COVID-19 NSW update: Christmas period

The NSW Government has confirmed some changes to restrictions for the Christmas period. Find out more about what this means for Aruma services.

December 23, 2020

The NSW Government announced an additional eight cases today linked to Sydney’s Northern Beaches cluster. The NSW Premier advised that restrictions will continue to be in place but with some changes for the Christmas period.

How these changes impact our services

In addition to the broader community announcement, the NSW Government has also made some changes to the Residential Care Facility Directives, which outline the rules for our Supported Independent Living homes. A summary of these changes is outlined below.

All services in NSW

All staff are required to wear masks while at work in the home.

Where customers are permitted to leave the home, a comprehensive checklist will need to be completed on return to ensure the safety of all customers living at the home. Please assist the local staff by providing the necessary information.

Northern Beaches

North of Narrabeen Bridge

Until midnight on 30 December, no visitors will be allowed into the home except for care and support. Residents are not allowed to leave the Northern Beaches Local Government Area (LGA).

Aruma has no homes in this area and provides only Flexible Supports to customers.

South of Narrabeen Bridge

Until midnight on 30 December, up to two visitors are allowed at any one time. Visitors can only be from Greater Sydney or the south sector of the Northern Beaches. No visitors will be permitted from the north section of the Northern Beaches and no one from regional NSW should travel to this area.

Residents are permitted to leave the home, however, are not allowed to leave the Northern Beaches LGA.

Aruma’s services in this location are at an amber rating. Find out more about what an amber rating means.

Greater Sydney (which includes Blue Mountains, Wollongong and the Central Coast)

Until midnight on 30 December, only two visitors are permitted in the home at any one time. No visitors are permitted from the Northern Beaches.

Residents are permitted to leave the home, however, are not allowed to travel to the Northern Beaches.

Aruma sites in the Greater Sydney, Blue Mountains, Wollongong and Central Coast are at an amber rating. Find out more about what an amber rating means.

Regional and rural NSW

There are currently no restrictions on visitors to homes in regional or rural NSW if the visitors currently live outside of Greater Sydney. Anyone visiting a home located in a regional area from Greater Sydney will be limited to two visitors at any one time. No visitors are permitted from the Northern Beaches.

Aruma sites in regional NSW are at a green rating. Find out more about what an green rating means.

Monitor NSW site for new testing locations

More venues visited by a COVID-19 positive case continue to be announced. Please make sure you keep yourselves across these. They can be found on the NSW Government’s website.

Note for customers and families on the Central Coast

The virus was also detected at a treatment plant in Kincumber serving the Gosford area on Monday. The NSW Government is urging residents from this area to get tested if they have even the most minor symptoms.


If you have any questions, please speak to your local staff.

We thank you for your ongoing support and assistance.

I know things look somewhat different this year, but we hope with these new Government restrictions, we will be able to get this pandemic under control again. I would like to take this opportunity to wish you and your families a very Merry Christmas and a safe and happy New Year.

Take care

Laz Cotsios
Chief Operating Officer, Aruma