Please view information, links and announcements below regarding COVID-19.
Please view information, links and announcements below regarding COVID-19.
MiCare Residential Aged Care updated visitation times for PWA in Birkdale, Queensland (effective as of 12 August) 11 August, 2020
Please note that MiCare is COVID-19 free and our homes in Victoria remain in voluntary lock down until further notice.
At Prins Willem Alexander Lodge in Birkdale, Queensland, we will be reverting to the previous visitation times and protocols. These are as follows:
Care and support visits, other than an end of life visits, are limited to maximum of two visitors at a time per resident.
If a person is attending PWA, they must, to the extent reasonably practical, practise practical physical distancing; and small family gatherings, undertake exercise, or attend a funeral.
Unfortunately, we are unable to permit Elders to leave the home for external excursions, this is directed by public health.
Visiting Hours
Mon — Fri 9:30AM-5:00PM
Sat — Sunday 1:30PM-4:30PM
Face masks are not required to be worn.
In addition, the current protocols remain in place under the QLD Aged Care Directories (No.8) a person must not enter, or remain on, the premises of a residential aged care facility in the State of Queensland until the end of the declared public health emergency if:
during the 14 days immediately preceding the entry, the person arrived in Australia from a place outside Australia; or
during the 14 days immediately preceding the entry, the person has been in COVID-19 hotspot; or
during the 14 days immediately preceding the entry, the person had known contact with a person who has a confirmed case of COVID-19; or
the person has a temperature equal or higher than 37.5 degrees or symptoms of acute respiratory infection; or
the person does not have an up to date vaccination against influenza, if the vaccination is available to the person.
Restrictions are changing to slow the spread of coronavirus in Victoria.
Stage 4 restrictions are in place from 6pm on Sunday 2 August for metropolitan Melbourne
Stage 3 restrictions will be in place from 11:59pm on Wednesday 5 August for Regional Victoria, including Mitchell Shire
Everyone must wear a mask when they leave home, unless an exception applies. This is enforceable across regional Victoria from 11:59pm on Sunday 2 August
Metropolitan Melbourne – Stage 4 restrictions
From 6pm on Sunday 2 August, restrictions are changing for metropolitan Melbourne. Metropolitan Melbourne is moving to Stage 4 Restrictions. The definition of metropolitan Melbourne is based on the Planning and Environment Act 1987 which sets out the local government areas that form metropolitan Melbourne, and will not include Mitchell Shire for the purposes of the Stage 4 curfew or travel restrictions.
These changes are being introduced to reduce the number of people leaving their homes and moving around Victoria.
From 2 August, a curfew will be in place in metropolitan Melbourne. Curfews will be in operation from 8pm to 5am every evening, with people only allowed to leave their house for work, and essential health, care or safety reasons.
From 5am – 8pm, you can only leave your home for one of the following four reasons:
Necessary goods and services:
To shop for necessary goods and services.
You can only travel up to 5km from your home. You should stay as close to your home as possible, for example shopping at the nearest supermarket. For some people the nearest goods and services will be more than 5km away. In this situation you may travel beyond 5km to the nearest provider.
Only one person per household can leave home to get necessary goods and services and only once a day (this means you can’t do multiple shopping trips in a day). You should limit the time you spend away from home. If you are unable to leave home because it would mean leaving a young child or at-risk person at home unattended then they may accompany you.
Exercise:
You can leave home to exercise but there are limits:
You must not travel more than 5km from where you live to exercise.
You can exercise with one other person you live with or a friend or family member, as long as neither of you travel more than 5km from your home. Please use common sense and limit the number of people you see in person right now. It is safer to connect with friends and family using phone calls, social media and video calls. If you are exercising with someone else, you should keep 1.5 metres distance between you. Don’t hug, kiss or shake hands.
You must limit your exercise to once a day and for only one hour.
If you are a parent or guardian who is caring for a young child or someone who cannot be left unattended then they may accompany you.
Care and health care:
You can leave home to receive health care or attend medical appointments. If you need to see a doctor or health care professional, you should do so. Do not put off getting medical care. Your doctor or health care professional can provide advice on how to stay safe.
You can leave home to care for a sick or elderly relative. If you are providing care for someone you should try to keep 1.5 metres between you when you can. Wear a face covering.
