Updated South Australian Direction for Residential Aged Care Facilities

In response to a number of new cases of COVID-19 in South Australia, the South Australian government has issued updated Directions for Residential Aged Care Facilities (RACFs).

The updated Directions outline the following requirements:

• Appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) must be worn if a worker is providing care to a resident and cannot maintain a physical distance of 1.5 metres from the resident. The South Australian COVID-19 Strategy for Residential Aged Care Facilities outlines how and when PPE should be worn.
• Care workers must not provide personal care to a resident at a second RACF within 14 days of providing care to a resident at another RACF. Care workers, including contractors and volunteers, must notify the RACF of any additional places of employment.
• A worker must not enter or remain on the premises of a RACF unless they have completed COVID-19 infection control training.
• Residents will be restricted to two visitors per day.

All aged care workers are reminded to complete COVID-19 infection control training. Additional training modules, specifically designed for aged care workers are also available on the Department of Health’s website.

Full details are included in the full Residential Aged Care Facilities No 13 Direction. Please continue to stay up to date with advice and Directions on the SA Health website.