Aged Care Homes Currently on Lockdown

Two of Australia’s largest aged care providers have barred all visitors from their aged care homes in order to prevent the spread of COVID-19 (Coronavirus). Regis Aged Care and Estia Health have both implemented protocols to protect their vulnerable elderly residents, expanding on the government’s current guidelines.

The health and safety of aged care residents is the first priority for aged care service providers, with many more providers sure to follow in the coming days and weeks.

Regis Aged Care have said that there will be some exceptional circumstances (for example end of life care) where visitors will be allowed, as long as they are well and have not been overseas in the last 14 days. These situations will need to be discussed with the Facility Manager and determined on a case-by-case basis.

Estia Chief Executive Ian Thornley said all Estia facilities would close to visitors from 5pm on Wednesday.

"We understand that this decision will have significant impact on our residents and their close contacts and sincerely apologise for this," he said in an email to friends and family of residents.

Visitors would still be allowed in "exceptional circumstances on compassionate grounds" with volunteers also to be barred from Estia homes and non-essential resident outings banned.

The advice around aged care homes will continue to be monitored.

Find out more about Regis.