15 January 2021

Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Updated Directions for disability accommodation settings in Queensland

In Greater Brisbane, only essential visitors are allowed into disability accommodation services. Across Queensland, people who have recently been in hotspots must not visit disability accommodation services.

Key points

• There are restrictions on visitors to disability accommodation settings in Greater Brisbane and across Queensland.
• People who have been in Greater Brisbane since 2 January 2021 must not enter a disability accommodation setting until 14 days have passed since being in that area, or unless an exemption applies. 
• Single use surgical face masks must be worn in restricted disability accommodation settings. 
• The Queensland Government has established a COVID-19 Supplier portal to connect suppliers and buyers of PPE and other consumables.

Visitor restrictions to disability accommodation services

The Queensland Government has lifted the 3-day lockdown in Greater Brisbane, and has issued an updated Disability Accommodation Services Direction (No. 11).

An overview of these changes, including FAQs about this Direction and visiting disability accommodation services are on the Queensland Government website.

It is essential that you read the full details of the Direction and implement the requirements to meet your obligations as a registered provider. You must ensure your organisation complies.

Restrictions affecting all of Queensland

Under the Direction, a person cannot enter a disability accommodation service if they have been in Greater Brisbane on or after 2 January 2021, unless 14 days have passed since they left Greater Brisbane.

Despite this, a person may enter wearing a single use surgical mask if they are: 

• an employee, contractor or student of the service
• providing goods or services necessary for the service’s operation
• providing health, medical, therapeutic, social work, essential disability support or pharmaceutical services to a resident
• required for emergency management, police, and people carrying out a function or power of a government agency
• a prospective resident or a support person of a prospective resident
• providing behavioural, emotional or social support (including advocacy services) to a resident that can’t be delivered by non-contact means – with permission of the service’s operator
• attending for an end of life visit and have been granted an exemption. 

Restrictions in certain Greater Brisbane Local Government Areas (LGAs)

The Direction also restricts visitors to disability accommodation services within the current restricted LGAs within the Metro North, Metro South and West Moreton Hospital and Health Service regions.

In these areas, visits are only allowed by people providing an essential purpose, or for end of life visits.

Anyone entering a facility in these areas must wear a single use surgical face mask. You may wear a face shield instead of a face mask in limited situations. They will also need to practice physical distancing and limit their contact with other people at the facility. 

As much as possible, disability accommodation service operators must make sure staff do not work across multiple facilities.

Wearing face masks and other PPE in disability accommodation settings

People who enter a disability accommodation service (in accordance with the Directions) must wear a face mask, or face shield in exceptional circumstances.

Other PPE is to be worn in accordance with Queensland Health’s Residential Aged Care facility and Disability Accommodation PPE Guidance (PDF, 910KB).

Arrangements for accessing PPE

The Queensland Government has established a COVID-19 Supplier portal for matching buyers and suppliers in response to the demand for PPE due to COVID-19.

The NDIA website provides information on the temporary measures that have been made available to support NDIS providers and participants access PPE without impacting participant budgets.

If you are unable to access PPE supplies through your usual means, providers can email the National Medical Stockpile at NDISCOVIDPPE@health.gov.au.

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 changes to the supports you provide to NDIS participants, such as a temporary cease of services or change to how they are provided. 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 9am to 4.30pm in the NT, 9.00am to 5.00pm in all other states and territories Monday to Friday, excluding public holidays.

Email: contactcentre@ndiscommission.gov.au

Website: www.ndiscommission.gov.au