Bupa NZ Covid Alert Level Updates

31 March 2021 - COVID-19 Vaccinations in Bupa Care Homes

Dear Residents and Relatives,

Our Clinical Services Team is currently working with the District Health Boards (DHBs) to gather the necessary information needed to roll-out COVID-19 vaccinations at our Care Homes.

Each DHB is working on a plan for their region, with many signalling that vaccinations will start in aged care facilities from mid-April and into May.

The COVID-19 vaccination is currently not mandatory, but we are strongly encouraging all Bupa employees and residents to be vaccinated.

To help you make an informed decision, we recommend you discuss the COVID-19 vaccination with your family/ whānau or your General Practitioner. For your reference, the vaccination consent form is attached.

Please note, we must have all consent forms completed before the COVID-19 vaccinations are conducted at our home. Even if you, or your loved one, chooses not to have the COVID-19 vaccination, we will still need you to complete the COVID-19 vaccination consent form and clearly state by the ‘Declaration’ section that you are not consenting to receive the vaccine.

If you, or your loved one, chooses to have the vaccination, but you become unwell, you may need to be vaccinated at a later time.

If you would like more details about the COVID-19 vaccine you may find the following websites helpful:

• https://covid19.govt.nz/health-and-wellbeing/covid-19-vaccines/
• https://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/diseases-and-conditions/covid-19-novel-coronavirus/covid-19-vaccines

Here is a link to a short video that Clinical Services Director Katherine Foulkes recorded that may answer some of your questions. It can also be found on the Bupa.co.nz website.

12 March 2021 - information sent to care home residents, families, and rehabilitation clients in Auckland

Dear residents, clients and whānau,

The move to COVID-19 Alert Level 1 announced by the Government today marks a significant and welcome step forward for Aucklanders.

The points outlined below come into effect from midday today.

Updated visitor guidelines

At Alert Level 1 most restrictions are removed and there is no requirement for physical distancing. The following guidelines are still in place:

• We continue to ask that you do not visit if you feel at all unwell, e.g. have a temperature or have any gastro / cold / flu symptoms.
• Entry to the facility must continue to be through the main reception.
• You will be required to sanitise your hands on arrival.
• All visitors must sign in via the EVA Visitor Registration App at reception, or on the paper-based Contact Tracing Spreadsheet. As part of this, all visitors must read and agree to a Health Declaration and Privacy Statement.

• You will no longer be required to wear a mask while moving through the facility.

• Residents and clients can have the option to take a Contact Tracing Form when leaving the facility to visit family and whānau, for completion while out.

Thank you again for understanding and for helping us maintain the safest possible environment for your loved ones in our home.

12 March 2021 - information sent to retirement village residents in Auckland

Dear Resident,

The move to COVID-19 Alert Level 1 announced by the Government today marks a significant and welcome step forward for Aucklanders.

From midday today, all Bupa Retirement Villages will return to normal at Alert Level 1, however contact tracing will remain in place for all external visitors.

The Government advice that remains in place is:

• If you’re sick, stay home. Do not socialise.

• Practice good hygiene measures, including washing your hands, coughing or sneezing into your elbow and cleaning surfaces.

• Keep track of where you’ve been and who you’ve seen.

Thank you for your ongoing understanding and kindness to your fellow residents and our team as we navigate the continuing COVID-19 alert level restrictions together.

05 March 2021 - information sent to care home residents, families, and rehabilitation clients in Auckland under Alert Level 2 from 6am Sunday. 

Dear Care Home residents, Rehab clients and whānau

The Prime Minister announced this afternoon that Auckland is moving down to Alert Level 2, and the rest of New Zealand to Alert Level 1, from 6am Sunday 7^th March.

For all Bupa facilities in Auckland now under Alert Level 2, visitors are again welcome during specified visiting hours, and mask wearing for visitors is effective immediately.

Important points:

1. Masks - Visitors must wear a mask, either their own or one we provide for them.
2. Visiting hours are between 10am – 5pm
3. No children under 12 to visit at this time
4. Day-Care: In Alert Level 2, day care services are suspended. We will be able to resume day care services when Auckland is in Alert Level 1. Please remember our residents are in their “care home bubble” and we are doing everything we can to keep them safe from any potential outside infection source.

