Sydney residents have been told not to visit aged care facilities over Christmas as the state battles to control a cluster of COVID-19 on the city’s Northern Beaches.
“Please don’t visit aged care facilities, the risk is just too high,” said NSW Chief Health Officer, Dr Kerry Chant.
“We will be releasing guidance to aged care facilities after further consultation with the aged care sector.”
She said while visitors to Sydney aged care homes weren’t welcome, she hoped for some flexibility for those in regional areas of NSW.
“In regional areas of NSW we still want to allow visitors into aged care facilities, but we’re cautious about not having people who have travelled into hotspots then visiting aged care.”
She said, however, rules would be flexible enough broadly across the state for changes to be made where required.Â
“Obviously with the case that someone may be at end of life, we would need to take a pragmatic approach there.”
“But anyone who its not essential to visit loved ones over the next few days, please don’t visit.
“Nursing homes are going to have to put in a lot of additional controls for visits in some cases, so please be patient, and delay your visit if possible.”
