The organisation closed facilities to all visitors last week — except in the case of visiting a loved one for end-of-life care — in response to the Shepparton COVID-19 outbreak.
“We did so to protect our residents and to reduce the risk to them and to the community,” Shepparton Villages chief executive Veronica Jamison said.
“The situation in Shepparton is beginning to stabilise, and as such we can now take steps to resume strictly managed visits to our facilities.”
Ms Jamison said the organisation would resume visits in accordance with Department of Health and Human Services care directives from Monday, October 26.
This means two members from one household will be allowed to visit their loved one in their room for up to two hours, provided they make a booking.
Children under the age of 16 will also be permitted, providing they are from the same household and are counted as one of the two permitted visitors.
“We cannot allow any more than two people as all visits are conducted in the resident’s room and as such are subject to the density quotient for that space,” Ms Jamison said.
“One resident and two family visitors are the permitted numbers for the size of our residential care rooms.”
Bookings for visits must be made on the numbers provided to the listed family representative.
Shepparton Villages asked family members to liaise with each other as the organisation is unable to send communications to all family members.
Ms Jamison thanked the Shepparton Villages community for its support and patience.
“We have taken all reasonable steps to protect residents and reduce risk for them,” she said.
“We need the rest of the community to do their bit, as we don't want residents’ health and wellbeing to be compromised in any shape or form.”
As Victoria is still under a State of Emergency until November 8, visits to care facilities will remain in line with care directives defined by the Department of Health and Human Services.
These are subject to change and Shepparton Villages said it would advise of any updates.
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