COVID-19 Update 8 February 2021, 4.00pm

COVID-19 Update 8 February 2021, 4.00pm

The Western Australian State Government confirmed on Friday 5 February 2021 at 11.40am, pending no further local cases of COVID-19, the Perth, Peel and South West regions will end the five-day lockdown at 6pm on Friday 5 February 2021, however some COVID-safe measures remain. Full details can be found here.

From 6pm, Friday 5 February 2021 the following will come into effect:

• Perth and Peel regions will enter into a post-lockdown transition period until 12.01am, Sunday 14 February 2021. This allows the full 14-day incubation period to run its course.
• South West region has returned to pre-lockdown conditions.

The information below explains what this means for Juniper’s residential aged care facilities, home and community care services, and retirement living villages.

Residential Aged Care

Perth Metropolitan Facilities

In accordance with the Visitors to Residential Aged Care Facilities Directions No.6 (5 February 2021) and in response to the public health risk, all Juniper Perth metropolitan residential aged care facilities will continue to have visitor restrictions in place from 6pm, Friday 5 February 2021 through to 12.01am, Sunday 14 February 2021.

Visits are permitted for compassionate reasons, and controlled visits for care and support, as defined in the Directions No.6.   Please note:

• All visits must be discussed with the Residential Manager
• Care and support visits are limited to one person
• Bookings are required for all visits
• Time limits may be set for some visits
• All visitors are required to wear personal protective equipment including a mask, gloves and gown
• All visitors are required to complete the COVID-19 screening check before entry.
• Anyone who has visited an exposure site during the time specified on the Healthy WA website will be refused entry.

Visits are also permitted for:

• Acceptance of new admissions (with all infection control protocols in place)
• Essential medical treatments including General Practitioners and Allied Health workers
• Pastoral care staff

All visitors are reminded, if you have returned from overseas or been informed you are a close contact in the last 14 days or if are experiencing ANY symptoms, you may not enter a residential aged care facility.

Volunteers, students, and all non-essential service providers and contractors will not be permitted to enter.

Residential Care teams will continue to maintain strict infection control and visitor screening protocols, enhanced cleaning is taking place and all staff will be wearing masks.

We are supporting our residents to ensure their happiness and wellbeing during this period. Our therapy teams are facilitating a range of additional engaging activities and regular wellbeing assessments are being conducted.

We understand the importance of keeping our residents and families connected as much as possible during times of restricted visitation and we are committed to helping residents and their loved ones stay in regular contact.

During this transition period, our teams will continue to help families and residents stay connected through video and phone calls, and some of our care homes will establish a means of safely distanced visits, such as Welcome Windows. Please contact your facility directly for further information.

Residents are discouraged from leaving the facilities during this transition phase, however consideration will be given on a case-by-case basis by the Residential Manager following a risk assessment being conducted.  Residents will need to comply with the State Government directions including wearing a mask whilst offsite in public, and ensure other protocols are maintained including social distancing and hand hygiene.  On return to the facility, residents will be required to be screened and a further risk assessment performed.  The general public restrictions are outlined on the WA Government website here,

Juniper will continue to the monitor the situation closely and will reassess our visiting restrictions at the end of the transition period, or as may be required.

Regional facilities of Geraldton, Northam, Katanning and Albany

In accordance with the Visitors to Residential Aged Care Facilities Directions No.4, visits to Juniper’s Geraldton, Northam, Katanning and Albany residential aged care facilities will resume from 6pm, Friday 5 February through to 12.01am, Sunday 14 February under the following arrangements:

• Bookings are required for all visits to all Juniper residential care facilities during the visiting hours as determined by the Residential Manager for that site
• All visitors are required to complete the COVID-19 screening check before entry.
• Anyone who has visited an exposure site during the time specified on the Healthy WA website will be refused entry.
• Anyone who has come from the Perth or Peel region since 31 January 2021, will only be permitted entry at the Residential Manager’s discretion and is required to wear a mask whilst onsite.

All visitors are reminded, if you have returned from overseas or been informed you are a close contact in the last 14 days or if are experiencing ANY symptoms, you may not enter a residential aged care facility.

Juniper will continue to the monitor the situation closely and will reassess our visiting restrictions at the end of the post lockdown transition period, or as may be required.

Regional Facilities of Kimberley

Juniper aged care facilities in the Kimberley will continue to follow the Visitors to Residential Aged Care Facilities Directions No.4.

Further information will be sent to our residential aged care facility residents, and resident families and representatives directly.

Home and Community Care

Our Home and Community Care Clients will receive all normal services from 6pm on Friday 5 February 2021. For the post lockdown transition period, (through to 12.01am on Sunday 14 February 2021) and in line with the Western Australian State Government directions, our care staff will continue to wear face masks during visits, and will continue to call clients in advance to ask pre-screening questions before attending their residence.

Our Home and Community Care staff are continuing to provide wellbeing checks for clients who have chosen to temporarily suspend their services and will provide adjusted essential services according to client needs.

All Home and Community Care clients must also follow the general public restrictions as outlined on the WA Government website here, including wearing face masks when outside your home. Please follow the health advice on this website such as hand hygiene, social distancing and if you are experiencing any symptoms, please get tested.

Further information will be sent to our Home and Community Care clients directly.

Retirement Living

In accordance with the Western Australian State Government directions, from 6pm on Friday 5 February 2021 through to 12.01am on Sunday 14 February 2021, the following eased restrictions will apply:

• Common areas such as community halls, swimming pools and cafes will reopen with the 4sqm capacity ruling applied.
• 20-person limit for private indoor and outdoor gatherings.

Retirement Living Coordinators will resume work on-site, and will be wearing masks in line with WA Government guidelines.

All residents must also follow the general public restrictions as outlined on the WA Government website here, including wearing masks when outside your home. Please follow the health advice on this website such as hand hygiene, social distancing and if you are experiencing any symptoms, please get tested. Further information will be sent to our retirement living residents directly.

Juniper sincerely thanks all our residents, clients, and family members for their patience, cooperation and flexibility, as we continue to work hard to protect our Juniper community from the spread of infection.

This information will be updated as further information comes to hand.

Other COVID-19 information resources:

• www.health.gov.au
• WA Health
• 24-hr Coronavirus Health Information Line – 1800 020 080

MEDIA ENQUIRIES

Mel Newcombe
Clarity Communications
0410 461 816
mel.newcombe@claritycommunications.com.au