Visitors during an outbreak in aged care

Visits still matter

Contact with family and friends is important for residents' wellbeing, and long lockdowns caused real harm. Current aged care guidance expects services to keep residents connected during an outbreak while controlling the spread of infection, rather than closing the doors entirely.

What usually changes

The exact arrangements depend on your service's outbreak management plan and any advice from the local public health unit. Common measures include:

• Signage at entrances explaining that there is an outbreak.
• Screening visitors for symptoms and asking unwell people not to visit.
• Asking visitors to clean their hands on arrival and when leaving.
• Providing masks or other PPE, with instructions on how to use them.
• Visiting only the resident's room, and not common areas or other residents.
• Limits on numbers or times in affected areas, while still allowing essential visits such as end-of-life visits.

How staff can help

• Greet visitors and explain the arrangements calmly.
• Show them how to put on and take off a mask and gown if they need to wear one.
• Remind them to clean their hands before and after the visit.
• Pass on questions you can't answer to the manager or IPC Lead.

If a visitor is unwell

Politely ask them to postpone and suggest a phone or video call instead. If a visitor insists or needs an essential visit, involve the person in charge.

Your part

Follow the outbreak plan yourself — the same hand hygiene, PPE and room rules apply to staff. Visitors take their lead from what they see you do.