Same day outings

For those residents who go out and return on the same day, there is no need for an immediate RAT on return, but staff will monitor for any symptoms. If any resident is subsequently informed that they have had contact with a positive COVID case while outside the facility, they will be tested and monitored, and will follow close contact protocols.

Overnight outings

For residents who go out overnight (1 or more days), on return they will need to have a Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) on day 3 and day 6. Staff will monitor for any symptoms, and if any resident is subsequently informed that they have had contact with a positive COVID case while outside the facility, they will be tested and monitored, and follow close contact protocols.

All resident leave will be tracked and monitored through the Facility Manager during the week, and the Team Leaders on weekends.

Shepparton Villages is working hard to limit the chance of re-exposure in our residential care homes, and we are doing our very best to prevent further lockdowns.

We understand the directives and guidelines may not always make sense at the outset, but we can assure you that every decision and protocol put in place by Shepparton Villages is thoroughly discussed internally, as well as with external  infection control experts and advice is always sought from the appropriate authorities.

Visitor Rapid Antigen Tests

As communicated yesterday (Feb 10), Shepparton Villages can currently supply one Rapid Antigen Test for one resident visitor a day. This is dependent on Federal Government supply and subject to change at short notice. We have asked all other visitors (up to 5 visitors are permitted per resident per day) to please supply their own Rapid Antigen Test before entering.

This may sound harsh; however the management of RAT supply is an incredibly difficult and complicated process given the changing environment on a day to day basis, and our supply through the Commonwealth Government is for the primary use of residents and staff. With over 500 staff and more than 300 residents, depending on the cycle of testing, this is a day-by-day issue for us.

The Government has introduced a program to assist Pensioners to get free RA Tests. This program gives pensioners access to free RA Tests, more information is available on the health.gov.au website. Pensioners can access up to 10 RATs over a 3 month period (max 5 over a 1 month period) through community pharmacies.

We appreciate the support and assistance of residents and families with the various guidelines and directives, and should you have any questions or concerns, please raise them during office hours with the Facility Manager.

The following is the current visitor policy for all residential sites across Shepparton Villages not in lockdown, and we ask you to please share with your family members:

• Up to five visitors per resident per day (maximum limit of two at a time), with Shepparton Villages providing ONE Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) for ONE nominated visitor, the remaining four visitors must supply their own Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) to be conducted onsite prior to visiting and under direction from Door Monitors. **
• MUST be pre-booked via Zipline
• Weekday visits can occur 9am and 7pm, Monday to Friday
• Weekend visits, 10am to 4pm Saturday and Sunday
• Please avoid visiting during mealtimes as visitors are not permitted in the communal dining areas at any times.
• We encourage all visits to take place in the outdoor gardens and courtyards where possible, weather permitting, OR visits must be conducted in resident rooms
• Visitors must wear a mask while in residential home precincts, including outdoors areas and courtyards, and must observe hand hygiene and social distancing.

** PLEASE NOTE:  Shepparton Villages does not have enough supply of Rapid Antigen Tests (RAT) to provide all visitor RAT screenings, however, ONE RAT will be provided for ONE visitor per day, this will be recorded at entry – all other remaining visitors must provide their own RAT before entering.  This is contingent on supply from the Commonwealth Government and subject to change at short notice. Please sort this process between family members to avoid any issues upon entry.

Those unable to access Zipline can call the facility numbers below, between 10am and 4pm, Monday to Friday to make a visitor booking, noting visitor hours are from 9am to 7pm during the week and 10am to 4pm on weekends.

• Maculata Place: (03) 58 92 4000
• Hakea Lodge: (03) 58 32 0866
• Mooroopna Place: (03) 58 20 5500
• Banksia Lodge: (03) 58 23 9900

As is always the case should anything change, we will inform you as soon as possible.

Please share this information with your family.

We thank you most sincerely for your patience and understanding over recent weeks, and we are fully aware that the COVID situation in the community is still at critical point, so we urge vigilance on all fronts.