20 July 2020

Coronavirus (COVID-19)

NSW Health guidance for all residential disability outlets

In response to the recent COVID-19 outbreak in South Western Sydney, the NSW Chief Health Officer has issued guidance for all residential disability outlets in NSW.

Key points

• All residential disability outlets that are operated by NDIS providers registered to provide assistance in group or shared living arrangements should maintain infection control practices to reduce the risk of COVID-19 in the premises.
• The NSW Chief Health Officer, Dr Kerry Chant, has issued a list of measures that all providers of residential disability supports should implement.
• Facilities located in South Western Sydney should take additional steps to limit visitors and implement the wearing of surgical masks by staff until at least the end of July.

Measures for residential disability care facilities in NSW

In response to the COVID-19 outbreaks in Victoria and South Western Sydney, the NSW Chief Health Officer, Dr Kerry Chant, has released guidance for all residential disability care facilities in NSW to prevent the introduction of COVID-19 to the premises.

As well as a list of immediate measures that providers in all residential settings should take (including excluding from the premises anyone with fever or respiratory symptoms, and visitors who have been in certain locations), the guidance also outlines additional steps for facilities located in South Western Sydney. These include staff wearing a surgical mask in the facility until at least the end of July, and limiting visitors until at least the end of July.

You should clearly communicate any change to your visitor management policy with residents and their families. Encourage alternative means of connection between residents and their friends or families, such as phone or video calls, during this time.

We strongly urge you to read Dr Chant’s guidance in full, and implement the measures outlined to support the continued health, safety and wellbeing of the NDIS participants you support.

This and other guidance issued by NSW Health for disability support providers is available on the NSW Health website.

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 

• 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