Coronavirus Update: Aged Care Homes

Dear Residents, Families and Representatives of mecwacare Aged Care Homes – 9 January 2024

When you visit a residential aged care home you may need to: be screened before entering, including taking a RAT test, wearing a face mask, and washing your hands before entering and when leaving a resident’s room.

Please speak to the relevant facility for visitor arrangements prior to your visit. Contact information for mecwacare aged care homes can be found here: Contact Us – mecwacare

More information

For the latest advice on restrictions, how to stay safe and other COVID-19 resources, please visit the Department of Health’s website at www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/coronavirus.

Please do not attend any of our homes if you are unwell for any reason or you have had contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19.


Dear Residents, Families and Representatives of mecwacare Aged Care Homes – 29 April 2022

As there is still significant community transmission of COVID-19, it is timely to remind you about our current visiting arrangements.

Visitors to mecwacare homes are required to wear an N95 mask at all times. This is for the safety of our vulnerable residents and care teams.

Please note the following visitor arrangements:

  • You must undertake a rapid antigen test before you will be permitted inside the home. Please allow an extra 10-15 minutes for this. If the test is negative you will be allowed to visit. If the test is positive, you will be refused entry.
  • Maximum of five visitors per day per resident for any reason.
  • In-room maximum of two visitors plus the resident. If there are more visitors, you need to utilise the outside areas (with the exception of palliative care visits).
  • Proof of vaccination rules apply to all family, friends and acquaintances who visit mecwacare homes. You are still required to have your temperature checked, sign the attestation and check in using the government’s QR code. N95 face masks must be worn at all times.
  • Private carers are only allowed a maximum of one client within the home or on outings, particularly while there is such high community transmission.

If you are not fully vaccinated and/or you refuse to show proof of vaccination:

  • Visits may only occur between 9am and 5pm Monday to Friday
  • You must undertake a rapid antigen test before you will be permitted inside the home. Please allow an extra 10-15 minutes for this. If the test is negative you will be allowed to visit. If the test is positive, you will be refused entry.
  • N95 face masks and clear face shields must be worn at all times
  • Visits must occur in the resident’s room or outdoors – no communal areas.

This applies to anyone who has not yet had a COVID-19 vaccine or it has been less than three weeks since your most recent dose of the vaccine.

Our staff will continue to undertake a rapid antigen test before every shift and wear appropriate PPE at all times, including N95 masks.

These preventative measures have no doubt played a big role in reducing the number of positive cases in our homes, which is very comforting. Thank you for your ongoing cooperation and support.

If you have any questions or concerns about these arrangements, please speak to the relevant Facility Manager.

More information

For the latest advice on restrictions, how to stay safe and other COVID-19 resources, please visit the Department of Health’s website at www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/coronavirus.

Please do not attend any of our homes if you are unwell for any reason or you have had contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19.

We are still offering in-room and garden visits for families and friends, and ask that you please continue to book ahead (using the link above). This will assist us to ensure staff are available to help you sign in and undertake a rapid antigen test.

Stay safe.


Dear Residents, Families and Representatives of mecwacare Aged Care Homes – 1 April 2022

As the pandemic continues to evolve with the emergence of yet another variant, we thought it was timely to remind you to please remain vigilant.

Visitors to mecwacare homes are required to wear a mask at all times. This is for the safety of our vulnerable residents and care teams.

Our staff will continue to undertake a rapid antigen test before every shift and wear appropriate PPE at all times, including N95 masks.

These preventative measures have no doubt played a big role in reducing the number of positive cases in our homes, which is very comforting. Thank you for your ongoing cooperation and support.

We are still offering in-room and garden visits for families and friends, and ask that you please continue to book ahead (using the link below). This will assist us to ensure staff are available to help you sign in and undertake a rapid antigen test.

Book a visit here

As always, if you feel unwell for any reason, please refrain from visiting or consider a video or phone call.

We also ask that you reconsider visits during meal times unless by prior arrangement with managers. Visitors are not permitted in communal areas, including dining rooms, and it can be disruptive to your loved one and their fellow residents when they have to leave the area mid-meal.

Daily COVID-19 case numbers have increased dramatically over the past few weeks. While you are able to take residents out into the community, we strongly recommend you reconsider this. If you do go out, please avoid crowded areas where social distancing is not possible and consider wearing a mask as a precaution.

A reminder also that all visitors must be fully vaccinated.

If you have any questions or concerns, please speak to the relevant facility manager.

We ask that you share this information with family members who may not be on the contact list and any friends or acquaintances who visit loved ones in our homes.

Take care


Dear Residents, Families and Representatives of mecwacare Aged Care Homes – March 2022

We will continue to maintain a cautious approach to keeping our vulnerable residents safe – as we have done throughout the pandemic.

It has been wonderful to see so many mecwacare families and friends reunited as we navigate our way through this period of transition.

In line with the government’s current regulations, we are pleased to advise you of the following visitor arrangements:

  • Maximum of five visitors per day per resident for any reason.
  • In room maximum of two visitors plus the resident. If there are more visitors they need to be in the outside areas (with the exception of palliative care visits).
  • No visitors are allowed in the communal areas.
  • Proof of vaccination rules apply to all family, friends and acquaintances who visit mecwacare homes. You are still required to have your temperature checked, sign the attestation and check in using the government’s QR code. N95 face masks must be worn at all times
  • Visits must occur in the resident’s room or outdoors – no communal areas as noted above
  • Bookings are essential. Click on the following link: Book a Visit
  • Private Carers are only allowed a maximum of one client within the facility or on outings, particularly whilst there is such high community transmission.

If you are not fully vaccinated and/or you refuse to show proof of vaccination:

  • Visits may only occur between 9am and 5pm Monday to Friday
  • You must undertake a rapid antigen test before you will be permitted inside the home. Please allow an extra 10-15 minutes for this. If the test is negative you will be allowed to visit. If the test is positive, you will be refused entry.
  • N95 face masks and clear face shields must be worn at all times
  • Visits must occur in the resident’s room or outdoors – no communal areas.

This applies to anyone who has not yet had a COVID-19 vaccine or it has been less than three weeks since the second dose.

If you have any questions or concerns about these arrangements, please speak to the relevant Facility Manager.

More information

For the latest advice on restrictions,  how to stay safe and other COVID-19 resources, please visit the Department of Health’s website at www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/coronavirus.

Please continue to share this information with family members who may not be on the contact list and any friends or acquaintances who visit loved ones in our homes.

And please do not attend any of our homes if you are unwell for any reason or you have had contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19.

We are so incredibly proud of the mecwacare team and the way in which they have continued to provide exceptional and safe care to our special residents.

Thank you for your continued support and understanding throughout the past 20 months. We have had to make some very tough decisions that have not always been popular, but your loved ones’ health and safety has continually been our number one priority.

We have taken these measures to protect all of the people in our facilities, not just your mother, father or friend. Please keep this in mind.

We hope you enjoy this special time with your family and friends.

Take care.

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