25 June 2021

Dear Resident or Family Member,

RE: Updated Visitor Restrictions - all Calvary Retirement Communities in the Hunter New England  Region 

Today, the NSW Government announced an increase in restrictions for residential aged care facilities given the higher risk of COVID-19 transmission in the community.

What does this mean for residents and families?
Consistent with the latest NSW Health advice, effective immediately, Calvary is implementing the following restrictions:

• People who live in or have worked in the four (4) Sydney Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Randwick LGA, Woollahra LGA, City of Sydney LGA and Waverley LGA in the last 14 days must not visit a Calvary home.
• Visitors must not enter if they have been to any NSW close or casual contact locations or interstate places of high concern - https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/covid-19/Pages/case-locations-and-alerts.aspx
• Residents should not attend gatherings or functions in the four (4) LGAs

Consistent with previous advice:

• Visitors must not enter a Calvary home if they:
  • have been to any close or casual contact exposure locations in the last 14 days
  • are waiting for a COVID-19 test result.
  • live in a household with a person who is currently self-isolating; or\
  • are a close contact of a person with confirmed COVID-19 and are within their self-isolation period;
  • have COVID-19 symptoms including fever of 37.5°C or higher;
• There is no limit on the total number of visitors permitted to visit a resident each day. The number of visitors allowed at any one time remains subject to social distancing requirements of a single person per 4 square metres.
• Screening questions and temperature checks for all visitors and staff will continue. If a visitor is found to have an elevated temperature of 37.5°C or greater, entry will not be permitted.
• Hand hygiene is important. Remember to please use the hand sanitiser stations at the entrance and throughout the facility regularly.
• Season influenza vaccination is required for all persons over six (6) months prior to entry. Evidence will be required. If an exemption for this is required please speak with the manager.

Please don’t hesitate to contact the manager of your home should you have any questions or would like to discuss the individual care needs of your loved one.

If you are unable to visit at this time, we remind and encourage you to contact the facility to arrange a WebEx video call with your loved one.

Thank you for your continued understanding and cooperation. 

Sincerely,    

Martin Bowles, National CEO

Bryan McLoughlin, Regional CEO - NSW