While COVID-19 restrictions and positive case isolation requirements have eased in the general community, strict standards still need to be followed in aged care and disability services, including those provided in your home.

This means the eased restrictions do not apply to us and our workers who test positive, who will continue to be required to isolate for seven days. We must remain cautious to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and other respiratory illnesses.

Wearing a mask significantly reduces the risk of the transmission of COVID-19 and other illnesses.

Continuing to wear a mask in specific settings can help protect you and those around you. All Neighbourcare workers wear personal protection equipment (PPE), including P2/N95 masks, during client home services. This protects you as well as our staff.

As the safety of our clients and staff is a priority, we kindly request that you (and those living with you or visiting) wear a mask while a service is taking place at your home – and you’re in the same room as our worker. Doing this protects our staff as well as yourself.

We are happy to provide you (and those at your residence) with a mask for your service duration if you do not have one. Please let your worker know if this is needed.

Keeping our staff COVID-free is critical to ensuring our clients receive their services.

Just one COVID-positive staff member in isolation can affect up to 38 hours of home care services for up to 25 – 35 clients. The simple act of wearing a mask can help to stop the spread of infections and keep our staff at work and able to provide services for you.

One recent example where mask-wearing prevented the spread of COVID-19 between a client and a support worker was when a worker transported a client to an appointment. The client tested positive for COVID a few days later, meaning our staff member was with them during their infectious period. The wearing of masks by both the client and our worker resulted in our worker remaining COVID free and able to continue to work.

A home care worker or client may remove their mask when communicating with a person who is deaf or hard of hearing, if wearing a mask creates a risk to health and safety or where clear pronunciation or visibility of the mouth is essential.

However, anyone removing a mask for one of these reasons should maintain a 1.5m distance from others where possible, and the mask removal should be noted with your case manager.

Out in the community, there are still mandatory face mask rules in some settings. If a home care worker is taking a client out of their home setting, it is essential to follow the rules and understand how to use a face mask.

Again, thank you for showing patience and understanding as we continue to work through this evolving COVID-19 climate.

We’re working hard to get back to our full roster soon.

Please get in touch with us if you would like to discuss this or for further information.