Advice for those receiving in-home cares

August 31, 2021 | Covid-19

Any person who enters a home to provide care should:

• stay home if they are sick and get tested if they have any COVID-19 symptoms
• Always practice good hygiene
• maintain physical distancing where possible
• use personal protective equipment (PPE) as appropriate
• keep a record of their visit for contact tracing purposes.

In-home carers are strongly advised to get vaccinated. Those who have not been vaccinated and would like to be can book themselves on the Book My Vaccine website.

Employers of in-home carers must have appropriate guidelines and systems to keep staff safe in the workplace; this includes following the proper workplace health and safety guidelines and notifying a carer if the person they are visiting is sick.

Vaccination for disabled people receiving support in their own home

Disabled people who receive support in their own homes are entitled to confirm and ask for evidence that a support worker has been vaccinated. If this information is refused, the person has the right to manage access to their home and refuse support from an individual who does not meet those requirements. You can contact your local NASC for further information regarding the availability of alternative support.

MBIE has updated information here: Vaccines and the workplace » Employment New Zealand