Superseded - Residential Aged Care Visitor Direction

This direction has been superseded on 13 May 2022. See the current Residential Aged Care Visitor Direction (No. 2).

Summary

Effective from: 12 March 2022

Posted: 12 March 2022

Superseded on: 13 May 2022

Direction from Chief Health Officer in accordance with emergency powers arising from the declared public health emergency

Public Health Act 2005 (Qld)
Section 362B

On 29 January 2020, under the Public Health Act 2005, the Minister for Health and Minister for Ambulance Services made an order declaring a public health emergency in relation to coronavirus disease (COVID-19). The public health emergency area specified in the order is for ‘all of Queensland’. Its duration has been extended by regulation to 26 March 2022 and may be further extended.

Further to this declaration, l, Dr John Gerrard, Chief Health Officer, reasonably believe it is necessary to give the following directions pursuant to s362B of the Public Health Act 2005 to assist in containing, or to respond to, the spread of COVID-19 within the community.

Preamble

1. This Public Health Direction revokes the Residential Aged Care Direction (No. 13) made on 10 February 2022.

2. The requirements set out in this Public Health Direction only apply while it is in force (until the end of the declared public health emergency, unless earlier revoked or replaced).

3. The Commonwealth is responsible for regulating and funding aged care under the Aged Care Act 1997 (Cth). The requirements set out in this Public Health Direction are intended to operate in addition to any existing requirements under the Aged Care Act 1997 (Cth), including related subordinate legislation.

4. To the extent of any inconsistency between this Public Health Direction and a requirement under the Aged Care Act 1997 (Cth), the Act applies or prevails.

5. Separately from the requirements under Public Health Directions, under sections 362G and 362H of the Public Health Act 2005, an emergency officer (public health) can require a facility or person to comply with additional directions if the emergency officer believes it is reasonably necessary to assist in containing, or to respond to, the spread of COVID-19 in the community.

Citation

6. This Public Health Direction may be referred to as the Residential Aged Care Visitor Direction.

Revocation

7. The Residential Aged Care Direction (No.13) made on 10 February 2022 is revoked and replaced from of this Public Health Direction and is replaced by this Direction.

Commencement

8. This Direction applies from the time of publication until the end of the declared public health emergency, unless it is revoked or replaced.

Application

9. This Direction applies to a visitor of a resident of a residential aged care facility, a person who is entering to volunteer and to a student undertaking a placement at a residential aged care facility.

PART 1 – VACCINATION AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS FOR RESIDENTIAL AGED CARE FACILITIES

10. A visitor, volunteer or student, is not permitted to enter or remain at a residential aged care facility if the person:

    1. is an international arrival who arrived during the 14 days immediately preceding the proposed time of entry, even if they no longer have to isolate or quarantine under another public health direction; or

    2. is a diagnosed person or has recently ended isolation as a diagnosed person and 7 days have not passed between the end of isolation and the proposed time of entry ; or

    3. has been informed or has become aware they are a close contact of a diagnosed person, unless their quarantine period has ended, and more than 7 days have passed between the end of quarantine and the proposed time of entry; or

    4. has a temperature equal to or higher than 37.5 degrees or symptoms consistent with COVID-19; or

    5. has undertaken a COVID-19 test and has not yet received the results of that test, unless the test was for a surveillance testing obligation under a Public Health Direction or Protocol approved by the Chief Health Officer.

       Note: A person awaiting COVID-19 test results as part of a surveillance testing obligation must still comply with the requirements in paragraphs 10(a) to (d). For example, a person awaiting results of a routine COVID-19 test required under a protocol must not enter, or remain on, the premises of a residential aged care facility if they have symptoms consistent with COVID-19.

11. Paragraph 10 does not apply:

    1. where the visitor or volunteer is attending at the residential aged care facility, with the permission of the operator, for the purpose of an end of life visit for a resident of the residential aged care facility and has an exemption under Part 5 for the end of life visit; and

    2. where the visitor, volunteer or student is in isolation or quarantine, or during the post-isolation or post-quarantine periods, is permitted to leave isolation or quarantine under the Isolation of Diagnosed Cases of COVID-19 and Management of Close Contacts Direction (No.5) or its successors.

