Blue Haven Covid Update

Visitors

Due to current COVID-19 exposures, Blue Haven has extra precautions in place, in line with the advice from the NSW Department of Health.

Family and friends are required to book their visit with reception, ensure they are fully vaccinated against influenza and COVID-19 and take a temperature, symptom and RAT test on arrival. Visitors are strongly encouraged to get a booster vaccine if they are eligible for one.

Residents can have two visitors per day aged 12 years and over, plus two children aged under 12 years per day between 9.00am-3.00pm, seven days a week. All visitors and staff are required to wear P2 masks within the building.

Visitors can call reception at (02) 4203 4055 prior to book their visit.  

1. Residents are permitted to have two fully vaccinated visitors aged 12 years and over, plus two children aged under 12 years per day:

• Visitors aged 12 years and over must have received a second dose of a COVID vaccination at least 14 days prior to their visit, and have a negative Rapid Antigen Testing (RAT) prior to each visit.
• Visitors are strongly encouraged to get a booster vaccine if they are eligible for one.
• Up to 2 children under 12 years are permitted to visit provided they are accompanied by a fully vaccinated person.
• Wherever possible, the visit should be in an outdoor area. During an outbreak visits may be restricted to resident’s rooms.
• Visits should not be in any inside communal areas.
• All visitors aged 12 and above must wear a surgical mask over their nose and mouth while visiting indoors.
• Babies and toddlers under 3 years of age should not wear a mask as it is a choking hazard.

2. An exemption to the Public Health (COVID-19 Care Services) Order (No 3) 2021 (nsw.gov.au) has been signed to allow unvaccinated visitors to a resident who is at the end of life. The exemption is subject to the condition that:

• The visitors complete the screening questions (refer to section 3) and perform a Rapid Antigen Testing (RAT) just before the visit with a negative result.
• No more than 4 people (including children) visit at any one time.
• All visitors wear a mask while in an indoor area, unless the visitor is interacting with the resident they are visiting.
• There is minimal interaction between the visitors and the staff and other residents
• The visit is solely inside the resident’s room. No more than 4 people (including children) can visit at any one time.
• Note: Blue Haven also requires any unvaccinated visitors approved to visit residents who are palliating to wear full PPE if they have met the COVID-19 entry screening requirements.

3. Visitors MUST NOT enter a RACF at all if they:

• Have COVID-19 symptoms: COVID-19 symptoms and how it spreads | NSW Government.
• Have been exposed to COVID-19 in the past 7 days. Close contact guideline states visitors should stay away from high risk settings (Aged Care Facilities) for at least 7 days from their last contact with COVID-19.
• Have tested positive to COVID-19 in the previous 14 days.
• Are waiting for a COVID-19 test result.
• Have been overseas in the previous 14 days, unless they are:
  • Fully vaccinated.
  • It has been at least 7 days after arrival and they have received a negative rapid antigen test 6 days or later after arriving in NSW.

4. Residents

• Residents should not leave the facility if they have COVID-19 symptoms until they have had a RAT or PCR test and have received a negative result.
• Residents may leave the facility and attend family gatherings or for other reasons but must abide by the current Public Health (COVID-19 General) Order (No 2) 2021 (nsw.gov.au).
• Residents who leave the facility to attend a family gathering and return the same day are required:
  • To have a RAT, and then on days 2, 4 and 7 after they return.
  • If well, residents do not need to isolate.
  • If residents develop any signs or symptoms of COVID-19 they will immediately be isolated and have a RAT test.
• Residents who do not return the same day will be required to: o
  • Isolate in their room until they have a negative PCR, (RAT if delays in PCR processing) and then days 3, 5 and 7 after they return.
• Residents should get a booster dose as soon as they are eligible for one.
• When leaving Blue Haven, residents are provided with personal protective equipment, infection control and mask wearing advice. A supply has been prepared and held in the reception area.