10th March 2020
I am sure you are all aware of the ongoing situation related to coronavirus. This is the first of regular updates I will provide for you with regards to coronavirus and how we are responding at Leisure Networks.
Please take a moment to read this information.
LEISURE NETWORKS CANCELS A CRUISE WHICH WAS DUE TO DEPART ON MAY 20TH 2020.
Keeping our customers and staff safe is the most important issue when making decisions at Leisure Networks and as a result of the recent advice from Smartraveller I have made the decision to cancel the cruise.
I appreciate that this decision may cause disappointment for some of our customers, however, this latest advice from the Government indicates that the risk of potential exposure to people infected with coronavirus COVID-19 is increasing on international cruises. This risk is one I am not prepared to take for either my staff or our customers. Please read the full communication here: Customer Cruise Comms_10_03_2020_COVID19
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.
The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) report there is no evidence of community transmission in Victoria at this time. As the situation continues to evolve, ensuring your health, safety and wellbeing is our key priority.
We would like to provide you with some practical measures that we are putting in place to minimise any potential exposure and disruption to our workplace. These measures are based on the advice of the Australian Government and the World Health Organisation.
Moving forward, I will provide updates as required to ensure that you are kept informed of any key changes but for now – as per the Government advice – it is business as usual!
PERSONAL HYGIENE IS THE KEY – We all know good hygiene is the best way to stay healthy. How are some simple, but very important things you can do to reduce your risk of being infected:
- Wash your hands often, with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, DRY with paper or hand dryer
- Try not to touch your eyes, nose or mouth
- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you sneeze, if you don’t have a tissue cough and/or sneeze into your upper elbow
- Dispose of used tissues immediately to avoid leaving germs on your hands
- Use a hand sanitiser with 60 per cent alcohol especially if working out in the community
To help share best practice in infection prevention, Disability Services Consulting has released a “Supporting People to Stay Infection Free” eLearning module that is a free module. It takes around 5 -20 minutes and the link is in the resources section below.
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 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
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
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