COVID-19 News

CEO update to MCT ILU's Residents
11 May, 2020

Dear valued community members of Masonic Care Tasmania (MCT) villages,

I wanted to take this opportunity to thank you again for your support in taking active measures to protect the health, safety and wellbeing of our community against COVID-19.

Roadmap to recovery
Masonic Care Tasmania continues to be directed by the Tasmanian Government regarding the latest health advice. As you may be aware, Tasmania has a staged plan for lifting restrictions that has been developed specifically for Tasmania, in line with our situation and our community. The changes are gradual, with careful monitoring of each stage to ensure our safeguards are working in reducing the risk of outbreaks and enabling health authorities to respond if needed. It is important to be aware of what rules are in place in our State. Read the Tasmanian Roadmap to Recovery (https://coronavirus.tas.gov.au/families-community/roadmap-to-recovery).

Effective 11 May 2020, the Premier has directed that the restrictions relating to residential aged care facilities will be eased to allow for the introduction of a limited program of visiting times for residents and families. These restrictions will remain in place for a further two-week period.

Effective 18 May 2020, and subject to Public Health advice, community facilities and libraries will be allowed to re-open for up to 10 people. Therefore, we anticipate that the community centres and libraries at Anchorage Village Hobart and the Launceston and Exeter Villages will re-open on 18 May 2020. Please note that signs will be posted to ensure that we all comply with social distancing requirements. Given its location, the community area and library within Freemasons Home will remain closed subject to the restrictions pertaining to aged care facilities.

We need your assistance and support to enable this to be implemented successfully. We will continue to monitor and review Government Guidelines and will update you accordingly.

Mandatory flu vaccinations
Protection is our best defense against this virus, and there are things that we can all do to help stop the spread. This includes having the influenza vaccination.
From 1 May 2020, all staff and visitors to residential aged care facilities must have been vaccinated against seasonal influenza to enter an aged care facility. To meet the Federal Government’s audit for this directive we will be seeking appropriate evidence of immunisation status from everyone wishing to visit residents in our aged care facilities.

Appropriate evidence may be a statement or record from a health practitioner; or an immunisation history statement available from Medicare online or the Express Plus Medicare mobile app.

While MCT works through the arrangements to introduce a limited program of visiting times for residents and families from 11 May 2020, I encourage you to present your vaccination evidence via email at visitors@mctas.org.au to minimise any delays.

We are here for you.
Please remember, if you are impacted by the virus or have any other concerns, we are here to help. If you require any additional assistance at this time, please let your village manager know so that we can ensure you have all the support you need.

And please, keep us updated should your personal circumstances change, or should you have any questions or concerns at all. You are not alone, we are all in this together, and MCT is here to help.

Kind regards,

Jackie Howard
Chief Executive Officer
Masonic Care Tasmania

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