Restrictions on entry for unvaccinated visitors and volunteers

12. In addition to paragraph 10, a visitor or volunteer, who is unvaccinated, must not enter, or remain on, the premises of a residential aged care facility in the State of Queensland unless the visitor or volunteer is:

    1. under 16 years of age; or

    2. unable to receive a COVID-19 vaccine because of a recognised medical contraindication and has evidence of a recognised medical contraindication; or

    3. a COVID-19 vaccine trial participant, and receipt of a Therapeutic Goods Administration approved vaccine would impact the validity of the trial. As this exemption is temporary, the medical certificate must not have expired.

    4. entering the premises for an end of life visit for a resident of the residential aged care facility; or

       Note: Please note that an exemption is not needed for an unvaccinated person entering into a residential aged care facility for an end of life visit.

    5. entering the premises to provide support to a resident in an emergency situation; or

    6. maintaining continuity of care to a resident of a residential aged care facility, including advocacy services, that cannot be delivered by electronic or non-contact means.

Note: A carer or support person who is not fully vaccinated can attend a residential aged care facility to provide essential care, caring responsibilities or to fulfil other advocacy roles to a resident of the aged care facility, provided that they comply with the risk mitigation measures put in place by the facility. For example a visitor providing support for a resident to eat their meals.

Note: All unvaccinated persons who are permitted to enter the facility must follow the risk mitigation measures put in place by the facility. For example this may require wearing a single use-surgical face mask, safely physically distancing from others or having a COVID-19 test within 24 hours of entering the facility.

Obligation on operators

13. The operator of a residential aged care facility must take all reasonable steps to ensure that a visitor or volunteer does not enter or remain on the premises of the residential aged care facility if the visitor or volunteer is prohibited from doing so under this Direction.

14. Nothing in this Direction is to be taken to prevent a resident of a residential aged care facility from entering or remaining upon the premises of the residential aged care facility.

Public Health Measures - visitors and volunteers

15. A visitor or volunteer to a residential aged care facility must:

    1. to the extent reasonably practicable, practise physical distancing and limit their contact with other persons at the facility; and

    2. comply with any or all of the following requirements:

       1. face mask requirements in another public health direction;

       2. additional personal protective equipment requirements;

       3. any other additional visitor restrictions implemented by the operator of the residential aged care facility to effectively manage an outbreak.

COVID-19 Response - Residents

16. The operator of a residential aged care facility must take reasonable steps to develop and document appropriate processes to ensure residents and their unique needs can be immediately identified in a COVID-19 event.

    Example: This may include requirements for residents to wear identification if appropriate, and to ensure residents’ personal preferences and needs are documented appropriately, for example by keeping a hard copy of each resident’s relevant records securely stored in the facility, including current medications list, personal care requirements and preferences, and their advance care planning documents and directions.

17. The operator of a residential aged care facility may permit a resident to leave the facility for any purpose.

    Note – Residents who form part of a familial group (for example, couples, siblings) or close friends should be permitted to leave the facility together. A resident who leaves a residential aged care facility must comply with other public health directions.

PART 2 – ELECTRONIC COLLECTION OF CONTACT INFORMATION

Collection of information

18. The operator of a residential aged care facility must make all reasonable efforts to electronically collect contact information about all visitors and volunteers, to a residential aged care facility at the time of entry, by either:

    1. requesting visitors and volunteers use the Check In Qld app; or

    2. registering visitors and volunteers through the Business Profile mode of the Check In Qld app.

       Example – a person may be unable to use the Check in Qld app due to age, disability, language barriers or does not possess the technology or own a mobile phone. The residential aged care facility must register the visitor through the Business Profile mode. Alternatively, another person may provide contact information on their behalf under paragraph 22.

