14 August 2020

Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Updated Victoria DHHS guidance about eye protection and P2/N95 respirators 

Victoria Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has issued updated guidance about using eye protection and P2/N95 respirator/masks when supporting people with disability. 

Key points

• In addition to wearing single use surgical masks, disability support workers are now required to wear eye protection when directly working with clients.
• Workers must also wear a P2/N95 respirator/mask when providing care in an uncontrolled environment where there are high numbers of suspected or confirmed COVID-19 cases and there may be exposure to aerosol generating behaviours.

Updated guidance for Victorian disability workers on using PPE 

Disability workers in Victoria must wear a single use surgical mask when supporting people with disability.

In addition, DHHS issued updated guidance on 8 August 2020 advising that disability workers are required to wear:

• eye protection when working directly with clients
• a P2/N95 respirator/mask when providing care in an uncontrolled environment where there are high numbers of suspected or confirmed COVID-19 cases and there may be exposure to aerosol generating behaviours.

Please read the information available on the DHHS website, including:

• PPE for community services providers for prevention of COVID-19 (8 August 2020)
• FAQs: Face covering advice for community services workers (8 August 2020)
• Community services safe working requirements in stage 4 (8 August 2020)

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 

• 14 August 2020: Updated NSW Health guidance for residential disability services and in-home support providers
• 6 August 2020: Workplace Directions from Victoria’s Public Health Commander
• 3 August 2020: Webinar on 4 August: What stage 4 restrictions mean for Victorian disability services
• 30 July 2020: Preparing for and managing a COVID-19 outbreak in Victoria and New South Wales 
• 20 July 2020: NSW Health guidance for all residential disability outlets
• 17 July 2020: New guidance on PPE use by disability workers in Victorian COVID-19 hotspots
• 13 July 2020: Reminder of COVID-19 reporting obligations
• 7 July 2020: Guidance on using personal protective equipment (PPE) for disability support workers
• 27 May 2020: Guidance from the Australian Government Department of Health
• 13 May 2020: Guidance on preventing, preparing for and dealing with a COVID-19 outbreak
• 7 May 2020: Advice for people with disability
• 30 April 2020: Changes to student visa work conditions for workers of registered NDIS providers
• 28 April 2020: FAQs for all stakeholders and information for NDIS participants
• 20 April 2020: Management and Operational Plan for People with Disability
• 9 April 2020: Further assistance for organisations, people and households
• 9 April 2020: April 2020 Provider Newsletter (COVID-19)
• 3 April 2020: Adjusting supports and reducing infection risk
• 2 April 2020:  Practice Alert: Influenza (flu) vaccine from mid-April 2020
• 31 March 2020: Supporting providers to respond
• 26 March 2020: Assistance for organisations
• 24 March 2020: Information for support workers and access to PPE
• 19 March 2020: Business continuity planning
• 17 March 2020: Online training module for support workers
• 9 March 2020: Provider obligations and COVID-19 health information
• 7 February 2020: Information about the novel coronavirus outbreak