Monday 12 July 2021
Good afternoon all,
Please find the following information providing staff with an update on the COVID-19 pandemic.
The following advice from the Chief Medical Officer for residential disability care providers and home care service providers was further updated on 10 July 2021, on the NSW Health Disability Support Providers webpage at https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/covid-19/Pages/disability-support.aspx
For all Mercy Connect facilities located in NSW (outside of Greater Sydney) no visitors or non-essential staff are permitted from Greater Sydney (including the Blue Mountains, Central Coast, Wollongong and Shellharbour).
NSW Red Zone Alert
All of New South Wales and the ACT is a red zone under Victoria’s travel permit system, effective 11:59pm Sunday 11 July. The ‘border bubble’ is again, now in place.
To cross the border without a permit, cross-border community members just need to carry proof of address (such as a driver’s license).
There are some conditions:
- If you are a cross-border community member and you have been in an orange zone outside of the cross-border area after the relevant zone commencement time in the previous14 days, you can enter Victoria without a permit only if you’ve had a negative COVID-19 test result since you left the orange zone.
- Otherwise, you will have to enter Victoria with an orange zone permit, isolate and get tested within 72 hours, and stay isolated until you receive a negative result.
- If you are a cross-border community member who has been in a red zone outside of the cross-border area, you have to obtain a red zone permit if you wish to enter Victoria. Red zone permits are only available to Victorian residents unless an exception or exemption applies.
Visit https://www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/victorian-travel-permit-system#green-zone for updated information on the Victorian travel permit system.
Mercy Connect staff travel arrangements between Orange and Albury will be on hold until further notice.
QR Code Check-in:
It will be mandatory for residential disability care facilities to use the Service NSW QR Code check-in from Monday 12 July 2021 (see Public Health (COVID-19 Temporary Movement and Gathering Restrictions) Amendment (No 2) Order 2021 Public Health Order). The Additional information for residential disability care facilities page has been updated with details including how to obtain a QR code.
Mercy Connect will be implementing the Service NSW QR Code check-in system (to replace the current QR Code) and will be updating signage at all facilities and accommodation.
Visitors to Mercy Connect
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 Declarations are to be provided to reception@mercyconnect.org.au . Visitors are expected to wear facemasks and adhere to social distancing.
Face Masks
A reminder to all staff that it is mandatory to wear face masks when entering non-residential indoor areas (including office areas) and at all times when with participants.
Meetings
Staff are encouraged to conduct team meetings, where possible via Microsoft Teams. If face to face meetings is required, please adhere to the current room restrictions.
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.
Trent Dean
Chief Executive Officer