22 December 2020

Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Outbreak preparedness for Greater Sydney and updated NSW Health guidance

Key points

• NDIS providers should be reviewing their COVID-19 response plans and business continuity plans and taking steps to prevent the risk of infection of NDIS participants in light of the unfolding situation in the Greater Sydney area.  
• Providers should also minimise workers working across multiple settings.
• Workers should be encouraged to refresh their training on the use of PPE and infection control. 
• NDIS providers are required to notify the NDIS Commission of any confirmed infections, or impacts on the supports you provide.
• NSW Health has issued guidance for all residential and in-home support providers in NSW, about mask-wearing and exclusion of visitors and some staff. These restrictions are in place until at least 11.59pm on Wednesday 23 December 2020 and will be reviewed

Outbreak preparedness – Greater Sydney area

The NDIS Commission fact sheet on outbreak preparedness provides information on outbreak preparedness, prevention and management in disability settings.

While the Greater Sydney area remains on high alert, you should particularly:

• review and update your emergency plans;
• minimise unnecessary community movement, while still allowing people with disability to have safe community access for essential supports (such as exercising or attending medical appointments);
• minimise staff working across multiple sites;
• regularly communicate changes to services and supports to NDIS participants and their families;
• ensure all your staff are familiar with and practice sound infection control, physical distancing and hygiene practices; 
• ensure all workers have been trained and have had refreshers on infection control and use of PPE; and
• notify the NDIS Commission of changes that affect your ability to deliver NDIS supports and services.

If any of your workers or people you support have any symptoms of COVID-19, they should arrange for testing and isolate at home while awaiting the results.

New state-wide guidance from NSW Health: disability accommodation and in-home supports

Due to the increase in COVID-19 infection rates in Sydney’s Northern Beaches, NSW Health has issued updated advice for residential disability care facilities and advice to home care providers which apply to all of NSW.

This and other guidance issued by NSW Health for disability support providers is available on the NSW Health website.

As these changes will impact your visitor management policy, you should clearly communicate this temporary change with the NDIS participants you support and their families using their preferred form of communication. You should explore alternative ways for people with disability to connect with their friends or families, such as phone or video calls.

Notifying us about COVID-19 infections and service changes

Registered NDIS providers are required to advise the NDIS Commission of any change or event specified in section 13 or 13A of the NDIS (Provider Registration and Practice Standards) Rules 2018 that relate to the impact of COVID-19.

You must notify the NDIS Commission using the COVID-19 notification of event form if there are changes to the supports you provide to NDIS participants, such as a temporary cessation of services or change to how they are provided. You must also notify the NDIS Commission of any confirmed case of COVID-19 of an NDIS participants or a worker. 

Further information, alerts and resources

The Coronavirus (COVID-19) information webpage on the NDIS Commission website contains links to updates, training, alerts and other resources.

We also have a COVID-19 webpage containing information for people with disability, and a webpage of frequently asked questions about COVID-19 for all stakeholders.

Contact Us

Call: 1800 035 544 (free call from landlines). Our contact centre is open 9am to 4.30pm in the NT, 9.00am to 5.00pm in all other states and territories Monday to Friday, excluding public holidays.

Email: contactcentre@ndiscommission.gov.au

Website: www.ndiscommission.gov.au