Whilst restrictions are easing across the board, restrictions that apply to the health, disability, allied health and residential care sectors under the current Public Activity Direction will remain in place until 23 December 2020. This date will mark 28 days since the last known case of COVID-19 in the community. This means that masks will remain mandatory in these settings, except where exemptions apply.

Please find below an update on how we will support participants from 14th December 2020:

• Staff who are supporting participants in their home, including shared living, will continue to wear a mask if they are less than 1.5 metres from a participant.
• Visitors are welcome to our shared living homes and we anticipate some participants may wish to host a social event during the festive season. We request that numbers be limited to 10.  Please see Appendix 1 for the updated guidelines.
• Shared living homes will have a QR code for signing in as per the Public Activity Direction.  Your support in using the QR Codes will be greatly appreciated.
• Participants are now encouraged to return to the out of home activities they were pursing prior to the South Australian COVID 19 outbreak in early November. 
• Staff will support participants to collaborate with recording entry to stores, pharmacist, cafes etc. in keeping with SA Health requirements for contact tracing.
• We are discouraging our participants from using public transport. The Executive Director only can approve a staff member supporting a participant to use public transport.
• The work from home were possible rule has changed to: workers are encouraged to return to the workplace.  As a result, you will see more staff back in the office.

At the heart of our response continues to remain a consistent approach to:

• Good hygiene
• Cleaning routines
• Physical distancing
• Avoiding large public gatherings
• If sick, stay home 
• If you have cold or flu-like symptoms, get tested

We trust these changes will provide the flexibility to respond to participant wishes and ensure the safety of all our participants and their support team during the festive season. 

If you have any queries, please feel free to email either Shirley shirley@homeplace.com.au or Denice  dwharldall@homeplace.com.au or call the HomePlace Office on (08) 8445 9900.

We would like to take the opportunity to wish you a Merry Christmas and look forward to seeing you at the rescheduled Christmas Party. 

Shirley Paterson

Executive Director

Denice Wharldall

Executive Director

Appendix 1

Guidelines: Visiting family members in shared households

Visitors are welcome, however, to minimise the risk of infection, visiting includes strict safety precautions in line with the government advice.

This means:

• Please answer the Coronavirus questionnaire, this applies to any visit. If you answer yes to any of the questions, please do not visit.  Please see the Questionnaire attached. 
• Please use the QR code or if you are unable to use the code, fill out the required information manually.   
• All visitors will have their temperature checked (anyone with a temperature of 37.4 or above will not be permitted to visit).
• Hand hygiene upon entry and exit.
• As per Public Activity Direction, please wear a mask.  If you do not have a mask, HomePlace will provide a disposable mask. 
•  Social distancing (1.5 metres).
• Visits should take place in a room large enough to help with social distancing.
• Please organise your visit ahead of time to ensure we can support social distancing and that we do not have too many visitors at one time.
• No more than 10 individuals in the home at one time.
• Please have your flu vaccination.

Please do not visit if you:

• Have a fever or any (even mild) symptoms of acute respiratory infection (e.g. cough, sore throat, runny nose, shortness of breath).
• Are waiting for Covid 19 test results.
• Returned from outside of South Australia (overseas or interstate) in the last 14 days.
• Have been in contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19 in the last 14 days.

We trust these guidelines provide the flexibility to respond to participant wishes and ensure the safety of all our participants and their support team. These are difficult times and decisions are made on the best advice possible at the time. 

COVID-19 Visitor Questionnaire

Visitors name:
Staff members name:
Date and time:
I/we confirm I/we:

• do not have a fever or any (even mild) symptoms of acute respiratory infection (e.g. cough, sore throat, runny nose, shortness of breath).
• have not returned from a restricted area in the last 14 days.
• have not been in contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19 in the last 14 days.

Temperature check

• temperature is below 37.4