Recently we posted two articles regarding legislation implemented in response to COVID-19:
- COVID-19 Ministerial exemptions under the NSW Retirement Villages Act (Ministerial Exemptions); and
- COVID-19: AHPPC, Aged Care Directive and Industry Access code update, Emergency Leave and the Serious Incident Response Scheme (Emergency Leave Determination).
Both the Ministerial Exemptions and the Emergency Leave Determination have now been extended.
Extension of the Ministerial Exemptions
All six of the Ministerial Exemption orders have now been extended to 26 March 2021. The orders exempt operators from various requirements, for example in relation to varying services at the village and complying with meeting requirements.
Extension of the Emergency Leave Determination
The Emergency Leave Determination was due to expire on 30 September 2020. It has now been extended to 30 June 2021. This means residents may continue to take emergency leave due to COVID-19 until 30 June 2021 without using their social leave entitlements.
Aged Care Providers and Retirement Village Operators alike should keep the above dates in mind when considering the implications of either the Emergency Leave Determination or the Ministerial Exemptions.
If you have any questions about the Ministerial Exemptions or Emergency Leave Determination, please contact a member of our national Health, Aged Care and Retirement Villages team.