19. Despite paragraph 18 an operator of a residential aged care facility is not required to request a visitor’s or volunteer’s contact information under paragraph 18 if:

    1. the visitor or volunteer is entering a residential aged care facility in an emergency; or

    2. the visitor or volunteer is or appears to be younger than 16 years old; or

    3. it is not reasonable to request contact information based on compassionate grounds or a risk to a person’s safety.

20. An operator of a residential aged care facility must make all reasonable efforts to clearly display the Check In Qld app QR code at each entry to the residential aged care facility that is used by visitors and volunteers.

21. A person who is permitted to enter a residential aged care facility under this Direction as a visitor or volunteer, must at the time of entry provide their contact information to the operator of a residential aged care facility by:

    1. using the Check In Qld App; or

    2. providing their contact details to the operator of the business to be registered using the Business Profile mode of the Check In Qld app; or

    3. if another method of collection is being used under paragraph 25 using that method.

22. If a visitor or volunteer is unable to provide contact information because of age, disability or an inability to speak or comprehend the language used by the Check In Qld App or the other method of collection, another person may provide contact information on the visitor’s or volunteer’s behalf.

23. Despite paragraph22, a person who is permitted to enter a residential aged care facility under this Direction as a visitor or volunteer, is not required to provide their contact information to the operator of a residential aged care facility if:

    1. the visitor or volunteer is entering a residential aged care facility in an emergency; or

    2. the visitor or volunteer is under the age of 16 years old; or

    3. it is not reasonable for a visitor or volunteer to provide contact information based on compassionate grounds or a risk to a person’s safety.

       Example – a support person arriving at the facility to respond to an emergency situation relating to a resident is not required to provide their contact information on entry to the facility.

Collection of contact information using another method due to temporary circumstances

24. If an operator of a residential aged care facility cannot electronically collect contact information for visitors or volunteers to the facility at the time of entry because it is not possible to use the Check In Qld app due to unexpected circumstances or because the facility is located in a place that does not have mobile internet data connection, the operator of a residential aged care facility must collect and keep contact information using another method.

    Example – another electronic method such as a spreadsheet or another method such as a paper-based form

    Note - unexpected circumstances may include temporary issues with failure of an internet service or breakdown in the Check In Qld app.

25. If contact information is collected using ‘another method’ under paragraph 24, the operator of a residential aged care facility must:

    1. use best endeavours to transfer any non-electronic information to an electronic system within 24 hours of collecting the information; and

       Example - an electronic method such as a spreadsheet

    2. comply with the requirements for collection and storage; and

    3. if requested, provide the information collected under paragraph 22 and the electronic information under paragraph 25(a) to a public health officer within a stated time.

PART 3 – PROOF OF COVID-19 VACCINATION COMPLIANCE FOR VISITORS AND VOLUNTEERS

Requirements for visitors and volunteers

26. A visitor or volunteer aged 16 years or older who enters or remains at a residential aged care facility must, prior to entry, provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination or evidence of recognised medical contraindication or of being a COVID-19 vaccine trial participant.

27. If a visitor or volunteer is unable to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination or evidence of a recognised medical contraindication or of being a COVID-19 vaccine trial participant because of age, disability or an inability to speak or comprehend the language or technology used when requesting the proof or evidence, another person may provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination or medical contraindication or evidence of being a COVID-19 vaccine trial participant on the person’s behalf.

Proof of COVID-19 vaccination or medical contraindication

28. Proof of COVID-19 vaccination or evidence of medical contraindication or of being a COVID-19 vaccine trial participant (printed or electronic) includes:

    1. written confirmation of COVID-19 vaccination provided to the person as part of the vaccination process, such as a record of vaccine card; or

    2. vaccination information displayed on the Check in Qld app; or

    3. a COVID-19 digital certificate or printed vaccination certificate from the Australian Immunisation Register; or

    4. an online or printed immunisation history statement for COVID-19 vaccination, including confirmation of a medical contraindication; or

       Note: A person’s immunisation history statement can be obtained from the Australian Government using myGov, the Medicare mobile app or by calling the Australian Immunisation Register and requesting a statement to be posted.

