29 September 2020

Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Revised risk categories for PPE guidance for Queensland

The Queensland Government has further revised its risk categories for guidance on using personal protective equipment (PPE) in residential aged care and disability accommodation. 

Key points 

• The Queensland Government has provided updated guidance to disability accommodation service providers on the use of PPE during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Eight local government areas (LGAs) previously assessed as “moderate risk” are now in the “low risk” category for PPE use in disability accommodation services and residential aged care facilities. PPE usage can now be reduced in these areas.
• It is a condition of registration with the NDIS Commission that you comply with the laws of the state in which you operate, including Public Health Directions.

Queensland Government: Guidance on the use of PPE – revised risk categories

On 25 September 2020, Dr Jillann Farmer, Deputy Director-General, Clinical Excellence Queensland, and Professor Keith McNeil, Acting Deputy Director-General and Chief Medical Officer, Queensland Health, wrote to disability accommodation service providers and residential aged care providers regarding a lowering of the risk category which applies for the purposes of Queensland Health’s PPE guidance.

The guidance document Pandemic response guidance on personal protective equipment (PPE) in residential aged care (RAC) and disability care accommodation services [PDF 541KB] defines three levels of pandemic transmission risk, with associated PPE requirements for residential aged care and disability care accommodation services.

The following LGAs have now been determined by the Chief Health Officer to be in the “low risk” category, and PPE use can therefore be reduced:

• City of Brisbane
• City of Ipswich
• Lockyer Valley Region
• Logan City
• Moreton Bay Region
• Redland City
• Scenic Rim Region
• Somerset Region.

With this downgrade, the entire state of Queensland is now on “low risk” for PPE decision-making. PPE use should not change until further notice. This is important for preserving stock of critical supplies.

Temporary supports which allowed NDIS providers in restricted areas of Queensland to claim the costs of PPE ceased on 25 September 2020. A list of restrictions by local government area and the applicable dates for temporary PPE support measures appear in the NDIS Price Guide Addendum.

We strongly encourage you to read and follow the recommendations outlined in the RAC and Disability Accommodation Guideline. We also remind you that it is a condition of your registration with the NDIS Commission that you comply with the laws of the state in which you operate, which includes Public Health Directions.

For more information, visit the Queensland Health website.

NDIS Commission resource on outbreak prevention

Our fact sheet on COVID-19 outbreak preparedness, prevention and management contains practical guidance to support you to:

• ensure your workers take reasonable precautions to protect people with disability and themselves
• prepare for an outbreak of COVID-19
• respond to suspected or confirmed cases in different types of service settings
• manage an outbreak of COVID-19.

The fact sheet is for all registered providers of NDIS supports and services, including those providing in home supports, as well as disability accommodation settings.

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 4.30pm in the NT, 9.00am to 5.00pm in the ACT, NSW, QLD, SA, TAS and VIC Monday to Friday, excluding public holidays.
• Email: contactcentre@ndiscommission.gov.au
• Website: www.ndiscommission.gov.au

Links to previous COVID-19 provider alerts 

Visit the NDIS Commission website to see our previous COVID-19 provider alerts.