COVID-19 Information for our Communities

July 29, 2021

Emergency Directions

The Governor of South Australia approved a further 28-day extension of the existing Declaration of a Major Emergency under the Emergency Management Act 2004 in respect to the outbreak of COVID-19 commencing on 24 July 2021.

Under this Act, the State Coordinator, Police Commissioner Grant Stevens, enacts the South Australian Directions that apply to everyone living in and entering, South Australia.

The State Coordinator issued a Direction under the Emergency Management Act 2004 to cease Level 5 – stay at home restrictions and implement Level 3 restrictions in South Australia for at least seven days, commencing on 28 July 2021.

Read the full versions of the Directions, available at: https://www.covid-19.sa.gov.au/emergency-declarations

The Emergency Management (Activities – General No 3)(COVID-19) Direction 2021 came into effect on Wednesday 21 July 2021.

The Emergency Management (Activities—Associated Direction No 5) (COVID-19) Direction 2021 is to operate as an appendix to the Emergency Management (Activities—General No 3) (COVID-19) Direction 2021 or to any direction that replaces that direction, and modifies that direction from Wednesday 28 July 2021.

You can view this direction by clicking here.

The Emergency Management (Residential Aged Care Facilities No 39) (COVID-19) Direction 2021 (Aged Care Direction) is still in operation. You can view this direction by clicking here.

COVID-19 Immunisation

More than 70% of residents at all Resthaven aged care homes have received both doses of a COVID-19 vaccine.

Visiting

Visitors to a residential aged care home for the purpose of providing care and support to a resident (eg. family and friends) recommence from 28 July.

As more than 70% of residents at all Resthaven aged care homes have received both doses of a COVID-19 vaccine, visitor numbers are not restricted.

Visiting hours at Resthaven residential aged care homes:

Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 10am to 4pm

Tuesday and Thursday: 10am to 4pm AND 6pm to 8pm

Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays: 1pm to 5pm

Resthaven’s visiting arrangements may change in response to Emergency Management Direction updates which can occur at immediate notice.

Important reminders:

No person who has attended a COVID-19 exposure location identified on the SA Health website should be permitted to enter or remain on the premises of a RACF until they have been tested for COVID-19 and received a negative test result and finished their required quarantine period.
Any person who has been directed to quarantine by SA Health must stay at home and not attend a RACF. This includes essential workers.
For an up-to-date list of exposure locations, visit: http://www.sahealth.sa.gov.au/COVIDcontacttracing

Wearing of Masks:

A person (other than a resident or a child under 12 years) must not enter or remain on the premises of a RACF, unless the person is wearing a face mask (covering mouth and nose) at all times.

The requirement for a mask does not apply:

when the person is eating or drinking;
the wearing of a mask will hinder the provision of the relevant care and/or impact resident safety or wellbeing;
by a person who has a relevant medical condition, including problems with their breathing, a serious condition of the face, a disability or a mental health condition; or
in circumstances where the ability to see the mouth is essential for communication, such as to enable communication by or with any person who is deaf or hard of hearing.

Resthaven’s focus is on protecting the health and wellbeing of our residents and clients, along with employees and volunteers, and their families. We continue to monitor and review arrangements as information becomes available.

We will continue to advise residents and clients about the latest government directives. This includes restrictions on visiting and activities at residential sites, and how home care services that we provide in people’s homes and service locations, may be impacted.

Influenza Vaccination Reminder:

Please ensure you have your flu vaccination!

All people entering a Residential Aged Care Facility must be vaccinated against seasonal influenza and have evidence with them. (Existing exemption criteria continue to apply.)

Influenza Vaccination exemption: A person who has not received the 2021 seasonal influenza vaccination because they are observing the recommended 14 day waiting period between receiving a COVID-19 vaccination and the influenza, provided they:
- Provide evidence of the date of receipt of a COVID-19 vaccination to the RACF; and
- Take all reasonable steps to ensure they are vaccinated as soon as is reasonably practicable following the preferred minimum interval of 14 days between administration of the COVID-19 vaccine and the influenza vaccine.

We again thank you for your continued support.