​As of 12 October 2023

Acute respiratory infection (ARI) safety measures for home care service providers

In-home care service providers should maintain vigilance to prevent the introduction of acute respiratory infections (ARI), including COVID-19, RSV and influenza, into a person's home.

Providers should undertake their own risk assessments to determine safe delivery of services. These should take into consideration the prevalence of COVID-19, RSV and influenza in the community, vaccination status of both staff and clients, and types of services being provided. 

Staff should ask clients about symptoms on arrival. If staff become aware of a client with symptoms, arrangements should be made for COVID-19 testing, or referral to a general practitioner as required. 

Throughout this document, reference is made to Acute Respiratory Infection (ARI) Guidance.

• If you offer aged care services, please refer to the ARI Guidance: Guidance for residential aged care facilities on the public health management of acute respiratory infections (including COVID-19, Influenza and Respiratory Syncytial Virus).
  
• If you offer disability care services, please refer to the ARI Guidance: Guidance for Disability Care Facilities on the Public Health Management of Acute Respiratory Infections (including COVID-19, Influenza and Respiratory Syncytial Virus).
  

Pre-assessment for testing and antiviral medicines 

Providers should encourage clients to meet with their doctor to develop a respiratory virus management plan, which will help to support vaccination, testing and treatment for COVID-19 and influenza.

• GPs are encouraged to use the Pre-assessment action plan for respiratory infections to establish a plan, ahead of time, for use of COVID-19 and Influenza antiviral medicines
• COVID-19 antiviral medicines are available on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) for people who meet eligibility criteria.
• The administration of antiviral treatment as soon as possible after symptom onset for people with COVID-19 reduces the risk of severe disease and can prevent hospitalisation and death.

Staff

Providers should ensure they have business continuity plans in place to support adequate staffing coverage. Staff, including students, contractors, volunteers, pathology collectors and therapists should not provide a home care service if they have: 

• Tested positive for COVID-19. Staff should not provide a home care service for at least 7 days after their positive test. Providers should follow the relevant ARI Guidance to determine when it is safe for employees to return to work. 
• Been in close contact with someone who has COVID-19. See section Staff exposed to COVID-19 below for further information.
• Acute respiratory or influenza-like symptoms. 
  

Eligible providers can claim:

• Aged Care Worker COVID-19 Leave Payment Grants
• Disability Worker COVID-19 Leave Grant

Staff exposed to COVID-19

If the exposure has been in the workplace, managers should refer to Appendix 2 of the relevant ARI Guidance to support decision making for when staff can safely return to work, particularly if they are critical to service delivery.

If the exposure has been outside the workplace, staff should refer to the Advice for people exposed to COVID-19 fact sheet. Providers are encouraged to determine their own advice for when it is safe for employees to return to work. Managers should refer to COVID-19 advice for staff in high-risk community and/or private settings to support their decision making. 

Testing for COVID-19

It is encouraged that providers provide free RATs to staff to promote testing as required but regular surveillance testing is not required when there are low levels of COVID-19 in the community. Please note that staff with respiratory symptoms should not attend work even with a negative RAT result.

Mask wearing

• Masks should be worn by staff when there are moderate or high levels of respiratory viruses circulating in the community as indicated by the NSW Respiratory Surveillance Report.
• Please remember that masks can be removed for staff:
• If wearing a mask creates a risk to health and safety.
  
• Where clear enunciation or visibility of the mouth is essential.
  
• If they are working alone in an indoor area.
  
• Staff removing a mask for one of the above reasons can decrease the risk of transmission by physically distancing from others, if appropriate.

Vaccination for staff and clients

• For the best protection against severe COVID-19 and influenza, it is strongly encouraged that staff and clients are up to date with all recommended vaccinations, including COVID-19 and influenza. The COVID-19 vaccine can be given on the same day as influenza vaccine. For information on recommended COVID-19 vaccine doses see the latest ATAGI advice.
• Providers should review COVID-19 staff vaccination rates and facilitate access to vaccination for those who are due.
• Aged care providers must comply with the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care's mandatory flu vaccination program, which includes:
• Offering free flu vaccinations to all aged care staff and recording vaccination information.
• Demonstrating how flu vaccinations have been promoted and how aged care staff and volunteers have been informed about the benefits of vaccination.
• Demonstrating the steps taken to encourage aged care staff and volunteers to get vaccinated.
• For further information, visit Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care advice for residential aged care workers and Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care responsibilities of residential aged care providers.
  

Day activity programs

Staff and participants should not attend if they have tested positive to COVID-19, have any acute respiratory or influenza-like symptoms, or have been in close contact with someone who has COVID-19.

In arranging activities, day program providers should:

• Encourage all staff and volunteers to be fully vaccinated.
  
• Encourage everyone to wear a mask when there are moderate or high levels of respiratory viruses circulating in the community as indicated by the NSW Respiratory Surveillance Report.
  
• Encourage regular use of alcohol-based hand sanitiser.
  
• Hold events outdoors or consider the guidance in maximising natural or mechanical ventilation.
• Have COVID-19 occupational health and safety plans in place.
  

Further information

• The Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care has issued a Guide for Home Care Providers to assist staff in reducing the risk of COVID-19.
  
• Please seek the advice of your local NSW Health Public Health Unit if you have questions 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:
• NDIA on 1800 800 110 or via NDIA.
  
• NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission on 1800 035 544 or via NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission.
  
• Ministry of Health on 9391 9858 or via email MOH-NDIS@health.nsw.gov.au.