Aged Care Minister Anika Wells has written to State and Territory Governments urging them to maintain mask mandates and infection control measures across the aged care sector.
NSW last week joined Victoria and Queensland in lifting vaccination restrictions for visitors to aged care homes, with recommended conditions.
“The recommended limit for visitors is two adults and two children per resident within a 24-hour period. Operators of residential aged care facilities may increase the number of visitors for a resident depending on their circumstances,” said NSW Health.
Examples cited were:
- A special occasion, such as a birthday;
- Visitors have travelled a long distance;
- Visitors have not seen the resident for a long time; and
- It is for the purposes of end of life.
NSW Health added that the visits should be held outdoors or in well-ventilated areas away from other residents.
All visitors aged over 12 must wear a surgical mask over their nose and mouth whilst indoors.
Ms Wells said she was concerned lifting vaccination requirements would exacerbate the crisis in aged care.
“A key part of our winter plan is infection control, and I think we should all be listening to the medical advice. It’s certainly what I’m doing. And our Chief Medical Officer (Paul Kelly) let’s not run away from this, is really worried. He said he’s as worried about this coming away, as he was in December,” she said.
