Hello Everyone,
Your health and safety is in the front of our mind as we see a significant jump in cases of COVID-19 in regional communities and in an effort to stop COVID-19 further seeping into regional Victoria the Premier of Victoria Daniel Andrews made the following announcement yesterday;
“Today, and in line with the advice of the Chief Health Officer, I can announce that same requirement face coverings being mandatory in metropolitan Melbourne and Mitchell Shire will apply across regional Victoria.
That means from Sunday 2 August at 11:59pm, a face covering will be mandatory whenever you leave home – and wherever you live.”
In addition, “from 11:59pm tonight,, and in the local government areas of Colac-Otway, Greater Geelong, Surf Coast, Moorabool, Golden Plains, and the Borough of Queenscliffe, you will no longer be able to visit people or have visitors at home”.
You can read the full statement here;
https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/updates/coronavirus-covid-19/statement-premier-30-july-2020
You can find further information on the use of face masks by following the below link.
https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/face-masks-covid-19
Purchasing personal protective equipment:
To better support NDIS participants during the extended coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, NDIA have made a temporary change to funding arrangements for personal protective equipment (PPE).
These changes apply where coronavirus (COVID-19) is active your community, and the use of PPE is consistent with current health advice.
You can now recover the costs to purchase PPE items using your NDIS funds, if you;
- Receive an average of at least one hour a day of face-to-face daily living supports, and
- Live in Victoria or New South Wales.
If a participant’s NDIS funds are plan or Agency-managed, they can purchase PPE through registered providers. Self-managed participants can choose where they purchase PPE and record and claim their purchases as per the usual process.
https://www.ndis.gov.au/coronavirus
Frequently asked questions:
Are face masks compulsory?
All Victorians must wear face masks in public.
What constitutes a face mask?
All the usual face masks can be worn, but so can scarves and bandanas, as the state government realises not everyone will have the access or financial means to a factory-made mask.
What happens If I don’t wear a face mask?
Anyone who does not comply will be hit with a $200 fine unless police are convinced you qualify for one of the four reasons.
What are the four reasons?
- It may be reasonable not to wear a mask if you are going for a run
- You have medical issues that make mask wearing difficult
- You have a job that is not amenable to mask wearing
- You are a child aged under 12 years
- But even if you fall into one of those categories you must still carry a mask with you while you are outside.
Wearing a face covering protects you and your community by providing an additional physical barrier to coronavirus (COVID-19). However, keeping 1.5 metres between yourself and others and washing your hands are still the best defences against coronavirus (COVID-19).
We know that many people we support and their families are needing important supports at this challenging time. We are doing everything we can to continue supporting all our customers.
Supports we can provide to help keep customers healthy, safe and connected
- Supporting people in their home or single night 1:1 respite services outside the home
- Assisting with house cleaning, gardening and meal preparation
- Taking people to appointments or early morning shopping
- One to one supports for safe outdoor activities
- Picking up medicines, shopping or other essentials
- Conducting online learning and research as part of SLES or other NDIS goal
We are still here – so please don’t hesitate to contact us
Over the last 30 years Leisure Networks has been supporting people with disabilities to be independent and connected in their community – in this very uncertain time, we want to continue ensuring our customers are safe and still feel connected – we have an incredible team that can assist with making this happen.
The best way to contact us is during office hours (8.30am – 5.00pm) and by calling our Customer Engagement Team on phone 5222 3911.
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 and staff.
Take care everyone,
Libby
CEO Leisure Networks