       Note: If a person is unable to receive a COVID-19 vaccine because of a recognised medical contraindication, they must provide evidence of a medical contraindication. Upon provision of evidence of a recognised medical contraindication or of being a COVID-19 vaccine trial participant, a person will be treated as if they are fully vaccinated.

    5. evidence of being a COVID-19 vaccine trial participant;

    6. an International COVID-19 Vaccination Certificate:

       1. in a printed or electronic form from the Department of Home Affairs that confirms completion of an Digital Passenger Declaration and vaccination against COVID-19 overseas; or

       2. through Medicare online account through myGov or the Express Plus Medicare mobile app; or

       3. an official record of vaccination provided to the person when vaccinated against COVID-19 overseas.

Requirements for operators in relation to visitors and volunteers

29. An operator of a residential aged care facility, must, make all reasonable efforts to confirm that the visitor or volunteer entering and remaining on their premises is fully vaccinated by requesting and sighting proof of COVID-19 vaccination or evidence of recognised medical contraindication or of being a COVID-19 vaccine trial participant (printed or electronic).

30. An operator of a residential aged care facility is not required to request a visitor’s or volunteer’s proof of COVID-19 vaccination or evidence of recognised medical contraindication or of being a COVID-19 vaccine trial participant (printed or electronic) under paragraph 29 if:

    1. the visitor or volunteer is or appears to be younger than 16 years old; or

       Note: Whilst a visitor or volunteer who is 5 years or older is eligible to be fully vaccinated, proof of COVID-19 vaccination is only required for a visitor who is 16 years or older.

    2. the visitor or volunteer enters in an emergency; or

    3. it is not reasonable to collect proof of COVID-19 vaccination due to a risk to the safety of staff and other visitors or volunteers.

PART 4 – VACCINATION REQUIREMENTS FOR STUDENTS

31. A student must not enter, or remain on, the premises of a residential aged care facility for the purpose of a placement in connection with an enrolled course of study, unless they are a vaccinated student.

32. A vaccinated student must provide evidence of having received the prescribed number of doses of their COVID-19 vaccine, and a booster dose where eligible.

    Note: A vaccinated student can provide evidence of vaccination in their immunisation history statement from the Australian Immunisation Register. A vaccinated student can obtain their immunisation history statement from the Australian Government using myGov, the Medicare mobile app or by calling the Australian Immunisation Register and requesting a statement to be posted. Information is available at: https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/individuals/services/medicare/australian-immunisation-register/how-get-immunisation-history-statement.

    Note: a student is unvaccinated if they have not received the prescribed doses of a COVID-19 vaccine including where this is because they have a medical contraindication or if they are unable to be vaccinated as a result of participating in a COVID-19 vaccine trial.

PART 5 – EXEMPTIONS

33. The Queensland Chief Health Officer, Deputy Chief Health Officer or their delegate may grant an exemption, with or without conditions, in writing to a visitor to whom paragraph 10(a) to (e) applies:

    1. for an End of life visit; or

    2. in other exceptional circumstances;

from all or part of this direction to an individual or class of individuals.

34. A visitor who enters a facility under an exemption granted under paragraph 33 must comply with all conditions imposed by the Chief Health Officer, Deputy Chief Health Officer or delegate under the exemption.

35. If a visitor enters a facility under paragraph 33, the operator of the facility must take reasonable steps to manage the person’s visit in accordance with the conditions imposed by the Chief Health Officer, Deputy Chief Health Officer or delegate under the exemption.

    Example: An operator may need to ensure the resident being visited is in a single room, the visitor wears appropriate personal protective equipment, is escorted to and from the room, and avoids common areas and contact with other residents, visitors and staff.

PART 6 – OTHER MATTERS

36. An emergency officer (public health) can require the operator of a residential aged care facility to comply with additional directions if the emergency officer believes the direction is reasonably necessary to assist in containing, or to respond to, the spread of COVID-19 within the community.

37. Definitions used in this Direction are in Schedule 1.

PART 7 — PENALTIES

A person to whom the direction applies commits an offence if the person fails, without reasonable excuse, to comply with the direction.

