To our residents, patients, families, carers and supporters,
I am writing to update you on our response to the Victorian government’s cautious approach to areas that are being called ‘hot spots’ in Melbourne. As you will have no doubt seen, there has been a rise in people testing positive with COVID-19 and a number of Melbourne suburbs will be in lockdown from 11:59 on the 1st July:
| Postcode | Suburbs |
|---|---|
| 3038 | Keilor Downs, Keilor Lodge, Taylors Lakes, Watergardens |
| 3021 | Albanvale, Kealba, Kings Park, St Albans |
| 3012 | Brooklyn, Kingsville, Maidstone, Tottenham, West Footscray |
| 3042 | Airport West, Keilor Park, Niddrie, Niddrie North |
| 3064 | Craigieburn, Donnybrook, Mickleham, Roxburgh Park, Kalkallo |
| 3047 | Broadmeadows, Dallas, Jacana |
| 3060 | Fawkner |
| 3032 | Ascot Vale, Highpoint City, Maribyrnong, Travancore |
| 3046 | Glenroy, Hadfield, Oak Park |
| 3055 | Brunswick South, Brunswick West, Moonee Vale, Moreland West |
In addition, from 11:59pm on the 4 July 2020, the following postcodes were added to the list:
| 3031 | includes Flemington, Kensington |
| 3051 | includes includes Hotham Hill, North Melbourne |
Additional postcodes added to this letter on 7th July 2020
In accordance with Government guidelines,we are now discouraging visitors from restricted postcodes, unless necessary. Visitors are permitted when required for care giving, and for compassionate reasons. The number of visitors, and the duration of their stay should be minimised.
We apologise for the inconvenience, and hope that we will be able to revise this decision soon. Of course, we will always consider visitation in individual cases on compassionate grounds, and with the usual conditions of entry, including:
- Complete a pre-entry screening questionnaire on arrival at the facility
- Provide written evidence of their 2020 influenza vaccination (residential aged care facilities only)
- Agree to have their temperature checked
- Ensure good hand hygiene
- Keep socially distanced from the resident, patient and employees, at a minimum distance of 1.5 metres apart at all times
- Have no more than two people visiting
- Only visit in the designated space, agreed with the manager
- Not visit if unwell or have been in contact with someone who has, or may have COVID-19
Our visitation program will always be governed by the relevant Victorian Government directions and we continue to review our visiting restrictions on a regular basis. We may have to further alter our visitation program if we see an increase of confirmed COVID-19 cases in our communities, or where visitors come from.
Thank you for your ongoing support and please free to contact me or the manager of your facility should you wish to share any feedback.
Kindest Regards
Maree Cuddihy, CEO
Central Highlands Rural Health
