December 23, 2020

NSW Health has released new visitation restrictions effective midnight tonight (23 December 2020) until midnight 30 December 2020.

We understand that some of these restrictions will result in residents and their families feeling disappointed; however, please remember that the goal of implementing these restrictions is to ensure that we limit the possibility of COVID-19 entering our facility and putting out residents and staff at risk..

The following restrictions will be in place until midnight 30 December 2020:

Residents should not leave the facility to attend family gatherings or group excursions. The only reason a resident should leave the facility is to attend an essential medical appointment.

NSW Health strongly advises that, if possible, visitors should delay visits to aged care facilities as there have been recent warnings issued for suburbs on the Central Coast. These locations have been placed on high alert and pose an increased risk to our facility.

Essential visitors are required to wear a surgical mask at all times and complete a health assessment questionnaire upon entry to the facility.

Visitors will be excluded if they: · have been to any of the locations on the self-isolate and get tested immediately list, at the times and dates listed · have been to any of the locations on the monitor for symptoms list, at the times and dates listed except where noted otherwise on the web page

· have a fever (37. 5°C or higher) or symptoms of COVID-19 (acute blocked nose congestion has been added to the list of symptoms)

· have been in close contact with a person with confirmed COVID-19 and are within their self-isolation period

· live in a household with a person who is identified as a close contact of a person with confirmed COVID-19.

There will be a maximum of 2 visitors per resident per day, and visitations must be confined to the resident’s room.

We understand that these changes to restrictions can be frustrating, especially during this time of the year. We appreciate your patience with our staff whose role it is to protect your loved ones through the enforcement of the guidelines set by NSW Health in limiting the spread of COVID-19.

This past year has been extremely challenging for all of us. We hope that by doing the right thing now, we can look forward to a brighter 2021.

Merry Christmas.

Justin Dover – CEO