On the 15 March the Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced that all international travellers will be required to self-isolate upon arrival in Australia from Sunday 15 March 2020 for 14 days in a bid to contain the spread of coronavirus. Australian citizens will also be required to self-isolate upon returning to the country.

It is important for the health and wellbeing of the residents that any person including visitors (e.g. volunteers, family members, medical practitioners) or employees of Doutta Galla adhere to the advice before coming to any Doutta Galla Residential Home.

As well the Chief Medical Officer has specifically requested that all visitors to aged care homes consider limiting visiting their loved ones to minimise the risk of COVID-19 to residents. 

Doutta Galla continues to monitor the health and wellbeing of all our residents and employees.  We have already put initiatives in place to ensure the health and safety of residents, visitors and our employees.  Included in this, all Doutta Galla employees have undertaken specific infection control training to maintain already high standards of preventative infection control, and to ensure the right equipment and resources are available in all our residential homes. To date no one has been diagnosed with COVID -19 and we are making all attempts to ensure that this remains the situation and require everyone’s ongoing support in this.  

Remember the best preventative action you can take is 

• Standard hygiene practices (hand washing, coughing and sneezing etiquette, social distancing – staying at least 1.5 metres from people, do not hug, shake hands, kiss or touch for now) in the prevention of transmission. https://europeantissue.com/hygiene/official-recommendations/how-to-wash-your-hands-who-recommendations/
• Restrict your visit to your loved one only, preferably in their room, and do not visit others who live in the residential home
• Refrain from physical contact with your loved one or any other residents
• Use the hand sanitisers available at reception 
• Register your visit in the visitor sign in book, report to reception or when reception is not attended, please advise a staff member that you are visiting
• Don’t visit your loved one if you are feeling unwell or you are experiencing:
  • Fever
  • Cough
  • Fatigue
  • Muscle aches
  • Shortness of breath
  • Gastro, vomiting or any other infectious symptoms

The World Health Organisation has released a short video to inform how this can be achieved.

Most importantly – Don’t visit your loved one if you are self-isolating because of overseas travel, or you have been in contact with someone who has tested positive to COVID -19, or you have tested positive to COVID-19.

Doutta Galla is attempting to provide up to date advice, however as the information is changing quickly, these updates may be out of date before you receive them. To ensure that you have the most current and up to date advice I have provided the following link that will take you to the Department of Health website where information is updated daily.

COVID-19

Doutta Galla will continue to provide regular updates if there are any changes at any of our homes.