GEIFN: GEIFN | CONSOLIDATED | Information on Coronavirus (COVID-19)

[Edited and collated from public addresses]

Topics

VIC | State of Disaster Update
VIC | New Crackdown on those flouting Isolation directions
VIC | Tested positive to COVID19?
VIC | Additional monitoring of positive COVID19 cases and their notified close contacts by Police, DHHS and ADF members
VIC | Coronavirus (COVID-19) Extreme Hardship Support Program
VIC | Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment
VIC | Official Work or Childcare Permits
VIC | A new Call-to-Test service
VIC | Eligibility and Access to Childcare Arrangements
VIC | Free kinder for families in Term 3
VIC | Fast tracked mental health support for Victorian's in need
VIC | Escaping harm - even during curfew hours is OK
VIC | At home shouldn't mean at risk. A Special Bulletin on Child Safety
VIC | 2020 VicArts Grants program now open
MELB | Cohealth Health Concierge vacancies
AUST | SBS Coronavirus (COVID-19) state restrictions fact sheet
AUST | Beyond Blue translated resources
AUST | Coronavirus hotline
AUST | Helpers and Reliable Sources Along the Way
Acknowledgment to Sources
Self-Isolators, Non-Essentials And The Homebound

1. Victorian State of Disaster Update

From Sunday 2 August at 11.59pm Victorian Government Department of Health and Human Services announced it is mandatory for all Victorians to wear a mask when leaving home for any of the four reasons to help reduce the spread of COVID-19.

Further restrictions are being introduced for people who live in the City of Greater Geelong and the Shires of Colac Otway, Golden Plains, Moorabool, Surf Coast and the Borough of Queenscliffe. From 11:59pm on Thursday, 30 July you will no longer be able to have visitors to your home or visit others in their homes.

From 11:59pm on Sunday 2 August everyone in Victoria will need to wear a face covering when they leave home, unless they have a lawful exception:

Children under 12 years do not need to wear a face covering. Children aged two years or younger must not wear face coverings as they are a choking and suffocation risk.
There are lawful exceptions for not wearing a face covering including if you have an illness or condition that makes wearing a face covering unsuitable, if you are doing strenuous exercise or if you are unable to do your job while wearing a face covering.
People who do not wear face coverings and do not have a lawful excuse can be fined $200.
Other lawful exemptions for not wearing a face covering

Read 3/8 announcement regarding Supporting Aboriginal Communities Through Coronavirus

Read 7/8 announcement regarding Supporting Final Years Students Through The Pandemic

Read 9/8 announcement regarding Fast-Tracked Mental Health Support For Victorians In Need

Read 11/8 announcement regarding More Business Support Funds Flowing

Read 11/8 announcement regarding Helping Sporting Clubs And Associations Through The Pandemic

Read 12/8 announcement regarding Mental Health Support For Business Owners And Workers

For information on Victoria's current restrictions, visit the Department of Health and Human Services webpage here.

2. VIC | New Crackdown on those flouting Isolation directions

Effectively immediately, a new infringement offence for a breach of the Victorian Chief Health Officer directions will be introduced to target those people who are failing to self-isolate after testing positive to coronavirus or being identified as a close contact.

A fine of $4,957 can be issued to a person who is found to breach the requirement to be self-isolating for a second or subsequent time – the highest on the spot infringement Victoria Police can issue to a person.

Read the Premier's full press release 4/8 here.

3. VIC | Tested positive to COVID19?

You cannot leave your home to exercise.

People who have tested positive or are close contacts will no longer be able to leave their homes for exercise. A limited number of reasons to leave the home will remain - including seeking medical care, in an emergency, or if required by law.

4. VIC | Additional monitoring of positive COVID19 cases and their notified close contacts by Police, DHHS and ADF members

To ensure all Victorians are following the Chief Health Officer's directions, there will be an additional 250 sworn Police officers joining Operation Sentinel – bringing it to a team of 750 Victoria Police officers, as well as general duties officers - who are checking those who should be insolation - are in isolation.

