As a precaution, NSW Ministry of Health is now advising providers of residential and in home support to prepare for all staff to start wearing surgical masksas of next week when in the facility or delivering services. 

This change of advice is in anticipation of restrictions on community gatherings easing and therefore the potential increase in community transmission of the virus. Lower numbers of people coming forward for testing also means there is an increased risk of undetected cases in the community.

The advice requiring staff of relevant disability service providers to wear masks will be reviewed by the NSW Ministry of Health weekly.

For questions or additional advice please contact your local Public Health Unit on 1300 066 055 or MOH-NDIS@health.nsw.gov.au.

Information for providers and people with disability, including the correct use of PPE, is available on the NSW Health website.  Free or subsidised infection control training is available from the NSW Government. 

Members are reminded that NDS has partnered with a number of PPE providers who have PPE at negotiated discount prices.