Important correspondence regarding COVID compliance requirements for ALL Care Workers
Protocols for Isolation and Release of Care Workers affected by COVID
CCL endeavours to balance changing public health advice including State and Federal direction and guidance in relation to isolation and release protocols of care workers (CW), with the need to ensure adequate risk mitigation for all our clients. The instruction below reflects Care Connect’s commitment to reducing the risk of COVID transmission whilst balancing the importance of service continuity. This advice falls in line with Commonwealth Permissions and Restrictions for Workers in Aged Care – Interim Guidance (5th January 2022), the National Protocols and LASA’s interpretation thereof for Home Care.
Please ensure this is read carefully and you comply to level 3 PPE requirements where required. A summary of the state PPE requirements was published on 16/12/21.
Care Worker Isolation and Release Requirements
Care Connect’s decision regarding vaccination and medically exempt Care Workers
The health orders regarding COVID-19 vaccination requirements in Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland, all allow the employment of medically exempt care workers who are not vaccinated against COVID-19. Each state has strict guidelines and protocols about how this would need to be managed. However, Care Connect has made a firm decision that despite these protocols, all medically exempt care workers will not be used for any future shift. We believe the burden of these protocols is not practical to ensure compliance to the health orders, and many clients have indicated that a medically exempt worker is not acceptable to them.
Booster shots for COVID
Whilst yet to be mandated by health authorities, Care Connect’s belief is that booster shots will become a requirement of delivering aged care. Care Connect encourages our service providers to be vaccinated with the third dose if no medical restrictions.
Kind regards,
Eileen Keane
General Manager, Service Delivery Partnerships