The Emergency Management (Residential Aged Care Facilities No 44) (COVID-19) Direction 2021 has been revoked and replaced by the Emergency Management (Residential Aged Care Facilities No 45) (COVID-19) Direction 2022. This Direction will take effect at 12.01am on 29 January 2022.
Key changes include:
From 29 January 2022, people who engage in work or perform duties in residential aged care facilities need to within 4 weeks of becoming eligible have a COVID-19 booster shot, or have evidence of a booking to receive a COVID-19 booster shot.
This requirement applies to:
- All people engaging in work or duties at residential aged care facilities including:
- Volunteers, contractors and agency staff;
- Direct care workers (nurses; personal care workers; allied health professionals; allied health assistants);
- Administration staff (reception; management; administration);
- Ancillary staff (food preparation; cleaning; laundry; garden; maintenance);
- Lifestyle / social care (music/art therapy);
- Transport drivers of residents of residential aged care facilities;
- Students on placement at a residential aged care facility; and
- Medical practitioners and allied health professionals who attend and provide care to residents of a residential aged care facility.
- All visitors of residential aged care facilities.
However, a person who engages in work or performs duties in residential aged care facilities is not required to have a COVID-19 booster shot if:
- They have a medical certificate or a letter from a legally qualified medical practitioner certifying that the person:
- Has a medical exemption from receiving a COVID-19 vaccine on either a permanent or temporary basis in accordance with guidelines published by ATAGI (Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation); or
- Has a medical exemption on either a permanent or temporary basis from receiving the preferred vaccine as recommended by ATAGI for the person's age; or
- Has an appointment to be assessed by a medical specialist or has started an assessment to determine if they have a medical exemption; and
- The certificate or letter specifies the nature of the exemption and the basis on which it applies; and
- The Chief Public Health Officer or her delegate has endorsed the exemption; and
- The person provides the operator of the residential aged care facility with a copy of the endorsement.
Other existing requirements remain.
The information above only highlights the key changes made to the Directions and does not reflect all requirements. Members of the public are encouraged to see the full Directions for further information.
All existing directions, frequently asked questions and other information can be found here: https://www.covid-19.sa.gov.au/emergency-declarations
If you require further information you can call the SA COVID-19 Information Line on 1800 253 787 between the hours of 8am to 8pm 7 days per week or go to the SA Health website at www.sahealth.sa.gov.au or www.sa.gov.au/covid-19
