Creating A COVID-19 Safe Environment At Home

by Careseekers

As the situation in Melbourne unfolds and outbreaks are identified in New South Wales, it is important to remain vigilant and to all do our part in limiting transmission.

We know that COVID-19 spreads through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes. A person can acquire the virus by touch a surface or object that has virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose or eyes.

A key way you can protect yourself and others is by creaing a COVID safe environment in your home and have strict guidelines for care or support workers who are coming in to your home to assist you or loved ones.

By implementing the following measures you can help stop the spread and ensure your home stays a safe haven:

What you can do:

  • If you have any symptoms at all do not go to work.
  • Please ensure you have a test for COVID-19 as soon as possible.

You must self isolate if:

you have COVID-19

you are a close contact of someone with COVID-19

you have been tested for COVID-19 and are awaiting results

  • Clean and disinfect objects you use often such as mobile phones, keys, wallets and work passes.

  • Use tap and go instead of cash where possible.

  • Practice good hygiene, physical distancing and adhere to the guidelines for limits on public gatherings.

What you can expect care and support workers entering your house to do:

  • Keep re-iterating that they should not enter into the house if they are at all unwell and should get tested immediately if they have any Covid symptoms.

  • Wash hands and sanitise upon entering the home. Ensure each worker has their own towel to dry hands or uses paper towel.

  • Ask the workers to have a spare set of clothes that they can get changed into if they have arrived via public transport

  • Workers should wear a mask if they live in a known hot spot, as of writing it is mandatory to wear a mask if you live in Melbourne and the shire of Mitchell

  • Implement appropriate cleaning and disinfecting measures in your home. A comination of cleaning and disinfecting will be most effective in maintaining a virus-free space. You can ask your workers to help do this more often if domestic support is part of their role.

If you have any concerns please call the National Coronavirus Helpline for advice about COVID-19 on 1800 020 080.

To become a care or support worker, please visit www.careseekers.com.au/carer

To find aged care services, please visit www.careseekers.com.au/services/aged-care-workers

To find disability support services, please visit www.careseekers.com.au/services/disability-support-workers