15 March 2021

Coronavirus (COVID-19): Queensland Chief Health Officer Directions - Disability Accommodation Services

There are new Directions in place for all disability accommodation services in Queensland.

Key points

• Non-essential visitors must not enter a disability accommodation residence in the Greater Brisbane area until further notice.
• Disability Accommodation Services Direction (No.16) came into force at midday on Saturday, 13 March 2021.
• Ensure you, your workers and the people you support understand how these changes affect you, and take all reasonable action to continue to provide NDIS supports or services that are critical to the ongoing health, wellbeing and safety of people with disability.

​​Visitor restrictions in Greater Brisbane area

Queensland Health has announced that non-essential visitors must not attend disability accommodation services in Greater Brisbane.

‘Greater Brisbane’ includes the City of Brisbane, City of Ipswich, Logan City, Moreton Bay Region and Redland City.

This change commenced from midday Saturday 13 March 2021, and will be reviewed on Tuesday, 16 March 2021.

Anyone attending these facilities in Greater Brisbane, including staff, must wear a mask. People will still be able to visit their loved ones who are at end of life.

Disability Accommodation Services Direction (No. 16)

Disability Accommodation Services Direction (No. 16) is now in place. This Direction sets out the physical distancing and risk mitigation measures that providers of shared disability accommodation residences in Queensland must have in place.

It includes guidance on cleaning and sanitising, minimising staff movements between multiple care facilities, ensuring physical distancing, and using PPE in accordance with current health advice.

The Direction also sets out which visitors must be excluded from entering the premises until further notice.

Please read this Direction in full, and ensure that you, your workers and all visitors to the residence comply.

Outbreak planning and preparedness

It is vital to plan how you would deal with a situation in which the NDIS participants you support and/or your workers were infected. You should ensure your workers have:

• completed the Worker Orientation Module, which explains the obligations of workers under the NDIS Code of Conduct
• completed Department of Health infection control training
• watched this video on the use of PPE from the Department of Health.

Our fact sheet on COVID-19 outbreak preparedness, prevention and management can assist you to meet your risk management and other obligations.

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