The points below remain in place at ALL of our Bupa facilities:

• We continue to ask that you do not visit if you feel at all unwell, e.g. have a temperature or have any gastro / cold / flu symptoms.
• Entry into our facilities must be through the main reception and you will be required to sanitise your hands on arrival.

• All visitors must sign in via the EVA Visitor Registration App at reception, or on the paper-based Contact Tracing Spreadsheet. As part of this, all visitors must read and agree to a Health Declaration and Privacy Statement.

• Residents have the option to take a Contact Tracing Form when leaving our facilities to visit family and whānau, for completion while out. We also strongly encourage them to use the NZ COVID Tracer QR code for each location they visit.

The Ministry of Health will next provide an update on these current Alert Levels at the end of next week. After this time, we will review our guidance and be in touch with you if the above changes in any way. Thank you again for your understanding and for helping us maintain the safest possible environment for your loved ones in our care.

05 March 2021 - information sent to retirement village residents in Auckland under Alert Level 2 from 6am Sunday. 

Dear Residents,

The move to COVID-19 Alert Level 2 announced by the Government from 6am Sunday 7^th March marks a significant and welcome step for those of us in Auckland.

As you would expect, this move down alert levels again has implications for the measures in place at our Bupa Retirement Villages and how we go about our day to day lives.

From 6am Sunday 7^th March the below guidance applies to visiting a Bupa Retirement Village in Alert Level 2 regions:

• Communal areas are now open again, but as an extra precaution please observe personal hygiene and physical distancing.

• Visitors can now visit using communal spaces.

• Van outings and meal service now resume.

• Respite, day care and wellness clinics are now open.

• We continue to ask that people do not visit if they feel at all unwell, e.g. have a temperature or have any gastro / cold / flu symptoms.
• Entry into our facilities must be through the main reception and visitors are required to sanitise their hands-on arrival.

• All visitors must sign in via the EVA Visitor Registration App at reception, or on the paper-based Contact Tracing Spreadsheet. As part of this, all visitors must read and agree to a Health Declaration and Privacy Statement.

• At Level 2 all visitors to our Care Homes are required to wear masks and to visit during the hours of 10am-5pm. If you wish to visit someone within the Care Home, please either bring your own mask or we will provide one if you do not have one. We also cannot permit children under 12 to visit at this time.

The rules that apply to the general public also apply to village residents, however we ask that you apply extra caution wherever you can. All Level 2 Government guidance can be found at covid19.govt.nz

The Government will review these current Alert Levels at the end of next week and we will update you accordingly.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. Thank you for your ongoing support.

05 March 2021 - information sent to care home residents, families, and rehabilitation clients in New Zealand (outside of Auckland) under Alert Level 1 from 6am Sunday.

Dear residents, clients and whānau,

The move to COVID-19 Alert Level 1 announced by the Government today marks a significant and welcome step forward for those outside of Auckland.

The points outlined below come into effect from 6am Sunday 7^th March.

Updated visitor guidelines

At Alert Level 1 most restrictions are removed and there is no requirement for physical distancing. The following guidelines are still in place:

• We continue to ask that you do not visit if you feel at all unwell, e.g. have a temperature or have any gastro / cold / flu symptoms.
• Entry to the facility must continue to be through the main reception.
• You will be required to sanitise your hands on arrival.
• All visitors must sign in via the EVA Visitor Registration App at reception, or on the paper-based Contact Tracing Spreadsheet. As part of this, all visitors must read and agree to a Health Declaration and Privacy Statement.

• You will no longer be required to wear a mask while moving through the facility.

• Residents and clients can have the option to take a Contact Tracing Form when leaving the facility to visit family and whānau, for completion while out.

Thank you again for understanding and for helping us maintain the safest possible environment for your loved ones in our facility.

05 March 2021 - information sent to retirement village residents (outside of Auckland) under Alert Level 1 from 6am Sunday. 

Dear Resident,

The move to COVID-19 Alert Level 1 announced by the Government today marks a significant and welcome step forward for those outside of Auckland.

From 6am Sunday 7^th March, all Bupa Retirement Villages outside of Auckland will return to normal at Alert Level 1, however contact tracing will remain in place for all external visitors.