You can leave home to accompany someone for essential medical treatment if you are a parent, guardian or necessary support person.
You can take a pet to the vet.
Work:
If you can work from home, you must continue to work from home. Further announcements regarding workplaces will be made in the coming days.
Study at TAFE and university must be done remotely.
Personal:
You can still visit an intimate partner.
Shared parenting arrangements, both formal and informal, can continue for children.
You can leave home if there is an emergency.
You can leave home if there is family violence, or violence by another person in the home, and you are at risk. If you are stopped by police, tell them you are feeling unsafe at home and they will help you. Safe accommodation and support for family violence is available. Call safe steps on 1800 015 188 or email safesteps@safesteps.org.au for help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
If you do need to leave home, you should wash your hands before you leave and when you return home. Keep at least 1.5 metres between yourself and others. Always wear a face covering, unless you have a lawful exception.
Never, ever go out if you are unwell, unless it is to get tested and then you must go straight home.
If we all do this, we can protect our loved ones, friends, colleagues, health care workers and the community.
Regional Victoria – Stage 3 restrictions
From 11:59pm on Wednesday 5 August, Stage 3 Stay at Home restrictions apply in Victoria, except if you live in metropolitan Melbourne where Stage 4 restrictions apply. The definition of metropolitan Melbourne is based on the Planning and Environment Act 1987 which sets out the local government areas that form metropolitan Melbourne.
If you live in regional Victoria, including Mitchell Shire, there are only four reasons that you can leave home:
to shop for food and essential goods or services
to provide care, for compassionate reasons or to seek medical treatment
to exercise or for outdoor recreation with your household, or one other person
for work or study, if you can’t do it from home
You may no longer have visitors to your home or visit other people in their homes.
We all need to play our part to help slow the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19). By staying at home and limiting contact with other people, we can help protect ourselves, our families and our communities from coronavirus (COVID-19).
Who does this apply to, and when?
From 6pm on Sunday 2 August 2020, Stage 4 restrictions apply to all people living in the Melbourne metropolitan area (but not Mitchell Shire). If you don’t live in this area, then Stage 3 restrictions will apply to you. The definition of metropolitan Melbourne is based on the Planning and Environment Act 1987 which sets out the local government areas that form metropolitan Melbourne. The local government areas where Stage 4 restrictions apply are:
Banyule
Bayside
Boroondara
Brimbank
Cardinia
Casey
Darebin
Frankston
Glen Eira
Greater Dandenong
Hobsons Bay
Hume
Kingston
Knox
Manningham
Maribyrnong
Maroondah
Melbourne
Melton
Monash
Moonee Valley
Moreland
Mornington Peninsula
Nillumbik
Port Phillip
Stonnington
Whitehorse
Whittlesea
Wyndham
Yarra
Yarra Ranges
To read more, please click here to view more on the Victoria State Government’s Health and Human Services website.
Older Persons COVID-19 Support Line 29 July, 2020
The Older Persons COVID-19 Support Line is a joint initiative of COTA Australia, Dementia Australia, National Seniors and the Older Persons Advocacy Network (OPAN), and is supported by funding from the Australian Government. Older Australians, their families, friends and carers can free call the support line if they:
• Would like to talk with someone about the COVID-19 restrictions and its impact on them
• Feel lonely or worry about a loved one
• Care for someone and need some information or someone to talk to
• Need advice or access to services
• Would like to arrange a one-off or regular wellbeing check for themselves, or someone else. The support line is available on 1800 171 866, 8.30am - 6pm AEST weekdays.
Face coverings mandatory for Melbourne and Mitchell Shire 20 July, 2020
People living in metropolitan Melbourne and Mitchell Shire and will now be required to wear a face covering when leaving home for one of the four reasons, following a concerning increase in coronavirus cases in recent days.
People living in metropolitan Melbourne and Mitchell Shire and will now be required to wear a face covering when leaving home for one of the four reasons, following a concerning increase in coronavirus cases in recent days.
Based on the latest advice from the Chief Health Officer, we’re urging Victorians: just as you remember to take your keys when you leave the house, you need to remember to take something to cover your face – to help keep you and our community safe.
To give people time to purchase or make a face covering, this new rule won’t be enforced until after 11.59pm on Wednesday 22 July – but for those who can, please start wearing yours immediately. The fine for not wearing a face covering will be $200.
