COVID-19 Response

Currently in NSW the active rates of COVID continue to fluctuate. Everyone is doing a good job but please do not get complacent, maintain your social distancing, hand hygiene and sanitiser and if you feel unwell get tested. 

The ever changing level of risk in specific Hotspot Locations and Suburbs still exists and the risk to the Society and our people is still present. Within these areas and it is extremely important that those working or living in and visiting these areas are taking precautions particularly if you are a person of increased risk.

So, current advice from NSW Health is that if you have any cold or flu like symptoms at all, assume its COVID-19 until proven otherwise – isolate and get tested right away don’t delay.

Residential Aged Care Facilities – As a precaution NSW Health is extending existing restrictions to Aged Care facilities until 20 December 2020.

Public Health (COVID-19 Aged Care Facilities) Order (No 3) 2020

Travel – is restricted to essential travel only within Hotspot Suburbs and the general need to travel should be reconsidered.

Meetings and Activities – face to face meetings should be avoided and only occur if a remote option is not available or appropriate. Meetings involving large numbers (anything over 10 people) should be avoided if possible, however if they are required and a face to face meeting is to occur ensure a large space that can accommodate the number is used with all COVIDSafe controls in place.

Face masks – are recommended for use indoors where social distancing is hard to maintain. Please also consider wearing face masks if you are using public transport, if you travel to and from work on public transport and your workplace has face masks a good idea is to take an extra one home each day to use the following day when travelling to work.

If you are a COVIDSafe Champion monitor how things are in your workspace and contact your supervisor if you need assistance.

You can also contact the Employee Assistance Program Ph:1800 818 728 or your WHS Regional Partner.

Public Health Warnings and/or Advice – Issued since last update:

To view previous Public Health Alerts click here.

New or changes to rules relevant to the Society Issued since last update

To view current news and media releases click here.

Key messages for the community are: 

• If you are unwell, get tested and isolate right away – don’t delay.
• Wash your hands regularly. Take hand sanitiser with you when you go out.
• Keep your distance. Leave 1.5 metres between yourself and others.
• Wear a mask on public transport, ride share, taxis, shopping, places of worship and other places where you can’t physically distance. When taking taxis or rideshares, commuters should sit in the back and wear a mask.

Check the NSW Health website for the latest COVID-19 News and Updates.

https://www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/latest-news-and-updates#latest-covid-19-case-locations-in-nsw

Currently Victoria and overseas destinations are subject to strict travel restrictions of bans. Areas that are located on the NSW border with other states have some specific requirements.

Check the NSW travel advice and restrictions for details..

Interstate and New Zealand locations

South Australia and New Zealand have recently identified case locations.

If you have recently returned from Adelaide and have been to any of the sites of concern listed on SA Health, whether listed as people who must quarantine or monitor your symptoms, please get tested immediately, regardless of symptoms.

People who must quarantine must isolate for a full 14 days from the time they were at the venue, regardless of the whether the test result is positive or negative.

People who visited the monitor your symptoms locations should isolate until a negative result has been received, and get tested and isolate again should any symptoms develop.

Keep informed if you have travelled to these locations and are required to self-isolate, or to monitor for symptoms.

Learn more about the areas of concern in South Australia.

South Australia

Visit SA Health for recent case locations and health advice.

New Zealand

Visit Ministry of Health NZ for recent case locations and health advice.

With the growing number of cases in the area, NSW Health is again asking all people who live in, or have visited, the following areas in the past two weeks to get tested if they have even the mildest of COVID-19 symptoms such as a runny nose or scratchy throat.

Vinnies Actions to be taken:

• Only Essential Travel to and from and around these areas with COVIDSafe Vehicle controls;
• Communicate any changes to business hours or service delivery to other Vinnies operations;
• Do not have gatherings or meetings in these areas and consider remote meetings or moving to another location – any meeting over 10 people should be reconsidered in general;
• Ensure ALL COVIDSafe Controls are being adhered with – hygiene, hand washing, social distancing, PPE use

SELF-ISOLATE AND GET TESTED IMMEDIATELY

If you have been to any of these locations during the time and date indicated you should:

• immediately self-isolate until 14 days after you were last there
• get tested even if you have no symptoms
• watch for COVID-19 symptoms and get retested should any symptoms recur
• even if you get a negative test, you must stay in isolation for 14 days (this is because it can take 14 days before you may show symptoms or test positive).

Vinnies Actions to be taken:

• All of the above actions;
• Do not come to work and inform your manager / supervisor of the situation;

No locations associated with a confirmed COVID-19 case within the past 14 days.

If you have been to any of these locations during the time and date indicated you should:

• watch for COVID-19 symptoms
• self-isolate and get tested immediately if symptoms occur.

Vinnies Actions to be taken:

• All of the above actions;
• Do not come to work and inform your manager / supervisor of the situation;

No locations associated with a confirmed COVID-19 case within the past 14 days.