The Government advice that remains in place is:

• If you’re sick, stay home. Do not socialise.

• Practice good hygiene measures, including washing your hands, coughing or sneezing into your elbow and cleaning surfaces.

• Keep track of where you’ve been and who you’ve seen.

Thank you for your ongoing understanding and kindness to your fellow residents and our team as we navigate the continuing COVID-19 alert level restrictions together.

28 February 2021 - information sent to care home residents, families, and rehabilitation clients in New Zealand (outside of Auckland) under Alert Level 2.

Dear Care Home residents, Rehab clients and whānau

Further to the change in alert levels last night (Auckland Alert Level 3, rest of New Zealand Alert level two), we wish to inform you of some important changes to visiting at our care homes outside of Auckland.

At Alert Level 2, we are still open for visiting, however for these next 7 days our proactive steps are:

• Visitor mask wearing is compulsory
• At every visit you must read and sign a declaration form that you have not been in Auckland anytime from the 1st of February until now, or someone you regularly interact with has not been in Auckland anytime from the 1st of February until now.
  • If the answer is YES then you must not visit at this time. Alternative ways for you to contact your loved one can be accessed (phone or video calling).
• Visiting hours are now between 10am – 5pm
•  No children under 12 to visit
• For visitors, where possible conduct visits in resident’s rooms, maintain 1m physical distancing, or if you can physically distance in lounges.

Please remember our residents are in their “care home bubble” and we are doing everything we can to keep them safe from any potential outside infection source. We know that these restrictions have an impact on everyone, however they are purely for our residents’ safety. We are closely following the Ministry of Health updates and will review our instructions as new information comes to hand.

The points below remain in place at ALL of our Bupa facilities:

• Do not visit if you feel at all unwell, e.g. have a temperature or have any gastro / cold / flu symptoms.
• Entry into our facilities must be through the main reception and you are required to sanitise your hands on arrival.

• All visitors must sign in via the EVA Visitor Registration App at reception, or on the paper-based Contact Tracing Spreadsheet. As part of this, all visitors must read and agree to a Health Declaration (with an additional condition as mentioned above) and Privacy Statement.

• Residents have the option to take a Contact Tracing Form when leaving our facilities to visit family and whānau, for completion while out. We also strongly encourage them to use the NZ COVID Tracer QR code for each location they visit.

Thank you again for your understanding and for your ongoing help to maintain the safest possible environment for all loved ones in our care.

27 February 2021 - information sent to care home residents, families, and rehabilitation clients in Auckland under Alert Level 3 from 6am 28 February. 

Dear Clients, Residents and Whānau,

The Prime Minister announced this evening that from 6am tomorrow, Sunday 28^th February, Auckland will be moving back up to COVID-19 Alert Level 3, and the rest of New Zealand will be moving back up to Alert Level 2. These Alert Levels will be in place for the next 7 days.

We will be closing to all external visitors across our Auckland Care Home and Rehabilitation sites for the seven-day period, commencing tomorrow, Sunday 28th February.

This decision will be reviewed once further information is released by the Ministry of Health, and we may decide to extend our closures to a wider region if necessary.

We understand this is another very sudden change which has a real impact on you, our residents and clients, and your whānau. We ask please for your understanding and help to keep everyone safe as we manage this situation together.

We know it will be disappointing to hear you are unable to visit your loved ones this week, but we want to kindly remind you that we will again be offering our residents the use of computers and phones to help families stay connected.

We are operating in alignment with Ministry of Health guidance, who are focussed on identifying and stamping out this community occurrence of COVID-19 as quickly as possible.

If you have concerns about a loved one in palliative or end-of-life care, please let me know.

If you have any questions about your situation, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Thank you for your ongoing support.

Stay safe. Kia kaha

27 February 2021 - information sent to village residents in Auckland under Alert Level 3 from 6am 28 February.

Dear Residents,

The Prime Minister announced this evening that from 6am tomorrow, Sunday 28th February, Auckland will be moving back up to COVID-19 Alert Level 3, and the rest of New Zealand will be moving back up to Alert Level 2. These Alert Levels will be in place for the next 7 days.

