8 January 2021

Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Outbreak preparedness for Greater Brisbane and updated Directions

The Queensland Government has issued updated directions that affect providers in the Greater Brisbane area and those delivering supports in disability accommodation settings.

Key points

• Greater Brisbane is entering a 3-day lockdown from 6.00pm tonight. Masks must be worn in the Greater Brisbane area when outside the house.
• All Queensland disability accommodation settings must exclude visitors and workers who have recently been to COVID-19 hotspots, including the Greater Brisbane area, who are awaiting a negative COVID-19 test result, or who have a temperature equal to or higher than 37.5 degrees. 
• Have adequate supplies of face masks and other PPE on hand. 
• Notify the NDIS Commission of any changes to the supports you provide to NDIS participants.

Advice for the Greater Brisbane area

From 6pm on 8 January 2021, Greater Brisbane will commence a 3 day lockdown, which includes the areas of Brisbane City Council, Moreton Bay Regional Council, Ipswich City Council, Logan City Council and Redland City Council.

Masks must be worn everywhere in those local government areas, except if people are at home, or if other exemptions apply. Workers providing in-home supports must wear a mask, but not residents.

During this time, visitors are excluded from disability accommodation settings in the Greater Brisbane area.

Please monitor this situation closely as it could change rapidly and stay updated with current restrictions in Queensland that relate to disability accommodation services.

If any of your workers or people you support have any symptoms of COVID-19, they should arrange for testing and isolate at home while awaiting the results.

Visitor restrictions to disability accommodation services

All Queensland disability accommodation settings must exclude visitors and workers who have recently been to COVID-19 hotspots, including the Greater Brisbane area, who are awaiting a negative COVID-19 test result, or who have a temperature equal to or higher than 37.5 degrees.

As these changes impact your visitor management policy, please clearly communicate this temporary change to the NDIS participants you support and their families using their preferred form of communication. You should explore alternative ways for people with disability to connect with their friends or families, such as phone or video calls.

Disability Accommodation Services Direction (No.9) contains an updated list of conditions under which people (including workers and visitors) must not be allowed to enter or stay on the premises. This includes anyone who was in Victoria on or after 21 December 2020 (unless 14 days have passed since they were in Victoria), or anyone who has been in a restricted area in Queensland.  You may need to adjust your sign-in and entry controls to comply.

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.

We have provided a link to resources for outbreak response in disability accommodation settings in a previous provider alert.

Maintain adequate supplies of face masks and other PPE

The current Public Health Direction states that all visitors and workers who enter a restricted shared disability accommodation service must wear a mask whilst on the premises. This does not apply to people with disability who reside at the site.

We strongly recommend being prepared with an adequate supply of face masks and other PPE in the event that the location where you provide services becomes a restricted area.

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 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