Restrictions on visits to aged care facilities in place, residents in “good spirits”

Restrictions on Australian aged care facilities have come into effect, with Tasmania’s Premier urging visitors to help protect our vulnerable.

THE CEO of a Tasmanian aged care facility says residents are in good spirits amid big changes being made to combat coronavirus.

Southern Cross Care chief executive Robyn Boyd said though changes had been made, things were running smoothly across their facilities.

“We’re trying to make things as normal as possible,” she said.

“We don’t have any unwell people at this point in time. But we’ve got the right plans in place should we need to take action.”

On Monday, Premier Peter Gutwein confirmed changes made to the state’s aged care facilities.

He said many of the state’s aged care facilities had been managing with the new arrangements for some days.

“It’s important that we must protect our vulnerable, and that’s why there will be restricted access to residential aged care facilities,” he said.

“This will keep loved ones safe, and keep those we’re trying to protect even safer.”

These measures included limiting visits to two people for two hours, no visits for people under the age of 16, and no visits for people who were not up-to-date with their flu shot.

Southern Cross is the state’s largest not-for-profit aged care provider, with nine residential facilities and services across the state.

Ms Boyd said the introduced changes had a greater impact on residents than any of their 1100 staff.

“We’re communicating with them on a daily basis about what’s going on.

“We’ve had to stop group activities with the residents,” she said.

“Visitors are allowed to come in, but times are limited, and they’re encouraged to meet in the residents’ rooms and not common areas.

“Over time it may take a toll, but for now they’re all in very good spirits.”