Premier slams aged care home staff’s dancing for breaking social distancing restrictions
Daniel Andrews has condemned an aged care home’s decision to ignore health directives and allow staff to dance for residents without any appropriate PPE or masks, pointing out the sector is still “high risk” despite falling infection figures.
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Premier Daniel Andrews has called out an aged care facility in Melbourne’s east after vision emerged of staff dancing and putting on a performance without PPE.
The vision, shot last Wednesday at AdventCare Whitehorse in Nunawading, shows staff dressed in traditional Bollywood clothing and dancing for residents at the facility.
They can be seen holding hands and cheering without wearing face masks or social distancing.
CEO David Reece on Monday denied claims of a staff party and said the video was taken during a high tea event organised to cheer-up residents.
“As part of the afternoon activity a few of the staff put on a brief dance routine for the residents who were seated at their tables,” Mr Reece said.
“This was a source of great enjoyment for the residents and helped to lift their spirits at this time.”
He said staff wore masks and appropriate PPE at all times during the event, except for during the routine.
“During the brief dance routine the dancers did not wear masks, but they put them back on as soon as they had finished,” he said.
But the performance did not please Mr Andrews, who on Monday said aged care settings were high risk.
“I am not here to quarrel with the CEO of that particular aged care facility, but I have seen comments from him talking about the fact that it was a closed event and only people who lived there and work there were involved,” he said.
“Well frankly, staff do not live there, they live in the community and we have community transmission so I do not know that is the best rebuttal or best defence.
“We all have to be vigilant and aged care is and will remain for the foreseeable future a high-risk environment.”
Victoria Police were also contacted for comment.
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