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Current Acute Respiratory Infection (including Covid-19, influenza and RSV) visitation requirements

Everything you need to know about visiting our residential aged care homes

Every person matters

At Southern Cross Care Queensland, we are committed to creating a safe and welcoming environment for everyone in our community. Every person matters, and the health and wellbeing of our residents and staff remain our highest priority.
We continue to take a careful approach to safeguarding our community against Acute Respiratory Infections, including COVID-19, influenza, and RSV.
Following a thorough review by our Infection Prevention and Control Leads, we’ve made adjustments to our visitation protocols. Routine Rapid Antigen Testing (RAT) for staff and visitors is no longer required when entering our Residential Aged Care homes. However, in the event of an exposure or outbreak, RAT testing may be reinstated as a precautionary measure.

Key visitation guidelines for Covid-19:

  • Symptom monitoring: If you display symptoms or have been in contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19, please stay home and refrain from visiting. Symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat or respiratory issues.
  • Positive Covid -19 cases: If you have tested positive to COVID-19 in the past 7 days, please do not visit a residential aged care home.
  • RAT testing: RAT testing will be required if the home is in an outbreak situation, or if individuals are showing signs and symptoms of a respiratory illness.

Summary of current visitation requirements

Additional safety measures

  • Vaccinations:   We recommend that all staff and visitors stay up to date with their vaccinations & boosters.
  • Hygiene and safety: Please maintain good hygiene practices including regular handwashing and using hand sanitiser upon entry and while inside our homes.  We are also increasing daily cleaning of high-contact surfaces.
  • Outdoor gatherings:  Where possible we request that family gatherings take place in fresh air, with open ventilation.
  • Symptom management in others:  If you see anyone in our community with symptoms, please report this immediately to our staff.
  • Outbreak management: In the event of an ARI outbreak at one of our homes, we will activate our management plans and protocols using a risk-based assessment approach.  This may include the use of facemasks and other personal protective equipment.   We will continue to communicate any requirements for each home at that time.

For any concerns or questions about our ARI safety approach, please contact us on 1800 899 300 or email outbreak.updates@sccqld.com.au.

Your cooperation is greatly appreciated and together we can protect the health and wellbeing of our Southern Cross Care Queensland family.

Thank you for your ongoing support.