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28 June 2021

Coronavirus Update

Monday 28 June 2021

Good afternoon all,

Please find the following information providing staff with an update on the COVID-19 pandemic. The following information has been directed by the NSW Department of Health and will be in force until 11.59pm 9 July.

COVID-19 restrictions now apply to regional NSW

If you live anywhere outside of Greater Sydney, which includes the Blue Mountains, Shellharbour, Central Coast and Wollongong, there are new restrictions:

  • Visitors to households limited to 5 guests – including children.
  • Masks are compulsory in all indoor non-residential settings, including retail, shopping centres, offices, workplaces, and organised outdoor events.
  • You must be seated to drink or eat at an indoor venue.
  • Singing by audiences and choirs at indoor venues or by congregants at indoor places of worship is not allowed.
  • Dancing will not be allowed at indoor hospitality venues or nightclubs however, dancing is allowed at weddings for the bridal party only (up to 20 people).
  • Dance and gym classes are limited to 20 per class and masks must be worn.
  • The 1 person per 4 square metre rule applies for all indoor and outdoor settings, including weddings and funerals.
  • Outdoor seated, ticketed events are limited to 50% capacity.

Face Masks
Masks are compulsory in all indoor non-residential settings. Face masks are to be worn by staff, family / guardians, visitors and participants. You may use a single-use mask continuously for up to 4 hours, as long as it does not become moist, soiled or damaged. Do not store and reuse single-use masks. There are some exceptions for not wearing face masks or shields. Staff should consult with Team Leaders / Managers if you have a medical reason for not wearing face masks. If a participant becomes unsettled with wearing a mask, staff should speak with Team Leaders to seek the appropriate course of action.

Tips on wearing masks

  • Wash or sanitise your hands before putting on or taking off your mask.
  • Ensure the mask covers your nose and mouth and fits snugly under your chin, over the bridge of your nose and against the sides of your face.
  • Refrain from touching the front of your mask while wearing or removing it.
  • Do not allow the mask to hang around your neck or under your nose.
  • Do not reuse single-use masks.
  • Wash and dry reusable masks after use and store in a clean, dry place

For further information on face masks visit https://www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/health-and-wellbeing/face-masks

Visitors to Mercy Connect
Homes/ residents
In line with the advice that has been received from the Chief Medical Officer for residential disability care providers and home care service providers on the NSW Health Disability Support Providers webpage at  https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/covid-19/Pages/disability-support.aspx. Only two visitors per resident should be allowed each day.  Wherever possible, visits should be spaced to minimise the number of visitors in the residence at the same time. All visitors must complete the COVID19 Questionnaire / Declaration prior to visiting the residence. Visitors are expected to wear facemasks and adhere to social distancing.

Corporate
Visitors to Mercy Connect facilities will be limited to essential only and must complete the COVID19 Questionnaire / Declaration prior to visiting the residence and check-in using the QR system. Face masks are mandatory at all homes. A reminder that all external visitors/contractors must be approved by the CEO Office, or my office. A COVID-19 Declaration / Questionnaire form must be completed prior to the visit and returned to  reception@mercyconnect.org.au. (Please contact reception at reception@mercyconnect.org.au for a copy of the questionnaire).

All staff, family, guardians and visitors are required to check-in using the QR Code system.

Working from Home
Corporate staff should seek advice and approval from their respective managers to work at home during this period.

Meetings
Staff are encouraged to undertake meetings via Microsoft Teams during this period. If face to face meetings are required, please adhere to the current restrictions of people in each room.

Personal Hygiene
These simple steps can help to protect yourself and the community.

  • Clean your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds, or use an alcohol-based hand sanitiser.
  • Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when coughing and sneezing or use your elbow, not your hands.
  • Avoid close contact with people unwell with cold or flu-like symptoms, and stay home if you have symptoms.
  • Avoid touching your face and avoid shaking hands with others.
  • Try to maintain a distance of 1.5 metres from others and avoid crowded places.

Remember, when washing your hands, all you need is water and soap, body wash or shampoo. It doesn’t need to be expensive, or ‘antibacterial’. The key to handwashing is to wash often and wash well, for at least 20 seconds.

Household Hygiene
As well as regular handwashing, cleaning and disinfecting surfaces in the homes can help stop the spread of COVID-19. Regularly clean these surfaces with a household detergent, followed by disinfectant. You can also use detergent and disinfectant wipes as long as you scrub the surface hard. Following is a list of frequently touched surfaces that should be cleaned:

  • doorknobs
  • handles
  • light switches
  • phones
  • tablets
  • touch screens
  • tables
  • hard-backed chairs
  • remote controls
  • keyboards
  • desks
  • toilets
  • sinks and basins
  • car steering wheel
  • car seats.

Please note that this current COVID-19 outbreak is an evolving situation, and further restrictions may be put into place without prior consultation or warning, subject to government advice or alerts. If you do have COVID-19 symptoms, get tested and stay at home.

Together we grow.

Caroline Cummins
Executive Leader Clinical Services
Acting Chief Executive Officer