To read the full article on Victoria State Government’s Department of Health and Human Services website please click here.
COVID-19 translated information for people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, health professionals and industry. Information includes factsheets and promotional materials from the Victoria State Government's Department of Health and Human Services.
COVIDSafe app now available in five commonly spoken languages 9 July, 2020
As part of its ongoing commitment to supporting Australia’s multicultural communities, the Australian Government has announced the COVIDSafe app is now available in five commonly spoken languages.
From 3 July 2020, the COVIDSafe app has been translated into Arabic, Simplified and Traditional Chinese, Korean and Vietnamese allow people to download and use the app in their own language.
It is anticipated that further languages will be added over coming months.
Further information on the announcement can be found here.
COVID-19 in Victoria aged care homes update 9 July, 2020
The rapid spread of COVID-19 in Victoria is a concern to all. We have now entered stage 3 stay-at-home orders which means you will only be allowed to leave your home for four reasons:
Work or study;
care giving or receiving;
exercise; and/or
essential shopping.
The reintroduction of stage 3 stay-at-home orders directly affects all of MiCare’s Victorian aged care homes.
All MiCare Victorian aged care homes will enter into voluntary lockdown from 7PM July 9, 2020, until further notice. This means that all visiting will be suspended.
In exceptional circumstances such as end of life care, you are encouraged to liaise directly with the manager who will facilitate your visit.
Social leave for Elders is strongly discouraged at this time given the level of community transmission.
Urgent external medical appointments can still be held if they cannot be postponed or held via an alternative method such as telehealth
Please communicate with the home directly for alternative methods of communication.
Currently, MiCare has no cases of COVID-19. We are however in a heightened state of vigilance and our actions are in line with both the Premier’s orders and the updated National Aged Care Visitors Access Code. The communities continued support and understanding assists MiCare to protect our most vulnerable Elders.
We will regularly review the restriction protocols and communicate changes as soon as we are able to.
Be reassured that MiCare has well developed COVID-19 outbreak and contingency plans in line with the Department of Health recommendations. Staff are well trained with regard to infection control protocols and this is an ongoing process. All staff continue to be screened before the commencement of each shift and are regularly provided with updated information and training.
Stay home, stay safe. If you have any symptoms, however mild, get tested.
We are totally committed to quality care and will continue being on maximum alert for COVID-19 for the foreseeable future. Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact the General Manager Residential Services, Kate Kelly on03 9788 9020 or email gmrs@micare.com.au
Kate Kelly
General Manager Residential Services
MiCare Residential Aged Care updated visitation times for PWA 9 July, 2020
Due to COVID-19 visiting restrictions currently apply to Prins Willem Alexander Lodge, current visiting times are:
Prins Willem Alexander Lodge, Birkdale
Monday through to Friday, between 9:30AM — 5:00PM
Saturday and Sunday, between 1:30PM — 4:30PM
Translated coronavirus (COVID-19) resources
A list of resources about COVID-19 in other languages. The resources include fact sheets, guidelines, and other publications. You can also view SBS's COVID-19 videos in various languages here.
To view all translated resources, please click here.
Looking after ourselves and our family during the coronavirus pandemic
The coronavirus pandemic has had a profound impact on all facets of our society. While it is reasonable for people to be concerned about the outbreak of the coronavirus we are seeing some light at the end of the tunnel with the easing of restrictions commencing this week. We must still remember to look after ourselves and our family and friends as it is normal to feel overwhelmed or stressed by social restrictions or news of the outbreak. Information is available on the R U OK website. Social contact and maintaining routines can be supportive for our mental health and wellbeing and some helpful hints can be found here.
If you think you need further help - Beyond Blue Support Service provides advice and support via telephone 24/7 on 1300 22 4636 or Lifeline Australia on 13 11 14.
Your health is in all our hands — Leading Age Care Services Australia
COVID-19 updates
Please click here to view the latest COVID-19 updates.
COVIDSafe
MiCare endorses the Australian Government's COVIDSafe app. We encourage everyone to download the app. To find out more and how to download the app to your phone please click here.
General COVID-19 information
Please click here to view COVID-19 translated information for people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, health professionals and industry.
