COVID-19 precautions.

Last updated Friday, 14 October 2022, 10:00h

COVID-19 self-isolation rules have changed

From 14 October 2022 you don’t need to self-isolate if you test positive to COVID-19, but it is recommended you stay home and take steps to protect others.

If you test positive on a rapid antigen test (RAT) please register this with Service NSW. Voluntarily registering your result can help you access medical support from NSW Health, including antiviral medicines if you are eligible. It also assists NSW Health respond to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Learn more about the changes and what you need to know if you:

• test positive to COVID-19
• were exposed to someone with COVID-19
• have flu or cold symptoms (runny nose, sore throat, cough, fever).

Some restrictions will continue to apply for high-risk settings such as health, disability and aged care.

Last updated Monday, 25 April 2022, 10:00h

In accordance with the latest NSW Health Department guidelines (from 22/4/22), if you have been exposed to COVID-19 (for example, if someone in your household or workplace has tested positive), but you do not have COVID-19 symptoms, you no longer have to self-isolate for seven days.

You must still follow the Household and Close Contact Guidelines, unless you have tested positive for COVID-19 in the last twelve weeks.

If you have been exposed, I would appreciate it if you would contact me to discuss, before attending an appointment. You can cancel or reschedule an appointment at my practice by visiting my booking page, or by clicking on the link in your appointment confirmation text/email.

While I understand this may arise at short notice, I would appreciate it if you could let me know as soon as is practical of any changes or cancellations.

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Last updated Thursday, 10 March 2022, 21:00h

Please note that wearing a mask is no longer a condition of entry to my practice. Of course, you may still choose to wear a mask, and if you’d prefer I wear one, I am happy to do so.

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Last updated Friday, 7 January 2022, 15:30h

To accord with current NSW Health Department guidelines, if you have been exposed to COVID (for example, if someone in your household or workplace has tested positive), you have to self-isolate for seven days.

If you have been exposed, please do not attend an appointment until after this isolation period. You can cancel or reschedule an appointment at my practice by visiting my booking page, or by clicking on the link in your appointment confirmation text/email.

While I understand this may arise at short notice, I would appreciate it if you could let me know as soon as is practical of any changes or cancellations.

Thank you.

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Last updated Friday, 24 December 2021, 11:30h

As of 12:01 AM, 24 December 2021, the NSW Government has changed the rules around wearing face masks. It is now again mandatory to wear a mask in all indoor business settings. Please note that wearing a mask is a condition of entry to my practice.

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Last updated Friday, 17 December 2021, 11:30h

As of 15 December 2021, the NSW Government rules and restrictions have changed. In line with these changes, it is no longer mandatory to use QR code checkin when you attend my practice. It also no longer mandatory to wear a mask in most situations, though they are still strongly encouraged by NSW Health.

However, in light of the current outbreak of locally acquired cases, wearing a mask is still currently a condition of entry to my practice. I will also still require you to sanitise or wash your hands on arrival.

I am taking these measures to protect the wellbeing and safety of all my clients. Thank you for your understanding.

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Last updated Sunday, 17 October 2021, 19:00h

As I understand it, there is no requirement to be fully vaccinated to attend a medical appointment. Therefore, while compliance with Public Health Orders is your responsibility, I will not require proof of double vaccination to attend an appointment at my practice.

QR code checkin, wearing a mask and hand sanitizing continue to be conditions of entry to my practice.

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Last updated Tuesday, 21 September 2021, 12:30h

A seven day lockdown comes into effect for the Byron Shire from 5.00 pm today, 21/9.

Under the description of ‘Authorised Workers‘, Registered Health Care Professionals in NSW are able to continue to treat patients requiring essential care.

The definition of ‘essential care’ is not entirely clear, but AACMA suggests as a guide “if in the absence of care, the patient’s condition could deteriorate to the point of requiring hospitalisation or suffering long term health effects”.

My practice is therefore currently open.

QR code checkin, wearing a mask and hand sanitizing continue to be conditions of entry to my practice.

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Last updated Monday, 16 August 2021, 13:00h

As you would know, the entire state of NSW went into lockdown yesterday at 5pm.  You can find more information on this here.

It is my understanding that under the description of Authorised Workers, registered health care professionals in NSW are able to continue to treat patients requiring essential care.

The definition of essential care is hard to find, but AACMA suggests as a guide “if in the absence of care, the patient’s condition could deteriorate to the point of requiring hospitalisation or suffering long term health effects”.

