The Victorian Government has confirmed that masks are mandatory for all residential aged care facility staff and aged care workers providing services through home care or the Commonwealth Home Support Program, effective immediately.
All clinical and non-clinical staff and workers in residential aged care must wear a surgical mask at all times, no matter where they work in the facility. In line with the Stay Safe Directions (Victoria) No.13masks must be worn in an indoor space, other than in the premises where the person normally resides.
Workers delivering services for Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) and Home Care Package (HCP) providers must also wear a mask when providing care in an indoor space.
The above advice is also applicable for the provision of both Residential and Home Based Services delivered by providers of the National Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Flexible Aged Care Program.
Eye protection such as face shields, goggles or safety glasses is no longer required unless caring for a resident who has or is suspected to have coronavirus (COVID-19), or is a close contact of someone who has coronavirus (COVID-19).
This advice replaces the advice in the Coronavirus (COVID-19) PPE guidance for RACF Fact sheet published on 28 August 2020.
Please note the Coronavirus (COVID-19) PPE guidance for RACF Fact sheet is currently being updated.
For further information or enquiries, please contact the Victorian Aged Care Response Centre (VACRC) 1800 413 957, or visit the Victorian Government website.