Section 362D of the Public Health Act 2005 provides:

Failure to comply with public health directions

A person to whom a public health direction applies must comply with the direction unless the person has a reasonable excuse.
Maximum penalty—100 penalty units or 6 months imprisonment.

Dr John Gerrard
Chief Health Officer
12 March 2022
Published on the Queensland Health website at 9:15 am

SCHEDULE 1 – DEFINITIONS

For the purposes of these directions:

Australia means the Commonwealth of Australia and includes the external territories of Norfolk Island, Christmas Island, Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Coral Sea Islands and Heard and McDonald Islands but excludes the Australian Antarctic Territory.

Business Profile mode means the ability for businesses to electronically register by entering customer contact details via ‘Check In Qld Business Profile mode’ listed in the profile section of the app.

Check In Qld app means the app developed by the Queensland Government for contact tracing purposes which, when used by a person, provides the Queensland Government with the person’s contact information and details of the person’s attendance at a residential aged care facility.

Note – Each person should check in individually using the Check In Qld app or have a person in their group or the facility or service check in on their behalf.

Close contact has the same meaning as in the Isolation for Diagnosed Cases of COVID-19 and Management of Close Contacts Direction (No. 3,) or its successor

Contact information means the information collected by the Check in Qld app or, if another collection method is permitted under this Direction, the name, phone number, email address, and the date and time of attendance of visitors, volunteers and students.

COVID-19 digital certificate means an electronic certificate outlining a person’s vaccination status for the COVID-19 vaccine.

COVID-19 PCR test means for a person:

1. 12 months of age or over, an oropharyngeal and deep nasal swab of a person who is 12 months of age or over, for a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test approved for use in Australia by the Therapeutic Goods Administration to detect whether a person has the COVID-19 virus.

2. under 12 months of age, a saliva swab for a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test approved for use in Australia by the Therapeutic Goods Administration to detect whether a person has the COVID-19 virus.

   Note: A COVID-19 PCR test does not include a self-test

COVID-19 RAT means a Rapid Antigen Test approved for use in Australia by the Therapeutic Goods Administration to detect whether the person has the COVID-19 virus.

COVID-19 test means a COVID-19 PCR test or a COVID-19 RAT

COVID-19 vaccine means a COVID-19 vaccine approved for use in Australia by the Therapeutic Goods Administration or endorsed by WHO-COVAX and the vaccine was obtained overseas.

COVID-19 vaccination requirements has the same meaning as in the Workers in a healthcare setting (COVID-19 Vaccination Requirements) Direction (No. 3) or its successors

COVID-19 vaccine trial means a medical trial for a COVID-19 vaccine under either the Clinical Trial Notification or Clinical Trial Approval schemes regulated by the Therapeutic Goods Administration.

COVID-19 vaccine trial participant means a person who:

1. is an active participant in a COVID-19 vaccine trial; and

2. provides a medical certificate or letter from a medical practitioner, registered under the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law (Queensland) associated with the COVID-19 vaccine trial confirming that:

   1. the person is participating in a Phase 3 or 4 COVID-19 vaccine trial; and

   2. the person  has received at least one active dose of the COVID-19 vaccine being trialled.

Diagnosed person has the same meaning as in the Isolation for Diagnosed Cases of COVID-19 and Management of Close Contacts Direction (No.4), or its successor.

Eligible health professionals means any of the following:

• fellows of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (as defined by the Health Insurance Act 1973 Cth); or

• fellows of the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (as defined by the Health Insurance Act 1973 Cth); or

• on Medicare’s Vocation Register of General Practitioners (as defined by the Health Insurance Act 1973 Cth); or

• practice registrar on an approved 3GA training placement; or

• paediatrician; or

• public health physician; or

• infectious diseases physician; or

• clinical immunologist.

Emergency officer (public health) means an emergency officer appointed under the Public Health Act 2005.
Note: Emergency officers appointed under the Public Health Act 2005 include public health officers and police.

