RetireAustralia Coronavirus update: 15 May 2020

A big thank you to our Resident Committee Chairs who provided advice and feedback on our plan to ease restrictions in our villages.We are most appreciative of your input and understanding of the balance we need to strike between easing restrictions and continuing to protect our communities who include people who are at high risk of serious illness from the virus.

So far we have not had a resident or staff contract COVID-19 and we want to keep it that way.

Phase 1 of easing restrictions from Monday 18 May

While we are all pleased that some restrictions are starting to be loosened, the message from the government is clear: the fight against COVID-19 is far from over. Confirmed cases are still being found, and these numbers could rapidly increase if we become complacent.

Older people, and those with underlying health conditions, are still as vulnerable to effects of the virus as they were before the lockdown began.

Our responsibilities in Phase 1

In phase 1, we all need to keep each other safe by continuing to:

• Maintain 1.5m physical distancing.
• 1 person per 4sqm indoors.
• Wash hands often and thoroughly.
• Cover coughs and sneezes.
• Stay at home if you’re feeling sick and get tested if you have any COVID-19 symptoms.
• Continue to stay at home as much as possible, especially if you are over 70 or have underlying health conditions.

Visitors

Care apartments:

• Up to 2 visitors at a time
• Up to an hour at a time
• In your apartment only
• Visiting hours, 10am – 3pm Monday to Friday, or by arrangement with the Village Manager
• Visits from children under 16 remain on hold

Independent Living Units:

Community activities and facilities

Outside areas and facilities:

• Gardens, bowling greens, tennis courts, bocce courts, BBQ area etc reopen for resident use only.
• Groups of a maximum of 10 residents at a time.
• For sport the group of 10 includes both participants and spectators. Participants must only touch their own gear.
• Resident can access BBQ areas by booking at reception. Please eat your own food and use your own utensils.
• Where villages have a community bus service, this will be available with social distancing in place.

Inside areas and facilities:

• Resident access only.
• Libraries can be accessed by appointment. One person, or a couple, at a time.
• Swimming pools can be accessed by booking at reception. Up to two people at a time. Please note that in NSW this applies to outdoor pools only, indoor pools remain closed.
• Swimming pool change and shower facilities are not permitted to be used, but toilets are.
• Hair salons and health clinics (e.g. GP, physio, podiatrist) can be accessed by appointment. Please maintain physical distancing at all times and note that cleaning will be completed between visits

The first phase of the government’s lifting of restrictions does not allow us to open all parts of the village, and all other amenities not listed above remain closed for now.

Prospective residents

Additionally, from 18 May, prospective residents, who have expressed a serious interest in joining our community, will be able to view the community centre as well as the unit they are interested in. These visits will be limited to a maximum of two people at a time and conducted under strict safety conditions.

Checkpoints

From Saturday 23 May, checkpoints will be pared back as follows:

• Checkpoints for Independent Living Units will cease.
  Please note: the exception to this is checkpoints at Bramblewood, Queens Park and Belrose Country Club Retirement Villages will continue due to the prevalence of COVID-19 in Sydney.

• Checkpoints for Care Apartments will be operated by village staff within the Care Apartment building.
• Staff and RetireAustralia contractors will continue to sign a health declaration.Temperature checks in Care Apartments will continue for staff and visitors.

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