Whether you and your family are observing Easter this weekend for our Catholic and Protestant friends, or next weekend for our Orthodox friends, whether in an aged care facility or at home, I am sure that we will be thinking of those whom we love and that we will be missing them. 

We will as much as possible, bring the celebration of Easter to life focusing on family values, connectedness and sharing.  

Our residents have been busy doing Easter crafts, colouring and painting and making baskets. Skyping with family and staying active. Our chefs have Hot Cross Buns at the ready and we have sourced some beautiful chocolates as a gift for each of our residents 

For the Orthodox, preparations are underway for Palm Sunday making palm crosses and decorating our facilities. Residents can view all the church services via live streaming from All Saints Greek Orthodox parish of Belmore which is available on their televisions. 

You may want to come and visit your loved ones in our care during these special days but I’ll remind you that the restrictions set by the Dept of Health are that each resident may only have one visit per day by a maximum of two people for only 30 minutes. Visiting has now been limited between the hours of 10am and 4pm. You may be stopped from entering if the person you are visiting has already had a visit that day. Furthermore, from today, each visitor will only be allowed onsite every seven days. We will be keeping records at the front door. If you have already visited in the previous seven days, you will not be permitted to enter. 
 
Finally, you will not be permitted to bring food or to leave food or any other item.  

We’re taking these steps to keep you and your loved one safe and to keep our staff safe, so that they can look after your loved ones. We are mindful that these conditions may last from six to nine months, perhaps more. So, we want to set rules that are safe but also reasonable and sustainable.