As of 13 April 2021
Staff are not required to wear a surgical mask during home visits in NSW. There are no cases of community transmission of COVID-19 and there are no
close or
casual contact locations in NSW or interstate. However there are
locations of concern in New Zealand.
This information can change rapidly so please check the web at least daily for updates.
Key points
- Exclude staff who:
- have a fever (37. 5°C or higher) or
symptoms of COVID-19
- have been to any
close or casual contact locations in NSW, Interstate or New Zealand
- live in a household with a person who is currently self-isolating
- are a close contact of a person with confirmed COVID-19 and are within their self-isolation period
- are waiting for a COVID-19 test result
- Regularly visit the
NSW COVID-19 website for updates on areas of active community transmission
- All home care service providers must maintain vigilance to prevent the introduction of COVID-19.
COVID-19 safety measures for home care service providers
-
Minimise staff working across multiple settings (such as in home and residential care). Where ceasing staff movement across settings is not practical, additional measures should be put in place, such as maintaining records of staff and work locations and increasing use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
- Staff are not required to wear a surgical mask during home visits.
- Ensure staff actively ask clients about symptoms on arrival. If staff become aware of a client with symptoms, that client should be isolated from others and arrangements made for COVID-19 testing.
Additional advice for all home care service providers
- The Commonwealth Department of Health has issued a
Guide for Home Care Providers to assist staff in reducing the risk of COVID-19.
- More detailed advice for services who provide care in the home is at:
Guidance for risk screening and assessment for home visiting health services.
- Please seek the advice of your local NSW Health Public Health Unit if you are in doubt about how to appropriately mitigate risk when providing home care services on 1300 066 055.
- For more information about NDIS-related issues, including any funding issues relating to compliance with these measures for NDIS participants, contact: