The Chief Health Officer has today approved Directions to ensure that any person working at a Residential Aged Care Facility (RACF) must have received at least one dose of an approved COVID-19 vaccination.
This advice aligns Western Australia with the Commonwealth position agreed by the National Cabinet and is based on advice from the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC).
The Direction applies to any person working at the facility including facility workers, administrative staff, ancillary staff, all visiting health care workers (including doctors, allied health and ambulance staff), students and volunteers.
These workers must receive this first vaccine on or before 12.01am on 17 September 2021.
RACF workers are required to provide evidence that they have been vaccinated to their employer, who must keep a record of this. This record must be available for inspection on request by an emergency officer, appointed under the Public Health Act 2016.
An exemption is provided for those persons who need to enter a RACF for the purposes of law enforcement, pursuing a statutory duty arising under a Commonwealth law, performing a function under a Fair Work entry permit or responding to an emergency in a capacity other than as an ambulance officer.
Family members and friends of residents and ad hoc volunteers or service providers are not required to be vaccinated, although vaccination for any person eligible is strongly recommended. Doing so will protect you, your family and the community.
Learn about the facts of COVID-19 vaccination on the HealthyWA website (external site).
(ENDS)
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