30 March 2021

Coronavirus (COVID-19): Greater Brisbane lockdown and restrictions to disability accommodation in Queensland​

There are new restrictions in place for Greater Brisbane, and for disability accommodation services in Queensland.

Key points

• From 5.00pm AEST today (Monday, 29 March 2021), Greater Brisbane will enter a 3-day lockdown, with mask wearing mandatory when outside of the home.
• Visitors will also be restricted from entering all shared disability accommodation residences in Queensland from 5.00pm today.
• People who can enter disability accommodation residences (excluding residents) must wear face masks and practise physical distancing.
• Ensure you, your workers and the people with disability 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.
• Notify us of any significant changes to services or supports as a result of the new restrictions.

Greater Brisbane 3-day lockdown

Greater Brisbane region will enter a 3-day lockdown from 5.00pm AEST Monday, 29 March 2021. Masks must be worn at all times when outside the home unless an exemption applies. This includes the Local Government Areas of:

• City of Brisbane
• City of Ipswich
• Logan City
• Moreton Bay Region
• Redland City.

During this time, you should:

• ensure continuity of supports which are critical to the health, safety and wellbeing of the people you support
• check in with the people you support and make alternative arrangements if services and supports cannot be safely delivered in accordance with the restrictions
• notify us using the COVID-19 notification of event form if there are significant changes to the supports you provide to NDIS participants, such as a temporary cessation of services or change to how they are delivered.

Visitor restrictions in Queensland’s disability accommodation residences

Queensland Health has also announced that, from 5pm AEST today, Queensland will be declared a restricted area under Queensland COVID-19 Restricted Areas (No. 13).

Under part 3 of the Disability Accommodation Services Direction (No.16), in all shared disability accommodation residences in Queensland:

• Non-essential visitors must not attend disability accommodation residences, unless they are permitted to do so under Part 3 the Direction.
• Anyone attending disability accommodation residences, including staff, must wear a mask. This does not apply to residents.

Please read the 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.

Notifying us about COVID-19 infections and service changes

Registered NDIS providers must notify the NDIS Commission using the COVID-19 notification of event form if there are significant changes to the supports you provide to NDIS participants, such as a temporary cessation of services or change to how they are delivered. You must also notify us of any confirmed case of COVID-19 of an NDIS participants or a worker.

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