COVID-19 Updates

LDS safety measures

24 October 2022

Dear families, friends and advocates

Today I am writing to you about the LDS response to the reduced mandated COVID management approach.

From 14 October onwards the SA Government and SA Health have removed all COVID related mandates with the exception of compulsory vaccination for all healthcare, aged care and disability workers.

This means that there is no need to:

• QR Code
• Wear a mask when indoors with a client
• No isolation period for people infected with COVID
• No close contact requirements
• No requirements to have RAT surveillance programs

The nation is now moving on from the pandemic and to a COVID normal situation where COVID is considered to be a severe form of flu.

Because LDS works with vulnerable clients, many of which have underlying health needs, LDS will adopt a two-step approach with the phasing down of PPE and preventative measures.

Stage 1 – 14 October 2022 until 31 March 2023

During this stage LDS will ask staff to take the following precautions:

• Continue twice-weekly RAT surveillance testing (while stocks last)
• Continue to wear a mask when close to a client in their home or in a car
• LDS will continue to issue N95 masks, but surgical or cloth masks are allowable
• If a staff member becomes COVID positive we will ask them to stay away from work for 5 days or until they feel better. Regardless of when the staff member returns to work we will ask them to wear a mask at all times until 7 days have elapsed from infection
• If a staff member or a client becomes COVID positive we will ask anyone who has worked with them for the previous two days to daily RAT (while stocks last) for the next 5 days prior to attending any shift. The staff member can continue to work if they return negative results.
• We will continue to maintain personal hygiene, observe close contact rules and the cleaning of homes to reduce infection.

If a client becomes COVID positive LDS will continue our program of support:

• Inform family, support network and the NDIS of the infection
• Issue staff with full PPE and ask that they view videos on infection control prior to shift
• Ask the client to remain in their room as much as possible to reduce infection to staff and other clients
• Develop with the client new ways of engagement
• The infection control process will be in place for 5 days or until the client is not displaying any symptoms
• LDS will reduce the number of staff on shift and not allow these staff to work in other houses to reduce cross infection to other clients and staff
• LDS will continue to pay staff working with a COVID positive client an additional $100 per shift and provide shift guarantee if they become infected.

These will be reviewed from time to time, especially if infections reduce in the community so that LDS can return to normal work practices as soon as possible.

Stage 2 – From April 2023 (or earlier)

LDS in the coming months will work with the WHS & Wellbeing Team to develop our COVID-normal approach.

This may include the mandatory wearing of face masks, vaccination status, isolation from work and the use of RATs.  We will also review payment for working with an infected client.

This will be done in conjunction with the WHS Committee, Client Services and the Management team to ensure that we adhere to the easing regulations combined with keeping both our clients and staff safe.

If you have any immediate questions, please contact your SCSM or Team Leader.

Kind regards

Michael Kromwyk

Contact: Michael Kromwyk, COO  mkromwyk@ldssa.org.au