All staff who work in residential aged care facilities or provide in-home care support in Melbourne and the Mitchell Shire are required to wear surgical masks when providing close personal or clinical care.
This is in addition to all other infection control and staff screening measures already put in place in the aged care sector to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.
The Minister for Health, the Hon Greg Hunt MP and the Minister for Aged Care and Senior Australians, Senator the Hon Richard Colbeck, today announced an additional 4 million masks will be made available to residential aged care and home care providers in the areas with restrictions including Greater Melbourne and Mitchell Shires.
Aged care providers in these areas of Victoria are asked to use their own supply of masks first and then email AgedCareCOVIDPPE@health.gov.au to request extra supply as and when needed. All requests for personal protective equipment (PPE), including masks will be assessed based on need and urgency.
Further information on the use of PPE including masks is available on the Department of Health’s website:
- Guidance on when masks should be worn in the community
- PPE video which provides a demonstration on how to appropriately use PPE
- Resources for the health workforce on the use of PPE.
Information for Victorian aged care providers, including guidance on PPE, is also available on the Victorian Department of Health and Human Services’ website.