Good afternoon,
Victorian and NSW COVID-19 Update
As of 29 January 2021, Acting Minister for Health, Lisa Neville, MP extended the current Victoria Declaration of State of Emergency though to 11.59pm 26 February 2021. https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/202101/State%20of%20Emergency%20Declaration%20%28signed%29%20-%2029%20January%202021.pdf.
The advice by NSW Health Public Health Response Branch for residential disability care providers and home care service providers was updated yesterday (4 February 2021) on the NSW Health Disability Support Providers webpage at https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/covid-19/Pages/disability-support.aspx. The key change is that the Interstate Areas of Concern now includes anyone who has been to Victorian venues of concern since 29 January 2021.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
All Mercy Connect staff must continue to wear masks, practice social distancing and follow strict hand hygiene protocols. PPE such as gloves, gown and protective eye wear should also be used when providing hands-on contact care if there is a risk of splash or exposure to blood or body fluids.
Cleaning
All staff must continue to maintain regular house cleaning protocols and to ensure high touched surfaces are cleaned more frequently than minimally touched surfaces (see below for high touch surfaces). Minimally touched surface, for example glass windows, ceilings, curtains or floors. For cleaning and disinfectant products to work effectively you must follow the manufactures instructions on how to use the products.
Contract Tracing
All Mercy Connect staff are to ensure visitors who attend any accommodation (group) homes must scan into the QR code reader for every visit for contact tracing should it arise. If visitors / staff have any technical difficulties, there is also a manual sign in sheet at each accommodation facilities. Staff who attend the corporate offices must scan into the QR code reader for entering and leaving the building.
COVID-19 Vaccine Roll-out Update
NDIS participants and workers at group disability accommodation settings will be among the first groups of people in Australia to be offered the COVID-19 vaccines.
A Disability Sector COVID-19 Vaccines Implementation Plan has been developed by the Australian Government and will be available soon.
Mercy Connect has provided key information to the NDIS Commission in relation to participant and staff numbers to assist with planning and logistics for rolling out the vaccines in the coming months.
We will continue to provide updates regarding the COVID-19 vaccines roll out plan as more information becomes available.
Together we grow.
Trent Dean
Chief Executive Officer