From 6am on Sunday 28^th February, the below guidance applies to visiting a Bupa Retirement Village in the above regions.

The rules that apply to the general public also apply to village residents, however we ask that you apply extra caution wherever you can.

• The community centre and communal areas are closed to everyone, including residents.

• External visitors are discouraged unless they are family members.
• Visitors must sign in using the contact tracing methods available – paper form and/ or App.
• Visitors are required to stay in the resident’s home and observe hygiene protocols.

• Van outings are suspended. If you require assistance with shopping, please talk to your Village Manager.

• The meal service to Village residents will be available through contactless delivery.

• Our Care Homes have been closed to visitors. This means there is to be no resident or visitor movement between Villages and Care Homes.

• The doors between the Care Home and Village will be closed.
• Respite, Day Care and Wellness Clinics are not available to Village residents at Alert Level 3.

• Please be vigilant in following the Ministry of Health guidelines which includes not congregating in large groups, not leaving the village unless for exercise or grocery shopping and continuing stringent hand hygiene.

• People should stay within their immediate bubble, including close family / whānau, caregivers, or to support isolated people.

As more information comes to hand, we will review our response and update you accordingly.

We understand this is another very sudden change which has a real impact on you and your whānau. We ask please for your understanding and help to keep everyone safe as we manage this situation together.

We are operating in alignment with Ministry of Health guidance, who are focussed on identifying and stamping out this community occurrence of COVID-19 as quickly as possible.

If you have any questions about your situation, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Thank you for your ongoing support.

Stay safe. Kia kaha

27 February 2021 - information sent care home residents, families, and rehabilitation clients (outside of Auckland) under Alert Level 2 from 6am 28 February.

Dear Care Home residents, Rehab clients and whānau

The Prime Minister has announced New Zealand (outside of Auckland) will move to Alert Level 2, from 6am Sunday 28^th February for seven days.

For all of our Bupa facilities under Alert Level 2, we are still open for visiting, however, we will be implementing visitor mask wearing.

This is a proactive step we are taking to keep our residents, clients, and teams safe. We are closely following the Ministry of Health updates and will revise our instructions as new information comes to hand during the next seven days.

• Mask wearing: We require all visitors to wear masks, so please either bring your own masks or we will provide one if you do not have one.

• The Ministry of Health have released a list of locations of interest related to these COVID-19 community cases. Please make sure you have reviewed this list, which can be found on the MoH website.

• People who have attended one of the MoH listed locations during the relevant timeframes are asked to please stay at home, get a test and wait until a negative result comes back. 

The points below remain in place at ALL of our Bupa facilities:

• We continue to ask that you do not visit if you feel at all unwell, e.g. have a temperature or have any gastro / cold / flu symptoms.
• Entry into our facilities must be through the main reception and you will be required to sanitise your hands on arrival.

• All visitors must sign in via the EVA Visitor Registration App at reception, or on the paper-based Contact Tracing Spreadsheet. As part of this, all visitors must read and agree to a Health Declaration and Privacy Statement.

• Residents have the option to take a Contact Tracing Form when leaving our facilities to visit family and whānau, for completion while out. We also strongly encourage them to use the NZ COVID Tracer QR code for each location they visit.

The Ministry of Health will review this Alert Level in the coming days and we will update you accordingly. Thank you again for your understanding and for helping us maintain the safest possible environment for your loved ones in our care.

27 February 2021 - information sent to retirement village residents (outside of Auckland) under Alert Level 2 from 6am Sunday 28 February. 

Dear Residents,

The move to COVID-19 Alert Level 2 for New Zealand (outside of Auckland) announced by the Government from 6am Sunday 28^th February, means our measures in place at our villages are increased.

From 6am Sunday 28^th February, the below guidance applies to visiting a Bupa Retirement Village in Alert Level 2 regions:

• Communal areas remain open, but as an extra precaution please observe personal hygiene and physical distancing.

• Visitors can continue to visit using communal spaces.

• Van outings and meal service will continue.

• Respite, day care and wellness clinics will continue to be open.

• We continue to ask that people do not visit if they feel at all unwell, e.g. have a temperature or have any gastro / cold / flu symptoms.
• Entry into our facilities must be through the main reception and visitors are required to sanitise their hands-on arrival.

