As of 14 February 2023
There is still COVID-19 in the community. Facilities are encouraged to:
This advice includes information on the management of:
Providers of residential care are expected to balance their responsibilities to reduce the risk of COVID-19 entering RACFs while meeting the physical, social, and emotional needs of residents.
For the latest guidance on managing acute respiratory infections in RACFs see the Guidance for Aged Care Facilities on the Public Health Management of Acute Respiratory Infections (RACF ARI Guidance)
It is recommended that residents stay in their rooms if they develop any cold or flu symptoms (runny nose, sore throat, cough, fever) and be tested for COVID-19.
For the best protection against severe illness it is important to be up to date for all vaccinations including COVID-19 and influenza. Residents should be strongly encouraged to receive both booster doses for COVID-19 if they are eligible. This helps provide added protection during times of increased COVID-19 in the community.
Receiving visitors is essential for residents’ wellbeing and helps to reduce the impacts of social isolation on mental health. RACFs should ensure aged care residents are provided the opportunity to safely receive visitors. Facilities may determine their own advice to allow visitations to safely occur. Visits are permitted to occur even if there are cases in the facility.
Visits should be conducted in a manner that minimises the risk of introducing and spreading COVID-19 infection into the RACF, including:
Additional guidance on visiting a RACF is available in the Industry Code for Visiting Residential Aged Care Homes during COVID-19.
RACFs should ask visitors entering the facility if they have:
It is strongly recommended that visitors not enter a RACF if they have:
If a visitor meets any of the above criteria and a visit must occur, it is strongly recommended that a negative rapid antigen test is undertaken before entry, and the visitor wears a mask whilst in the facility.
Emergency service providers are not considered visitors.
For the best protection against severe illness it is important to be up to date for all vaccinations including COVID-19 and influenza.
For facilities with a number of staff members, they are encouraged to enjoy their meal breaks in areas with good natural ventilation or outdoors.
Staff, including students, contractors, volunteers, pathology collectors and therapists should not enter an RACF if they have:
If the exposure has been in the workplace, managers should refer to Appendix 2 of the RACF 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 of the workplace, staff should refer to the Advice for people exposed to COVID-19 fact sheet. Facilities are encouraged to determine their own advice for when it is safe for employees to return to work. This may include asking the staff member to take additional precautions to decrease the risk of transmission and test regularly after exposure to someone with COVID-19. Managers should refer to COVID-19 advice for staff in high-risk community and/or private settings to support their decision making.
It is recommended that RACF staff undergo a COVID-19 RAT at least every 3 days.
All staff should wear a surgical mask covering their nose and mouth while indoors in the facility. A staff member may remove their mask:
Anyone removing a mask for one of the above reasons should remain 1.5 metres from others, particularly in indoor communal areas.
When the facility in an outbreak, refer to the RACF ARI Guidance for additional PPE advice.
Staff are strongly encouraged to stay up to date with all vaccinations including COVID-19 and influenza to aid protection against severe illness for themselves and the people they care for.
For further information, visit the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care advice for Residential aged care workers .
Ventilation is an important factor in minimising spread of COVID-19 and other respiratory viral infections. The key principle is to bring in fresh air to dilute the indoor air; simply re-circulating indoor air (for example, fans) is not effective. Natural ventilation should be used wherever possible. RACFs should consider seeking professional advice from an occupational hygienist or ventilation engineer. Carbon dioxide (CO2) monitors and HEPA filters can have a role but require users to have a good understanding of how to use them.