemption approved by St Basil’s.

It is important to keep connected to your loved ones, especially during these difficult times. Please remember that there are several ways for you to connect with your loved ones each day;

  • Telephone calls
  • Facetime or zoom video calls, by appointment
  • Window visits at some of our Homes upon request, and only by appointment

Your understanding and cooperation is greatly appreciated, thank you.

Yours sincerely,

Spiro Stavis

Chief Executive Officer

Dear Residents, Consumers and Families,

The NSW Government has extended public health order restrictions to at least 11:59pm on Friday 30th July 2021.

  • Visitors are only permitted to enter the facility for essential purposes such as compassionate grounds or medical reasons. Residents may have a maximum of two essential visitors each day which cannot be different visitors each day with all visits must be by appointment and approved by the Facility General Manager
  • Essential visitors must take direction from facility staff and will be escorted by staff to and from the resident’s room or a designated visiting area assigned by management
  • Essential visitors must wear a surgical mask within the facility, and practice social distancing of 1.5m
  • Essential visitors must not attend more than one St Basil’s Home per day
  • Residents should avoid leaving the facility except for essential reasons (eg medical appointments).

If you live in Fairfield LGA and are an approved essential visitor any St Basil’s Home you must show evidence of your COVID test with a negative result each time you attend and it must be no more than 3 days old. Here is a map and a list of the suburbs in the Fairfield Local Government Area.

 

You must not enter the facility at all if you:

  • have been to any close or casual contact locations in NSW in the last 14 days, excluding the monitor for symptoms list
  • have been to any close and casual contact places of high concern in Victoria, Queensland, Western Australia or the Northern Territory
  • have COVID-19 symptoms – fever (37. 5°C or higher) or symptoms of COVID-19
  • are a close contact of a person with confirmed COVID-19 and are within their self-isolation period
  • live in a household with a person who is currently self-isolating
  • are waiting for a COVID-19 test result
  • have not received a dose of the 2021 influenza vaccine, unless they have an exemption approved by St Basil’s.
  • have attended another St Basil’s facility on or after Tuesday 13th July.

 

It is important to keep connected to your loved ones, especially during these difficult times. Please remember that there are several ways for you to connect with your loved ones each day;

  • Telephone calls
  • Facetime or zoom video calls, by appointment
  • Window visits at some of our Homes upon request, and only by appointment

 

Your understanding and cooperation is greatly appreciated, thank you.
Yours sincerely,

Spiro Stavis
Chief Executive Officer

[As at 16 July 2021]

Dear Residents, Consumers and Families,

On 13th July, the NSW Government has issued a public health order with the following requirements in place for people living in the Fairfield Local Government Area (LGA):

  • You should only leave home for essential reasons
  • If you are attending St Basil’s Homes for essential purposes you must have regular COVID tests, to demonstrates that you are COVID free even if you don’t have symptoms. Testing should be done every 3 days.

If you live in Fairfield LGA and are visiting any St Basil’s Homes you must show evidence of your COVID test with a negative result each time you attend and it must be no more than 3 days old. Here is a map and a list of the suburbs in the Fairfield Local Government Area.

In addition to the above you must not enter the facility at all if you:

  • have COVID-19 symptoms – fever (37. 5°C or higher) or symptoms of COVID-19
  • are a close contact of a person with confirmed COVID-19 and are within their self-isolation period
  • live in a household with a person who is currently self-isolating
  • are waiting for a COVID-19 test result
  • have not received a dose of the 2021 influenza vaccine, unless they have an exemption approved by St Basil’s
  • have attended another St Basil’s facility on or after Tuesday 13th July.

 

It is important to keep connected to your loved ones, especially during these difficult times. Please remember that there are several ways for you to connect with your loved ones each day;

  • Telephone calls
  • Facetime or zoom video calls, by appointment
  • Window visits at some of our Homes upon request, and only by appointment

 

Your understanding and cooperation is greatly appreciated, thank you.

Yours sincerely,

Spiro Stavis
Chief Executive Officer

Dear Residents, Consumers and Families,

In line with advice from Australian Government health agencies regarding COVID-19 lockdown and restrictions across NSW, the following requirements will be in place until at least 11:59pm on Friday 16th  July:

  • Visitors are only permitted to enter the facility for essential purposes such as compassionate grounds or medical reasons. Residents may have a maximum of two essential visitors each day which cannot be different visitors each day with all visits must be by appointment and approved by the Facility General Manager
  • Essential visitors must take direction from facility staff and will be escorted by staff to and from the resident’s room or a designated visiting area assigned by management
  • Essential visitors must wear a surgical mask within the facility, and practice social distancing of 1.5m
  • Essential visitors must not attend more than one St Basil’s Home per day
  • Residents should avoid leaving the facility except for essential reasons (eg medical appointments).

Visitors must not enter the facility at all if they:

  • are a close contact of a person with confirmed COVID-19 and are within their self-isolation period
  • live in a household with a person who is currently self-isolating
  • are waiting for a COVID-19 test result
  • have not received a dose of the 2021 influenza vaccine, unless they have an exemption approved by St Basil’s.

It is important to keep connected to your loved ones, especially during these difficult times. Please remember that there are several ways for you to connect with your loved ones each day;

  • Telephone calls
  • Facetime or zoom video calls, by appointment
  • Window visits at some of our Homes upon request, and only by appointment

Further details of NSW Health’s latest advice can be found here: https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/covid-19/Pages/racf-latest-advice.aspx

Your understanding and cooperation is greatly appreciated, thank you.

Yours sincerely,

Spiro Stavis, Chief Executive Officer

[As at 9 July 2021]