• All visitors must sign in via the EVA Visitor Registration App at reception, or on the paper-based Contact Tracing Spreadsheet. As part of this, all visitors must read and agree to a Health Declaration and Privacy Statement.

• At Level 2 all visitors to our Care Homes are required to wear masks. If you wish to visit someone within the Care Home, please either bring your own mask or we will provide one if you do not have one.

The rules that apply to the general public also apply to village residents, however we ask that you apply extra caution wherever you can. All Alert Level 2 Government guidance can be found at covid19.govt.nz

The Government will review these current Alert Levels in the coming days and we will update you accordingly.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Thank you for your ongoing support.

Stay safe. Kia kaha

22 February 2021 - information sent to care home residents, families, and rehabilitation clients under Alert Level 1 (now Auckland)

Dear residents, clients and whānau,

The Prime Minister announced this afternoon that the Auckland region with move to COVID-19 Alert Level 1 as of midnight tonight, joining the rest of New Zealand at this Alert Level.

The points outlined below come into effect from midnight tonight.

Updated visitor guidelines

At Alert Level 1 most restrictions are removed and there is no requirement for physical distancing. The following guidelines are still in place:

• We continue to ask that you do not visit if you feel at all unwell, e.g. have a temperature or have any gastro / cold / flu symptoms.
• Entry to the facility must continue to be through the main reception.
• You will be required to sanitise your hands on arrival.
• All visitors must sign in via the EVA Visitor Registration App at reception, or on the paper-based Contact Tracing Spreadsheet. As part of this, all visitors must read and agree to a Health Declaration and Privacy Statement.

• You will no longer be required to wear a mask while moving through the facility.

• Residents and clients can have the option to take a Contact Tracing Form when leaving the facility to visit family and whānau, for completion while out.
• NOTE: At Alert Level 1 the Government requires everyone to wear a mask while using public transport, including: on long-distance bus and train journeys and most ferries and on domestic flights throughout New Zealand.

Thank you again for understanding and for helping us maintain the safest possible environment for your loved ones in our facility.

22 February 2021 - information sent to village residents under Alert Level 1 (now Auckland)

Dear Resident,

The Prime Minister announced this afternoon that the Auckland region with move to COVID-19 Alert Level 1 as of midnight tonight, joining the rest of New Zealand at this Alert Level.

This means, from midnight tonight, all Bupa Retirement Villages in Auckland will return to normal at Alert Level 1, however contact tracing will remain in place for all external visitors.

The Government advice that remains in place is:

• If you’re sick, stay home. Do not socialise.

• Practice good hygiene measures, including washing your hands, coughing or sneezing into your elbow and cleaning surfaces.

• Keep track of where you’ve been and who you’ve seen.

• NOTE: At Alert Level 1 the Government requires everyone to wear a mask while using public transport, including: on long-distance bus and train journeys and most ferries and on domestic flights throughout New Zealand.

Thank you for your ongoing understanding and kindness to your fellow residents and our team as we navigate the continuing COVID-19 alert level restrictions together.

17 February 2021 - information sent to care home residents and rehabilitation clients under Alert Level 2 (Auckland Only)

Dear Care Home residents, Rehab clients and whānau

The Prime Minister announced this afternoon that the greater Auckland area is moving down to Alert Level 2, and the rest of New Zealand to Alert Level 1, from midnight tonight, until Monday 22nd February.

For all of our Bupa facilities now under Alert Level 2, we are now be open for visiting, however, we have decided to implement visitor mask wearing effective from midnight tonight.

This is a proactive step we are taking to keep our residents, clients, and teams safe. We are closely following the Ministry of Health updates on this occurrence and will revise our instructions as new information comes to hand.

• Mask wearing: We require all visitors to wear masks, so please either bring your own masks or we will provide one if you do not have one.

• The Ministry of Health have released a list of locations of interest related to these COVID-19 community cases. Please make sure you have reviewed this list, which can be found on the MoH website.

• People who have attended one of the MoH listed locations during the relevant timeframes are asked to please stay at home, get a test and wait until a negative result comes back. 

