27/01/2022 - Update
Dear family/whanau,
We hope this finds you well. We are preparing as well as we can for COVID-19/Omicron wave, given the uncertainty of how it will impact us.
The Ministry of Health have released guidelines for residential disability providers operating under Red setting. Please note the following new requirement, that Aspire is implementing immediately:
- Visitors may be asked for evidence of vaccination status. If they are not vaccinated a negative COVID-19 test 48 to 72 hours before their visits may be required.
You will be familiar with the rest of these protocols as they've been in place in previous alert levels:
- minimise staff and services transitioning between facilities, to prevent infection spreading
- log all visitors for contact tracing
- restrict movement of visitors within the home to minimise contact with other residents and staff
- minimise contact between visitors and other residents and staff
- ensure a maximum number of visits per day can be established on a case by case basis
- not allow visitors who are sick, have been ill recently, have COVID-19 symptoms, have been in contact with someone with COVID-19, are waiting a COVID-19 test result or are under self-isolation instructions from Public Health
- ensure face coverings are worn, unless an exemption is in place.
Support managers will be in touch with families soon to assess the next steps should your family member be exposed.
Nga mihi,
Judy Fynn
Chief Executive (acting)
COVID-19 Visiting Protocols
23/01/2022:
Good afternoon everyone
Today at 11am the Prime Minister announced that the whole of New Zealand would enter into the RED traffic light system at 11.59pm tonight. Businesses and domestic travel will remain open with maximum of 100 people at gatherings. Schools will reopen in two weeks. Therefore it is so important that the following points and recommendations are followed by Aspire:- Booster shots are our high priority for Staff and People we Support. If it has been 4 months since your double vaccination get it done now please.
- Masks are to be worn everywhere when leaving the house.
- Ensure vaccination passports are carried or on phones for everyone when leaving the house.
- Keep away from crowded places. Remember we will ALL be vulnerable as Omicron is highly contagious.
- Continue to use the contact covid tracer.
- Staff are to be aware of who is entering our houses and ensure visitors sign the visitors log and are wearing masks. Where possible encourage visitors to sit outside under shade with their family member or in a designated area. Offer cold drinks.
- When visiting the Tawa St office please wear masks and wait at reception. If you need to speak with any office staff / Managers they will come to reception to meet you.
The BCP team will be meeting to work out strategies if and when staff and people we support become unwell. You will be updated as information comes to hand.