Emergency services means a:

1. member of the Queensland Police Service, National Security, Border Patrol or the Australian Defence Force who, in the performance of official duties, is responding to an emergency, providing an emergency service, undertaking a time critical legislated regulatory or compliance function;

2. a member of the Queensland Ambulance Service, an officer of St John Ambulance Australia, or aeromedical services crew, such as RACQ Lifeflight crew, Royal Flying Doctor Service or CareFlight who, in the performance of official duties, is responding to an emergency, providing an emergency service;

3. a member of the Rural Fire Service, State Emergency Services and Fire and Rescue Service personnel who, in the performance of official duties, is responding to an emergency, providing an emergency service, undertaking a time critical legislated regulatory or compliance function;

4. a disaster management responder who, in the performance of official duties, is responding to an emergency, providing an emergency service; or

5. a union official responding to an emergent need.

End of life visit means a visit by a person for the purposes of end-of-life support for a resident.

Evidence of a recognised medical contraindication means the person has a current:

1. COVID-19 vaccine medical exemption recorded on the Australian Immunisation Register, or

2. Australian Immunisation Register (AIR) immunisation medical exemptions form completed and signed by an eligible health professional for the COVID-19 vaccine.

   Notes: some medical contraindications are temporary and therefore the record or completed form may only be valid for a period of time.

   A current completed and signed AIR immunisation medical exemption form is valid in printed or digital form.

Face mask means a flat surgical mask, P2/N95 mask or a cloth mask with three layers that covers the nose and mouth (but does not include a face shield) or other type of face mask required to be worn by a person to comply with any personal protective equipment guidelines and/or COVID safe plans for a facility or service.

Note – a scarf or bandana is not a face mask.

Fully vaccinated means a person who is 16 years of age or older has received the prescribed number of doses of a COVID-19 vaccine.

Immunisation history statement means a statement that displays all the immunisations a person has had that are on the Australian Immunisation Register.

Note: further information can be found on https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/individuals/services/medicare/australian-immunisation-register

International arrival has the same meaning as under the Quarantine for International Arrivals Directions (No. 22).

International COVID-19 Vaccination Certificate means a secure record of vaccinations for people travelling internationally that meets agreed international travel standards.

Note: further information can be found on:

https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/individuals/subjects/getting-help-during-coronavirus-covid-19/covid-19-vaccinations/what-types-proof-there-are/international-covid-19-vaccination-certificate-proof

Isolate or Isolating or isolation has the same meaning as under the Isolation for Diagnosed Cases of COVID-19 and Management of Close Contacts Direction (No.5) or its successor.

Medical contraindication means a person has a current:

1. COVID-19 vaccine medical exemption recorded on the Australian Immunisation Register or

2. Australian Immunisation Register (AIR) immunisation medical exemptions form completed and signed by an eligible health professional for the COVID-19 vaccine.

Notes: some medical contraindications are temporary and therefore the record or completed form may only be valid for a period of time.

A current completed and signed AIR immunisation medical exemption form is valid in printed or digital form.

Operator of a residential aged care facility means a person who owns, controls or operates a residential aged care facility and includes the Health Service Chief Executive of a Queensland Health residential aged care facility.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) means the relevant personal protective equipment referred to in Queensland Health’s Residential Aged Care Facility and Disability Accommodation PPE Guidance.

Physical distancing includes remaining at least 1.5 metres away from other persons where possible.

Post-isolation period means the period following end of isolation within which a diagnosed person is not permitted to enter a hospital, as specified in the Isolation for Diagnosed Cases of COVID-19 and Management of Close Contacts Direction (No. 5) or its successor.

Post-quarantine period means the period following end of quarantine within which a close contact is not permitted to enter or remain at a hospital, as specified in the Isolation for Diagnosed Cases of COVID-19 and Management of Close Contacts Direction (No. 5) or its successor.

Proof of COVID-19 vaccination means evidence provided as outlined in Part 3 that verifies a person is fully vaccinated against COVID-19

Note: a person who provides evidence of a recognised medical contraindication or is a COVID-19 vaccine trial participant is treated as if they are fully vaccinated.

Public health officer includes an emergency officer (general), a contact tracing officer or an authorised person under section 377 of the Public Health Act 2005.