The points below remain in place at ALL of our Bupa facilities:

• We continue to ask that you do not visit if you feel at all unwell, e.g. have a temperature or have any gastro / cold / flu symptoms.
• Entry into our facilities must be through the main reception and you will be required to sanitise your hands on arrival.

• All visitors must sign in via the EVA Visitor Registration App at reception, or on the paper-based Contact Tracing Spreadsheet. As part of this, all visitors must read and agree to a Health Declaration and Privacy Statement.

• Residents have the option to take a Contact Tracing Form when leaving our facilities to visit family and whānau, for completion while out. We also strongly encourage them to use the NZ COVID Tracer QR code for each location they visit.

The Ministry of Health will next provide an update on Monday 22nd February. After this time, we will review our guidance and be in touch with you if the above changes in any way. Thank you again for your understanding and for helping us maintain the safest possible environment for your loved ones in our care.

17 February 2021 - information sent to village residents under Alert Level 2 (Auckland Only)

Dear residents,

The move to COVID-19 Alert Level 2 announced by the Government from midnight Wednesday 17^th marks a significant and welcome step for those of us in Auckland.

As you would expect, this move down alert levels again has implications for the measures in place at our Bupa Retirement Villages and how we go about our day to day lives.

From midnight tonight, the below guidance applies to visiting a Bupa Retirement Village in Alert Level 2 regions:

• Communal areas are now open again, but as an extra precaution please observe personal hygiene and physical distancing.

• Visitors can now visit using communal spaces.

• Van outings and meal service now resume.

• Respite, day care and wellness clinics are now open.

• We continue to ask that people do not visit if they feel at all unwell, e.g. have a temperature or have any gastro / cold / flu symptoms.
• Entry into our facilities must be through the main reception and visitors are required to sanitise their hands-on arrival.

• All visitors must sign in via the EVA Visitor Registration App at reception, or on the paper-based Contact Tracing Spreadsheet. As part of this, all visitors must read and agree to a Health Declaration and Privacy Statement.

• At Level 2 all visitors to our Care Homes are required to wear masks. If you wish to visit someone within the Care Home, please either bring your own mask or we will provide one if you do not have one.

The rules that apply to the general public also apply to village residents, however we ask that you apply extra caution wherever you can. All Level 2 Government guidance can be found at covid19.govt.nz

The Government will review these current Alert Levels on Monday 22^nd February and we will update you accordingly.

17 February 2021 - information sent to care home residents and rehabilitation clients under Alert Level 1

Dear residents, clients and whānau,

The move to COVID-19 Alert Level 1 announced by the Government today marks a significant and welcome step forward for those outside of Auckland.

The points outlined below come into effect from midnight tonight.

Updated visitor guidelines

At Alert Level 1 most restrictions are removed and there is no requirement for physical distancing. The following guidelines are still in place:

• We continue to ask that you do not visit if you feel at all unwell, e.g. have a temperature or have any gastro / cold / flu symptoms.
• Entry to the facility must continue to be through the main reception.
• You will be required to sanitise your hands on arrival.
• All visitors must sign in via the EVA Visitor Registration App at reception, or on the paper-based Contact Tracing Spreadsheet. As part of this, all visitors must read and agree to a Health Declaration and Privacy Statement.

• You will no longer be required to wear a mask while moving through the facility.

• Residents and clients can have the option to take a Contact Tracing Form when leaving the facility to visit family and whānau, for completion while out.

Thank you again for understanding and for helping us maintain the safest possible environment for your loved ones in our facility.

17 February 2021 - information sent to village residents under Alert Level 1

Dear resident,

The move to COVID-19 Alert Level 1 announced by the Government today marks a significant and welcome step forward for those outside of Auckland.

From midnight tonight, all Bupa Retirement Villages outside of Auckland will return to normal at Alert Level 1, however contact tracing will remain in place for all external visitors.

The Government advice that remains in place is:

• If you’re sick, stay home. Do not socialise.

• Practice good hygiene measures, including washing your hands, coughing or sneezing into your elbow and cleaning surfaces.

• Keep track of where you’ve been and who you’ve seen.

Thank you for your ongoing understanding and kindness to your fellow residents and our team as we navigate the continuing COVID-19 alert level restrictions together.