COVID-19 Response
Hartley’s Crisis Management Team (CMT) is continually reviewing our COVID Response Plan. The nature of COVID-19 means that we must remain flexible and readily able to respond to the changing circumstances of the pandemic.
All Hartley Clients that can recieve the COVID-19 Vaccine are now fully vaccinated with all current now up to date with current vaccination requirements.
Please refer to this page for the latest news, updates and information regarding Hartley's response to the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Key Updates
COVID-19 Vaccination
On the 20th of October 2021, the ACT Government mandated the COVID-19 vaccination for all disability support workers.
The key point is that disability support workers will be required to provide evidence to their employer of vaccination as follows: A minimum first dose of a Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) approved COVID-19 vaccine by no later than 1 November 2021; and A second dose of a TGA approved COVID-19 vaccine by no later than 29 November 2021.
Hartley continues to ensure that all our staff are meeting this vaccine mandate and encouraging all stakeholders to get vaccinated where possible.
More details about the vaccine mandate can be found by clicking the button below.
Exposure to COVID-19
Please note, Hartley has developed a useful interactive tool that is updated daily by the CMT. This tool provides some advice about what to do when exposed to COVID-19. Access by clicking the button below. Also available is the COVID-19 Positive - Risk of Exposure Matrix and associated information.
Potential Exposure
ViewExposure Categories
As the number of people with COVID-19 increases, ACT Health is focusing on contacting people at the highest risk of getting COVID-19.
People who have tested positive to COVID-19 are required to tell the people they live with that they have tested positive for COVID-19.
They should also tell their workplace and social contacts.
They should notify any of these people if they spent time with them from the 2 days before they started having symptoms or tested positive (whichever came first) that they are at high risk of getting COVID-19.
If you are told by someone with COVID-19 that you may have been exposed to the virus, use the advice below to understand your risk and what you can do to protect yourself and others.
Who is at risk of being infected with COVID-19?
The risk of infection increases:
- if you live with someone who has COVID-19 (household contact)
- if you spent a long time with someone who has COVID-19, and interacted closely with them (for example, you stayed overnight at their house)
- if you were indoors with someone who has COVID-19 (the risk is lower if you were outdoors)
- if you or the person with COVID-19 were not wearing face masks (the risk is lower if you were both wearing a face mask)
How long am I at risk for?
After being exposed to someone with COVID-19, you are at risk of developing it for 14 days.
About 3 in 4 people who develop COVID-19 will do so in the first 7 days after they are exposed.
However, about 1 in 4 people still develop COVID-19 between day 7 and 14.
How do I know if I have been exposed to COVID-19?
There are several ways you could find out that you have been exposed to COVID-19.
These include:
- being told by someone who has COVID-19
- being told by your workplace
- receiving a notification via your Check In CBR app
- by checking the exposure locations
- being contacted by ACT Health via phone or text message
What should I do if I have been exposed to COVID-19?
The table found by clicking the button below can help to identify who is at greatest risk of COVID-19, and what to do if you have been exposed to COVID-19.
If you have tested positive for COVID, please see people who have tested positive to COVID-19.
Remember, if you have any COVID-19 symptoms, get a PCR test immediately and isolate until a negative result is received
If you take a rapid antigen test and the result is positive, you will need to get a PCR test to confirm you have COVID-19 and remain in quarantine until a negative result is received.
Frequently Asked Questions
Below are some FAQ's that we have been receiving regarding the Omricon Variant. We will be circulating more FAQ's as we receive them from staff.
Please note, Hartley has developed a useful interactive tool that is updated daily by the CMT. This tool provides some advice about what to do when exposed to COVID-19. Access by clicking the button below. Also available is the COVID-19 Positive - Risk of Exposure Matrix and associated information.
WHAT TO DO WHEN EXPOSED TO COVID-19
TESTING POSITIVE TO COVID-19
Q: What do I do if I have tested positive to COVID-19?
Isolate immediately and do not attend any Hartley Facilities.
Inform your manager of your test results and fill out the Hartley COVID-19 Exposure Form.
If you test positive for COVID-19 with a PCR test, you will be contacted by ACT Health via phone or text.
If you test positive for COVID-19 with a Rapid Antigen Test (RAT), please register with ACT Health using their online form.
Registering with ACT Health will mean you can access care and advice appropriate to you.
Q: What are my isolation requirements?
You are not allowed to return to work for 10 days after testing positive. You will also be required to:
- Isolate for 7 days in line with ACT Health advice.
- If you have recovered from COVID-19 and have been cleared from isolation (Day 7), you should not visit high-risk settings (Hartley Facilities) until 3 days after your date of clearance and symptoms have gone.
Q: What are my testing requirements once I test positive?
In general, no further COVID-19 tests will be required to release you from isolation.
A small number of very immunocompromised people may be required to have repeat tests if they are currently receiving care in, or patients in, high-risk settings.
This will be discussed with you by ACT Health after your diagnosis where relevant.
Q: Do I have to take leave?
Refer to When you cannot attend work due to COVID
COVID-19 POSITIVE STAFF MEMBER RETURNING TO WORK
Q: When can I come back to work after testing positive?
You are not allowed to return to work for 10 days after testing positive.
Staff members who have recovered from COVID-19 and have been cleared from isolation and received their clearance certificate from ACT Health should not visit high-risk settings (Hartley Facilities) until 3 days after their date of clearance and symptoms have gone.
Upon return, the staff member should wear full PPE while on shift from days 11 to 14 from their positive.
Q: What do I do if I have recovered but I live with someone who has COVID-19?
If there is still someone in your household who has COVID-19, you can leave the house, however please:
- separate from other people with COVID-19 in the household, as far as possible (for example sleep in a different bedroom if you are able to).
- observe hand hygiene, mask wearing and social distancing as per public health advice.
- you can’t return to work until the final person in your household is cleared from isolation.
Q: What do I do if I have recovered but I live with someone who has been exposed to COVID-19?
Staff who live with someone who is in quarantine as a household or high risk (close) contact should not visit a Hartley Facilities until the person in their household has been released from isolation.
If the staff member is a recovered case who has an active case in their household then a risk assessment regarding return to work may also take into account if the staff member is able to separate from the active case.
EXPOSED TO COVID-19
Q: What do I do if I have been exposed to COVID-19?
Please utilize the Hartley “COVID-19 What to do when exposed” Tool found here.
Q: I have symptoms but have tested negative, what should I do?
If you have any symptoms you must stay home and not attend any Hartley Facilities.
PPE – PROTECTIVE PERSONAL EQUIPMENT
Q: Why am I required to wear N95 masks while on shift?
These measures will promote an environment where the risk of exposure to the virus is low. This will therefore minimise the chances of staff, clients and visitors being exposed to the virus and having to isolate as a result.
Q: What if I am uncomfortable wearing PPE due to medical reasons ?
You will need to discuss this with your Supervisor so we can conduct an individual risk assessment and establish other ways to mitigate your exposure risk and keep everyone safe.
Q: Do visitors have to wear PPE?
We have requested all visitors to wear N95 masks and goggles. Having said this, If visitors to a house are uncomfortable wearing eye protection and an N95 masks, we ask that you arrange their catch up in an outdoor setting while maintaining social distancing where possible.
Q: What if a client has negative reaction to staff and visitors wearing PPE?
Managers will work with staff and the client to conduct an individual risk assessment and establish other ways to mitigate the exposure risk.