Quarantine has the same meaning as under the Isolation for Diagnosed Cases of COVID-19 and Management of Close Contacts Direction (No.5) or its successor.

Queensland Health residential aged care facility means the following Queensland Health facilities and for a multi-purpose health service, means the aged care portion in which accommodation, and personal or nursing care or both, are provided to a person in respect of whom a residential care subsidy or a flexible care subsidy is payable under the Aged Care Act 1997 of the Commonwealth, or funding is provided under the Commonwealth Government National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Flexible Aged Care Program or Multi-Purpose Services Program:

Residential Aged Care Facility and Disability Accommodation PPE Guidance means the Queensland Health document Pandemic Response Guidance: Personal protective equipment in Residential Aged Care and Disability accommodation services [Personal protective equipment in Residential Aged Care and Disability accommodation services ], or its successor.

Residential aged care facility means a facility, including a Queensland Health residential aged care facility, at which accommodation, and personal care or nursing care or both, are provided to a person in respect of whom a residential care subsidy or a flexible care subsidy is payable under the Aged Care Act 1997 of the Commonwealth, or funding is provided under the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Flexible Aged Care Program.

Resident of a residential aged care facility means a person who ordinarily resides at the facility.

Requirements for collection and storage means:

1. securely storing contact information and not using it for any other purpose, other than for contact tracing; and

2. deleting the information after not less than 30 days and not more than 56 days.

Student means a student who:

1. in connection with an enrolled course of study, is undertaking a placement under the supervision of an employee or contractor at the residential aged care facility; or

2. is entering the facility as part of a placement in connection with an enrolled course of study.

   Example for paragraph (b): a paramedical student.

Support person means a family member, friend or carer that is visiting the residential aged care facility on behalf of, or to support, a resident or a prospective resident of the facility.

Surveillance testing obligation means a requirement under a Public Health Direction or Protocol approved by the Chief Health Officer for a person to be routinely tested for COVID-19, who does not have symptoms consistent with COVID-19 and is not required to self-isolate while awaiting a test result unless there is another lawful reason for them to isolate.

Symptoms consistent with COVID-19 means fever or history of fever, symptoms of acute respiratory infection (cough, shortness of breath, sore throat), loss of smell, loss of taste, runny nose, diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting or fatigue.

Unvaccinated means the person has not received the prescribed number of doses of a COVID-19 vaccine.

Up-to-date vaccination status means either:

• Prior to 31 March 2022, a person who is fully vaccinated; or

• From 31 March 2022 a person who is 16 years or older who has received a COVID-19 vaccine booster dose during the period from 3 to 6 months after being fully vaccinated, and continues to receive booster doses within the recommended dosing interval.

Vaccinated Student means a student who has an up-to-date vaccination status.

Visitor means a person who is entering the residential aged care facility for the purpose of collecting, visiting or providing support to a resident of the residential aged care facility, but does not include:

1. a resident of a residential aged care facility;

2. an employee of the residential aged care facility, whether paid or not;

3. a person who is a worker in a healthcare setting under the Workers in a healthcare setting (COVID-19 Vaccination Requirements) Direction (No. 3) or its successor;

4. a contractor who is providing goods or services that are necessary for the effective operation of the shared disability accommodation service, whether the goods are provided for consideration or on a voluntary basis;

5. a contractor who is providing health, medical, pathology or pharmaceutical services to a resident of the shared disability accommodation service, whether the goods or services are provided for consideration or on a voluntary basis;

6. a contractor providing construction, repair, or maintenance services on an unscheduled or intermittent basis;

7. emergency services staff;

8. a student;

9. a person undertaking a legislated, regulatory, or compliance function;

10. union official undertaking official duties in response to an emergent need;

11. a person, permitted by the operator of the residential aged care facility, to maintain continuity of care for a patient that cannot be delivered by electronic or non-contact means.

Volunteer means a person who enters the residential aged care facility to provide products or services on a voluntary basis, as part of their role with an organisation other than the residential aged care facility.