I am, therefore, re-opening my practice from tomorrow, 17 August. Please be aware that QR code checkin, wearing a mask and hand sanitising (or hand washing) are conditions of entry to my practice.

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Last updated Monday, 9 August 2021, 18:00h

New restrictions for NSW North Coast LGA’s.

NSW Health has today announced new restrictions for four LGA’s in Northern NSW, including the Byron Shire, coming into effect from 6:00 pm today, Monday 9 August.

In compliance with this stay-at-home order, my practice will be closed until Tuesday, 17 August.

I will, of course, keep abreast of developments and any further conditions introduced by NSW Health, and I will post here, advising of when I am re-opening my practice.

Updated rules regarding exemptions to requirement to wear a face mask.

(Updated 23 July 2021; 17:00h)

The rules have changed regarding exemptions to the requirement to wear a mask.

If you cannot wear a face mask because of a disability, physical or mental health illness or condition, you must carry either

• a medical certificate or letter signed by a registered health practitioner (such as a doctor) or a registered NDIS provider or
• a statutory declaration.

A statutory declaration will require you to identify your disability, physical or mental health illness or condition and declare

• you have the physical or mental health illness or condition or disability and
• the physical or mental health illness or condition, or disability makes wearing a fitted face covering unsuitable

Updated rules around electronic check-in

(Updated 7 July 2021; 17:00h)

The rules around check-in have changed. From 12 July, more businesses and organisations will need to have check-in set up at their premises. In compliance with the new NSW Health rules, I will ask you to use the QR code check in when you attend your appointment. To save your time at your appointment, please download the Service NSW app.

In accordance with the new NSW Health precautions, you must wear a mask when you attend your appointment. This is a condition of entry to my practice. Please be aware that the twelve hour notice of cancellation policy will apply.

From 26 June 2021, there are new restrictions in place across NSW. If you have been in the Greater Sydney area, including the Blue Mountains, Central Coast, Wollongong or Shellharbour on or since 21 June 2021, you need to observe the new stay-at-home rules.

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As of 23 November 2020, NSW Health introduced mandatory electronic check-in of clients for Registered COVID-Safe businesses. This is done by using a unique QR code assigned to the business. Accordingly, I have my QR code on display at the entrance to my practice.

To save time at your appointment, please download the Service NSW app to your phone. You can then scan the QR code from within the app to check in easily and efficiently.

Throughout the COVID-19 crisis, Acupuncture and Massage Therapy have both been specifically listed among activities permitted by the NSW Health Authorities.

Obviously, my work is primarily person to person, and hands-on, by its nature.

It has always been my practice to wash my hands with hot water and hand wash before and after touching every client, and I have always had a hands-free tap in my treatment room for this purpose. I also wash my hands frequently with hot water and hand wash during a treatment session; for example, if I’ve finished doing Shiatsu/bodywork and I am about to administer acupuncture; or after I’ve been writing up notes, and I’m about to remove the acupuncture needles.

I have always used single-use, disposable paper covers on my treatment table and face cradle, and single-use, disposable paper hand towels.

In addition to these standard practices, since Monday, 16 March 2020, after every client, I have been cleaning down the face cradle and treatment table, as well as other contact points (door-knobs, light-switches, etc.) with TGA-approved hospital-grade disinfectant.

If you have an appointment, and are/have been unwell, with ‘flu-like symptoms, or if you have visited a COVID-19 hotspot in the past 14 days, or have been in contact with a confirmed COVID-19 case, please contact me, and do not attend your appointment until we have first discussed the situation.

It is now a condition of entry to my practice that you use hand sanitiser on arrival. If you prefer, you can use the hand washing facilities, on condition you use hot water, hand wash and disposable paper towels provided.

I would also like to check your temperature on arrival, using a contactless thermometer, although this is not a condition of entry.

Effecting payment by EFT from your phone will be the safest and preferred option. I do have a contactless point of sale system, but for transactions over $100 clients may need to touch a keypad to enter their PIN. I am wiping down the keypad before and after every transaction with 70% isopropyl alcohol disinfectant .

I can offer online herbal medicine consultations, via Zoom. Payment can be made online, and herbal prescriptions can then be picked up with no person-to-person contact. Please note that, currently, private health funds may not cover the cost of online consultations.

Obviously, I will be keeping abreast of and complying with official directives, and I will post updates here and on my blog page. To receive notifications of updates, please subscribe to my blog.

Stay well, and please look out for your neighbours, especially the vulnerable.

Thank you

Karl