GWYDIR SHIRE COUNCIL – COVID-19 CLOSURES – 23/03/2020

Please note: These details were true and correct as of 9.30am Tuesday 24th March 2020. More changes may come into affect in the coming hours or days and will be updated accordingly.

Naroo Frail Aged Care Facility – Gwydir Shire Council COVID-19 Precautions UPDATED 18/03/2020

Gwydir Shire Council and Staff at the Naroo Frail Aged Care facility are taking precautions to contain the spread of COVID-19.

Many of our Aged care residents within our facility are especially susceptible to this disease due to other chronic illnesses and we are taking this seriously in protecting our vulnerable residents within the facility.

Scott Morrison today announced more measures aimed at curtailing the spread of the coronavirus, including new aged care guidelines.

In regards to aged care, PM Scott Morrison has said that visitors who are sick or anyone returning from overseas will be barred from going to aged care facilities. Only short visits to residents at facilities will be allowed, with a maximum of two people once a day.

Any visits must take place in a resident’s room or designated space barring any communal areas and Morrison urged everyone to practice social distancing of 1.5 metres.

He has also reiterated that any staff who have been overseas may not enter a facility or anyone who has been in contact with a confirmed COVID-19 case.

In response to this Naroo Frail Aged Care facility are asking family and friends to not visit Naroo residents unless it is absolutely necessary. Restrictions to visiting times have also been imposed as outlined below:

If you need to visit the interim visiting hours are

• 11am – 12pm days MAXIMUM OF 2 VISITORS AT A TIME
• 6pm – 7pm evenings MAXIMUM OF 2 VISITORS AT A TIME
• NO Visitor under the Age of 16 years old may enter the facility.

Visitors must remain in the Residents room or outside at no time will they be allowed in communal areas such as dining rooms and lounge rooms. Outside areas can be utilised for visitation.

Our reception staff and/or care staff will ask specific screening questions of you prior to you your entry.  The front door will be locked and you are required to use the call bell system so staff can screen you prior to entry. If you respond yes to any of the screening questions you will not be allowed into the facility.

Please do not visit Naroo Aged Care residents under any circumstances:

1. If you have returned from an overseas trip or a domestic flight anywhere in Australia within last 14 days.
2. If you are experiencing cold or flu like symptoms or you have been in contact with anyone that has had cold or flu like symptoms until we know that the COVID-19 Pandemic is under control.

We are asking all community members to work with us in protecting our elderly residents and thank you for your cooperation and understanding.

For further details or any concerns please do not hesitate to contact:

Sharon Baker – Aged Care Manager Gwydir Shire
Ph: 02 6729 1314
Mobile: 0437 134 501

!!!! ALERT – CORONAVIRUS – (COVID-19) !!!!!

As you may be aware the Coronavirus, also known as COVID-19, is now a pandemic.

There are currently no diagnosed cases of coronavirus within our Shire, however we need to be vigilant, proactive and be prepared as possible to deal with the virus and its impact on our community.

Council supports the NSW and Federal Governments’ initiative of ‘social distancing’ as it is a way to help slow the spread of the virus.  That means Council has made the hard decision to cancel upcoming community events such as the Warialda Honey Festival, The Sapphires live performances at The Roxy and Council’s upcoming Community Meetings.  Other groups and organisations are also taking such steps with the cancellation of events such as nation-wide ANZAC Day ceremonies.

Council has a Crisis Management Team who are currently implementing strategies to ensure the continued delivery of Council’s essential services and they will be providing necessary information to the community as required.

In order to ensure the safety of our staff and customers Council are implementing additional safety measures.  Where possible visitors to services will be asked to maintain the recommended 1.5-personal distance measure, and at times may be asked to wash hands or use hand sanitizer.

In future if your visit is of a non-urgent nature, or are experiencing flu like symptoms we recommend that you postpone your visit, or alternatively call the service.

We also request that cash payments be limited. We offer a number of alternative payment methods:

• Online payments can be made using the BPAY details on your rates or water notice.
• Bank transfer: Gwydir Shire Council BSB 082-649 Account Number 509 547 471, the reference will be your Assessment Number, Debtor no, Invoice no, Surname.
• Phone payments are accepted over the phone with a credit/debit Visa card in both the Bingara and Warialda offices. Bingara (02) 6724 2000 Warialda (02) 6729 3000
• Counter payments will be accepted over the counter, preferred method of payment is by Debit or Credit card to limit cash handling.

For more up-to-date information on the virus we encourage you to visit https://www.health.gov.au/news/health-alerts/novel-coronavirus-2019-ncov-health-alert or phone the Coronavirus Health Information Line on 1800 020 080.

Thank you for your cooperation.