13th March 2020
LEISURE NETWORKS COVID-19 (NOVEL CORONAVIRUS) UPDATE FOR CUSTOMERS
As the global spread of COVID-19 (coronavirus) continues Leisure Networks will continue to share with you how we are responding and taking precautions to protect the health and safety of our customers and staff.
Please take a moment to read this information.
WHAT ARE CORONAVIRUSES AND COVID-19?
Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses which may cause illness in animals or humans. Coronavirus (COVID-19) is a new virus that can cause infection in people, including severe respiratory illness.
If infected with COVID-19 most people get a mild infection, others get a severe infection causing hospitalisation. Elderly people and people with underlying health conditions such as diabetes, heart and respiratory conditions are more likely to develop a severe form of COVID-19.
How we respond to COVID-19 is a changing situation and there are new restrictions being put in place regarding attending large gatherings to help protect your health, safety and wellbeing.
If YOU ARE FEELING UNWELL
Remember if you are unwell please stay at home and inform our office team.
You should stay at home until you feel better. However if you know you have come into contact with someone with a confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19 you must seek prompt medical advice.
Please phone and talk with one of our staff if you are anxious or unsure about what you should do.
REMEMBER PERSONAL HYGIENE IS KEY!
Please remember the best way to minimise transmission of infection is good personal hygiene:
- Practise good hygiene especially when on camp and in cooking groups;
- Wash hands properly with soap and dry them
- Cover your mouth if coughing or sneezing and throw away used tissues
- Clean hard surfaces in your kitchens and bathrooms regularly
- Hand sanitiser should be used when out in community spaces
High fives, hand shaking, hugging and close contact between customers and with staff it not something we will encourage. Personal distance will be respected for all.
But a pat on the back or some other form of greeting could be developed that is fun and does not involve lots of physical contact.
EXCLUSIONS
Customers, staff and volunteers who have recently visited any of the countries affected by the travel restrictions listed on the SmarTraveller website must follow the Australian Government’s requirements in relation to 14-day self-isolation (quarantine) periods.
If you have returned from international travel in the last 14 days and begin to feel unwell and develop a fever or shortness of breath, a cough or respiratory illness, you should call the dedicated hotline on 1800 675 398 for advice.
PROGRAM CHANGES TO PROTECT YOUR HEALTH
We have also commenced re-designing our programs so that we are staying local, not attending large gatherings and using our fleet cars in preference to public transport.
Should you require something different please chat to Meg or Donna, we are more than happy to work with you to provide supports in a way that will minimise contact with large numbers of people.
We will also provide supports in-home if this is something that is required or preferred.
We will be letting you know regularly about these changes or you can also check on our website www.leisurenetworks.org
WHAT NEXT
While I appreciate this is an uncertain time, we are taking advice from the key agencies to ensure we are up to date with the latest information to ensure the health and safety of all our customers.
Please don’t hesitate to contact myself, or a member of the Leisure Networks team if you have any questions or concerns.
Libby Mears
CEO Leisure Networks
RESOURCES
A trusted source of information is the dedicated page set up by the Australian Government’s Department of Health.
The Department of Health and Human Services has established a hotline where any member of the public can call to seek information on COVID-19 on 1800 675 398.
The DHHS website is: https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/coronavirus
For further health information the number for Victoria’s ‘Nurse on Call’ is 1300 60 60 24
The Australian Government has enacted the Coronavirus Emergency Response Plan and the NDIA is taking necessary steps to prepare if a pandemic is declared to view; https://www.ndis.gov.au/news/4577-coronavirus-update
Smartraveller is monitoring closely the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak and its implications for overseas travel. https://www.smartraveller.gov.au/news-and-updates/coronavirus-covid-19