COVID has not cancelled Christmas in Inverell and the region's aged care facilities.
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For the McLean Care homes around the region COVID safe plans have been put in place to monitor visitor numbers.
CEO Sue Thomson said they are very excited their residents could still enjoy the company of those they love.
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"While vigilance is crucial, our priority is about balancing social and family interaction so that everyone can enjoy a safe and happy festive season," she said.
"Social distancing requirements remain our strongest defence in keeping our residents and staff safe this festive season."
As always, visiting hours are designed to suit individual needs and we encourage families and visitors to contact us so preparations can be made.
"We would like to extend our warmest thank you, to all of our communities for your cooperation and understanding throughout this extremely difficult year. Thank you for supporting us in protecting our local communities, particularly those that are most vulnerable," Mrs Thomson concluded.
From Tuesday, the two-person per resident visitor cap was removed from the Public Health Order covering the aged care sector.
Facilities will only be limited by the capacities on their individual COVID-safe plans, with no official cap in place.
Tamworth's Aveo village manager Leonie Lobsey said celebrations were not just at normal level, but had in fact been ramped up.
Much more excitement surrounded the activities this year seeing as communal gatherings had been banned or reduced due to the pandemic.
"With the average age of our residents around 88, we have a great many things to do, but we are also mindful of not wearing them out too much before the actual day," she laughed.
Since their Christmas party held on the first day of the month, they've been busy Christmas card writing, with bus tours of Christmas lights now happening three days a week.
Family and friends can come to the facility on Marius Street to dine with their relatives, however Mrs Lobsey said quite a few residents were being whisked away by their families to holiday destinations like the coast.
