Coronavirus: federal govt splashes $205m to keep aged care homes open for visitors

The national cabinet has released a draft visitor access code, which is open for comment until May 11, to ensure families and carers can visit residents in nursing homes.

"Importantly, it not only contemplates visitation for those who are at end of life ... but also those who have had a long history of visitation, working with their loved ones, going in for meals, helping the aged care facility to support their relatives," Aged Care Minister Richard Colbeck said on Friday.

This reflects the medical advice that has guided limits on visitors so far.

Providers will receive $900 per occupied bed under the new funding package, with regional centres offered $1350 per resident due to typically higher costs.

The one-off payment recognises the extra costs facilities face in screening staff and visitors as they arrive at the aged care homes plus the increased cost of other items such as protective equipment.

"They are screening staff everyday as they come and go from their shifts, particularly as they come in, so that we don't get COVID-19 into the facility," Mr Colbeck said.

"They will be screening visitors as they come into the facilities...they've suffered additional costs in things like personal protective equipment because it's been so rare and prices have gone up."

Senator Colbeck commended the sector for its speedy work in drawing up the code, after the national cabinet noted concerns last Friday that some providers had gone much further than recommended in locking down their facilities.

The draft visitor access code has been developed to facilitate communication between residents and family and minimise the risk of bringing COVID-19 into an aged care home.

Under the code backed by peak bodies in aged care, visitors to the facility must not have any flu-like or COVID-19 symptoms and need to show proof of an up-to-date flu vaccination.

They can only stay for short periods unless a regular visitor assisting with care or the resident is dying or in their final weeks.

Visitors must also comply with necessary health measures at individual centres which could be to wear protective equipment, having their temperature checked or remaining in a designated area throughout the visit.

Parcels and gifts can be delivered to the facility and regular access to electronic communication must be facilitated. If there is an outbreak of COVID-19 the facility must go into full lockdown.

Residents can use public spaces in their facility if there is no outbreak but social distancing measures must be adhered to. The code also notes providers should vary their response depending on the risks posed by COVID-19 in their community.

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So far, 23 nursing homes around Australia have had coronavirus outbreaks, with 15 cleared. Mr Colbeck said this was a "great result".

Apart from a couple of notable examples, most only had two or three cases.

The Newmarch House aged care home in western Sydney has seen 13 residents die from the virus.

Nearly 60 people - 22 staff and 37 residents - at the nursing home near Penrith have tested positive since the outbreak on April 11.

Mr Colbeck commended Sydney's Dorothy Henderson lodge which had one of the first outbreaks in an aged care facility in Australia. He said the centre is now coronavirus free.

- With AAP

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