COVID-19 Update

COVID-19 Update 11 October 2021

VINNIES UPDATE

For advice contact Darren Stevenson – COVID-19 Response and Recovery Coordinator covid19@vinnies.org.au or updates after hours or weekends please visit the NSW COVID-19 website at https://www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19 or the National Coronavirus Helpline 1800 020 080.

COVIDSafe Guidance advice

The latest COVIDSafe Guidance advice are based on new Protocols for Hotspots, Vulnerable Personnel and Face to Face Activities.

CSG01 – Respiratory Masks 

CSG02 – COVID Incident Reporting

CSG03 – COVID-19 Travel at Work

CSG04 – COVID-19 Procurement

CSG05 – COVID-19 QR Tracing

CSG06 – COVID-19 Face-to-Face Activities Protocols

CSG07 – COVID-19 Hotspot Protocols

CSG08 – COVID-19 Vulnerable Personnel Protocols

Infection Control Policy (Vinnies Services)

COVID-19 Travel Protocol

What’s New

Effective today, Monday 11 October 2021, NSW has taken the first steps towards reopening after the State passed the 70% double vaccination target. New rules have come into effect, easing some restrictions for those who are vaccinated.

Some important changes:

  • Stay at home orders no longer are in effect for any local government areas across NSW, but may be re-introduced if NSW Health considers necessary.
  • There are no longer any Local Government Areas of Concern within Greater Sydney.
  • Travel permits are no longer required.
  • COVID-19 tests for workers travelling more than 50kms outside Greater Sydney are no longer required.
  • Greater Sydney includes the Blue Mountains, Central Coast, Wollongong and Shellharbour.
  • There are still vaccinations requirements for workers from some industries.
  • Travel for work between Greater Sydney and Regional NSW is permitted.
  • Travel for holidays and recreation between Greater Sydney and Regional NSW is not currently
  • There are rules for fully vaccinated and exempt people in NSW
  • There are rules for people who are not fully vaccinated
  • Work from home is still preferred for those who can.
  • Work from home is required for anyone not fully vaccinated, if reasonably practicable.
  • For premises in Regional NSW where there is a vaccination requirement, unless exempt, workers can return to work if they have had one does of a COVID-19 vaccine, but must be fully vaccinated by 1 November 2021; where there is a vaccination requirement, customers must be fully vaccinated.
  • For premises in Greater Sydney where there is a vaccination requirement, unless exempt, anyone attending that premises must be fully vaccinated.

Download this Roadmap to Reopening document – a printable summary of each stage for reopening.

We still need to be vigilant. As NSW reopens, an increase in COVID-19 case numbers and hospitalisation is anticipated. Please ensure you continue to:

Check Case Locations and Follow NSW Health Instructions

If you have visited a location where a positive case has been identified, you must follow health advice and instructions for that location.

  • See here to search for Case Locations in NSW (including public transport and flights).
  • If you have been to any of these locations on dates/times indicated, you must follow the instructions from NSW Health for testing and isolation.
  • Your local Health District website will have up to date information about exposure sites.

Check for Areas with Increased Activity, Monitor for Symptoms and Get Tested

If you live or have been in an area where there is increased activity, including areas where COVID-19 fragments have been detected in sewage, NSW Health advises you to monitor for symptoms and get tested as soon as possible.

Check for nearby COVID-19 Vaccination Clinics

Get tested for COVID-19  

Travel

Intrastate Travel

  • There are different rules that apply for vaccinated and unvaccinated people. There are some restrictions on travel between Greater Sydney and Regional NSW.
  • If travelling for work, there are no restrictions for travel within NSW for fully vaccinated people.
  • The general need to travel should still be considered by monitoring case locations and areas where there is increased activity.

Interstate Travel

For the latest detailed information regarding interstate travel and border closures and stay at home rules that apply to interstate locations you are advised to visit the website for relevant State or Territory.

  • Victoria – Please check the cross-border community page for current information about cross-border arrangements with NSW and Victoria.
  • Australian Capital Territory – Stay at home orders for the Australian Capital Territory have been extended to 11:59pm Friday 15 October 2021.

Vinnies Actions

COVID Safe Controls

  • Do not come to work if you are unwell or displaying symptoms of COVID-19. Get tested immediately and isolate until you get your result.
  • Check in using your site’s QR code, at your work and for other sites you visit.
  • Practice strict hygiene protocols to regularly use hand sanitiser, wash hands, and wipe over high touch points and your workspace. Take hand sanitiser with you when you go out.
  • Wear a face mask as required, including when outdoors and where physical distancing cannot be maintained.
  • If your site has a thermometer, ensure all who enter are temperature checked.
  • Maintain stocks of PPE available to order though the Society’s PPE hubs
  • Ensure physical distancing is always maintained, keeping 1.5 meters away from others.

Meetings and Activities

  • All meetings and activities need to comply with current NSW rules and restrictions.
  • The 4 square metre rule still exists for working out the maximum number of people who can be on a premises.

Face masks

  • Society personnel across NSW MUST wear a face mask while indoors at work.
  • Unless exempt, all people over the age of 12 must wear a face mask:
    • in indoor areas
    • at a public transport waiting area and while on public transport
    • if working at a hospitality venue and dealing directly with members of the public
    • on an aircraft when flying above NSW and in the airport.
  • Learn more about face mask rules.

Working from home

  • Staff who can work from home are expected to do so unless it is necessary (and they meet the public health order requirements) for them to attend a workplace. Any member of staff currently working from home who needs to attend a workplace must seek the approval of their manager and their Executive Director.

Contact for Advice 

For advice after hours or on weekends, please check NSW Government and National resource helplines.

Vinnies COVID-19 Resources

Resources to assist with managing a COVIDSafe workplace:

NSW Government Resources

National Resources

  • National Coronavirus Helpline 1800 020 080
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1. Conference Opening Protocols and Toolkit   

Regional Presidents have been given the authority to prioritise the inspection and opening of sites using the toolkit provided.

2. Assisting people during the pandemic – 3 July

03/07/20  This document has been prepared to give members, staff and volunteers of the St Vincent de Paul Society NSW an overview of the supports and assistance available to the people we assist during the COVID-19 pandemic.

3.  Member Nomination Form – Online Support Model

We seek the assistance of Members who may wish to support the online client support model either as part of the client assistance team or client assessment team (including EAPA assessment).  In addition, Members may wish to participate in testing the online system to ensure it is fit for purpose.

4. COVIDSafe preparation for Retail Stores and Conferences

Conference COVIDSafe Video

Retail Store COVIDSafe Video

5. Vinnies Shops Re-Opening

We have begun the process of re-opening our Vinnies shops across NSW. Check out your local shops here.

6. Active Clothing Bins for Donation Drop-Off

 

7.  COVID-19 Infection Control Advice for Conferences

20/04  Conference Food Assistance – COVID19 Infection control guideline

 

8. Advice on Household Energy Usage During the Pandemic

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