As New Zealand eases into Health Alert Level Three, chief executive Hilary Sumpter advises that the Care Facility at Kerikeri Retirement Village will remain in full lock-down for the protection of their most vulnerable residents. This means that friends and relatives are still not able to visit the care facility.
Ms Sumpter confirms that reception will also remain closed until the country reaches Level 2. Likewise, all social congregating areas, events and day programmes will be closed, at least until Level 2 and even then, there may be some restrictions in place.
The situation for Independent Living residents however is very different and they will have all the freedoms (and restrictions) of over-70s living outside the Village.
Ms Sumpter says "cottage and apartment residents can expand their bubble to include a neighbour or friend or relative" from the Village or community but emphasises that as per government instructions "this is an either/or situation. Residents cannot visit a friend and also have a family member come to visit them". She cautions residents that if they do visit someone, that person not be expanding their bubble to other people either. "These are exclusive expanded bubbles".
However if a cottage or apartment resident does wish to invite a relative in, or go to their house, then this is permissible at Level 3 and also means people can drive into the Village to visit the one person within their expanded bubble.
Residents who do not yet feel comfortable going outside the Village are continuing to make use of a ‘shopping buddy’ system manned by volunteers from the community. Ms Sumpter is encouraging residents that, where possible, they should access services without leaving their homes and make use of internet shopping and deliveries. Her message to residents is that if they do go out they need to practice social distancing by keeping two metres apart and good hygiene by avoid touching surfaces, washing their hands and using cough etiquette.
Ms Sumpter is strong in her conviction that everyone needs to take the warnings, guidance, and basic rules under Level Three seriously and says "the COVID-19 virus can be deadly, as we have seen in other aged-care facilities around the country. Level Three is basically the same as Level Four but with a slight expansion of our bubbles. Please continue to live with the ‘bubble’ concept and help us protect our friends and neighbours in the Care Facility".
