Published 5th August 2021
The Australian Government is closely monitoring the situation across the country, particularly in New South Wales and Victoria.
In recognition of the extended COVID-19 hotspot declaration from the Australian Government Acting Chief Medical Officer, Professor Michael Kidd, single site workforce arrangements and Australian Government support funding is being extended to 11 September for all local government areas across Greater Sydney, including the Blue Mountains, Central Coast, Wollongong and Shellharbour.
Given the ongoing risk, including cases of community transmission, single site workforce arrangements and support funding have also been extended to 13 August for Greater Melbourne, Moorabool Shire, City of Greater Geelong, Borough of Queenscliff, Surf Coast Shire. While this has been extended, providers in these areas should consider arrangements to transition from single site working as appropriate for your workplace. Funding remains available to support residential aged care providers with any out of pocket costs they may be incurring up to 13 August.
During the extended period, providers are reminded to ensure staff are only working at one residential aged care facility within this region. Workers should not be financially disadvantaged and should retain the security of any secondary employment. Where this results in additional workforce expenses, providers are able to seek reimbursement from the Australian Government through the Support for Aged Care Workers in COVID-19 (SACWIC) Grant. The SACWIC grant opportunity remains open until 31 December 2021.
In addition to funding support, a reminder that providers can also access guidance on practical implementation of single site arrangements, including employee relations expertise, through the Guiding Principles Support Hub website or hotline on 1800 491 793.
On 27 July 2021, the Victorian Government announced a lifting of lockdown restrictions for the state. With this reassuring situation, the Acting Chief Medical Officer Professor Michael Kidd lifted the declaration of Greater Melbourne, Moorabool Shire, City of Greater Geelong, Surf Coast Shire, Borough of Queenscliff, Bass Coast Shire (including Phillip Island), and the Rural City of Mildura as a hotspot from 11:59pm on 27 July 2021.
Single site workforce arrangements for this area will cease on 31 July. Public health measures will remain as per the Victorian Health advice, such as the wearing of masks, to help prevent ongoing community transmission.
On 26 July 2021, the South Australian Government announced easing of restrictions for South Australia. The majority of recent cases have been in known contacts who are already in quarantine or isolating. With this reassuring situation, the Acting Chief Medical Officer Professor Michael Kidd lifted the declaration of Metropolitan Adelaide as a hotspot from 11:59pm on 27 July 2021.
Single site workforce arrangements for this area will cease on 3 August. Public health measures will remain as per the South Australian Health advice, such as the wearing of masks, to help prevent ongoing community transmission.
On 27 July 2021, the NSW Government announced easing of movement restrictions for the Local Government Areas of Orange, Blayney and Cabonne from 12:01am on 28 July 2021. Given no further cases have been detected in the region, the Acting Chief Medical Officer Professor Michael Kidd lifted the declaration from 11:59pm on 28 July 2021.
Single site workforce arrangements for this area will cease on 4 August. Public health measures for these areas will return to the same level as the rest of regional NSW, and can be found on the NSW website.
Source:Unknown Author, 2021, Department of Health (https://www.health.gov.au/)
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