16 July 2021

Coronavirus (COVID-19): Extension of Queensland Chief Health Officer Directions​

The Queensland Government has extended the current restrictions that apply to all providers in South East Queensland, including visitor restrictions for disability accommodation providers.

Key points

• Current restrictions in South East Queensland have been extended for a further seven days, from 6.00am AEST on Friday 16 July 2021.
• Visitor restrictions in disability accommodation residences continue to apply in restricted areas.
• There are mandatory vaccination requirements for students in placements at restricted disability accommodation settings.
• Disability workers are strongly encouraged to get vaccinated against COVID-19.
• NDIS providers should review their outbreak management and business continuity plans, and take steps to prevent the risk of infection of NDIS participants and workers.
• Notify the NDIS Commission of any significant changes to services or supports as a result of the new restrictions.

Queensland restrictions update

The Restrictions for Impacted Areas Direction (No.9) has been extended for a further seven days, from 6.00am AEST on Friday 16 July 2021. The restrictions apply to the following local government areas:

• City of Brisbane
• Moreton Bay Regional Council
• City of Gold Coast
• City of Ipswich
• Lockyer Valley Regional Council
• Logan City
• Noosa Shire Council
• Redland City
• Scenic Rim Regional Council
• Somerset Regional Council
• Sunshine Coast Regional Council

Restrictions for Townsville, Magnetic Island and Palm Island have been eased and are the same as for the rest of Queensland.

Face masks must be worn when outside the home, including when providing services and supports to people with disability.

Extended visitor restrictions in shared disability accommodation in Queensland

Part 3 of the Disability Accommodation Services Direction (No.20) will remain in effect for shared disability accommodation services in these areas.

Part 3 restricts visitors from entering these services, requires the wearing of face masks for those permitted access to these services (excluding residents), and requires operators of these services to take all reasonable steps to ensure the appropriate use of PPE in accordance with Queensland Health’s Guidance.

Mandatory vaccination for students working in restricted residential disability accommodation

Any student currently on a placement in a disability accommodation setting must have received two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine to continue their placement.

This restriction applies to accommodation providers in the local government areas listed in the Restricted Areas Direction (No. 17), and only applies when visitor restrictions are in effect. 

There are no exceptions for a student who has a medical contraindication and is unable to be vaccinated. Alternative arrangements will need to be made for impacted students and services.

More information can be found in Disability Accommodation Services Direction (No.20).

Vaccination advice for disability workers

The Australian Government Department of Health (Department of Health) has issued a Disability Provider Alert containing important information about the continued rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine.

National Cabinet strongly encourages all disability workers to get vaccinated against COVID-19, to protect your own health and the health of the people with disability you support.

We encourage you to read the full details on the Department of Health website.

Outbreak preparedness

For guidance on preventing and managing COVID-19 outbreaks in disability residential settings, please refer to the Communicable Diseases Network Australia’s (CDNA) disability supplement.

Additionally, the NDIS Commission’s fact sheet on outbreak preparedness provides information on preparing for, preventing and managing an outbreak in disability settings. 

You should:

• review and update your emergency plans, including arrangements to ensure that you meet your obligations to maintain continuity of support to NDIS participants
• ensure all workers have been trained and have had refreshers on infection control and use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
• minimise staff working across multiple sites
• regularly communicate changes to services and supports to NDIS participants and their support networks
• ensure all your staff are familiar with and practice sound infection control, physical distancing and hygiene practices
• provide support to people with disability to have permissible community access for essential supports (such as exercising, essential shopping, accessing the vaccine, or attending medical appointments).

Notification of changes or events

You must notify the NDIS Commission of any change or event that significantly affects your ability to comply with any of your conditions of registration, including compliance with the NDIS Practice Standards. You must use the COVID-19 notification of events form  to report these changes.

Your requirements to notify the NDIS Commission of reportable incidents under the National Disability Insurance Scheme (Incident Management and Reportable Incidents) Rules 2018 are separate from the COVID-19 notification of changes or events and remain unchanged.  

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 9.00am to 5.00pm (9.00am to 4.30pm in the NT), Monday to Friday, excluding public holidays.

Email: contactcentre@ndiscommission.gov.au

Website: www.ndiscommission.gov.au