They will be assisted by the expansion of Operation Vestige, which sees ADF personnel and DHHS authorised officers making in person visits to the homes of people who have tested positive or are close contacts to ensure they are self-isolating. The teams also ensure people understand the requirements for isolation and that they have what they need including connections to support services if required.

More than 500 ADF personnel and 300 authorised officers will join the teams already on the ground and see the operation scale up to 4,000 household visits every day from next week.

Any persons not at home or confirmed as non-compliant through door knocking are prioritised for compliance checks. Where non-compliance is confirmed, infringements are issued.

Victoria Police has undertaken over 6000 spot checks in the past 24 hours at homes, businesses and non-essential services across the state and issued 161 fines as part of Operation Sentinel – including 60 for failing to wear a mask.

If Police, the ADF or DHHS knock on your door and you're not able to prove you were out for the right reasons, you will be fined.

To read the Premier's full announcement 4/8, click here.

5. VIC | Coronavirus (COVID-19) Extreme Hardship Support Program

Red Cross, Brotherhood of St Laurence and the Department of Health and Human Services have implemented the Extreme Hardship Support Program to provide emergency financial assistance to people who are unable to access income support.The program is targeted to support the most vulnerable in our community – including temporary and provisional visa holders and undocumented migrants with little or no income, savings or community support.
Find out more and apply

6. VIC | Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment

For those who have exhausted their sick leave in Victoria is available from today.
To apply, simply call 180 22 66.

7. VIC | Official Work or Childcare Permits

With new restrictions on business and industry coming into force from midnight Wednesday 5/8, employees working in permitted industries who cannot work from home will be required to carry a new ‘Worker Permit’ when travelling to and from work.

The definition of 'essential worker' has been prescribed in the Chief Health Officer's Public Health Orders.

ALL workplaces in Melbourne must be closed unless:

the workplace is part of a permitted activity, or
all employees are working from home.

From 11:59pm on Wednesday 5 August, employers that require their staff to attend a work site must issue a worker permit to their employees – this is the employer’s responsibility.

Penalties of up to $19,826 (for individuals) and $99,132 (for businesses) will apply to employers who issue worker permits to employees who do not meet the requirements of the worker permit scheme or who otherwise breach the scheme requirements.

If you do not work in a permitted workplaces or industry - and have not been issued with a work permit by your employer, you must remain home

Some people will be able to show their workplace IDs to police to confirm why they're out, especially if they've got a uniform that connects them to their workplace.

The permit system is NOT a license for employers to grant people exemptions for non-essential work in non-essential workplaces. Police will be scrutinising the validity of the workers permits and issuing fines to individuals and employers found to be flouting the rules.

If you have a Permitted Worker Permit or a Childcare Permit, you can keep a digital copy and display it on your phone.

8. VIC | A new Call-to-Test service

Now available is the new Call-to-Test service, providing in-home coronavirus testing to Victorians who would otherwise be unable to get tested.

This includes older Victorians, Victorians with a disability, carers and those with an illness that might prevent them from leaving home. For eligible callers located in Melbourne, testers will visit within 48 hours.

To find out more about this service, call the DHHS Coronavirus hotline on 1800 675 398.

9. VIC | Eligibility and Access to Childcare Arrangements

From the Department of Health and Human Services website:
From Thursday 6 August, only the children of permitted workers and vulnerable kids will be able to access childcare and kinder.

For the purposes of childcare and kinder, a permitted worker can also include someone working from home. This does not apply to every worker working from home - only those working in permitted industries.

This section provides information to parents and guardians on how they can seek a permit to access childcare. Early childhood providers should use these permits to enable access to care.

Permitted workers, are able to access onsite childcare and kinder if there is no one else in their household who is able to supervise children. For example, a permitted worker in a single parent household may access childcare and kinder.

If there is another carer in the household, permitted workers can still access onsite childcare if the other parent/carer cannot supervise children. This could be for a number of reasons - for example, if their partner or co-parent:

has a medical condition, or chronic illness which prevents them from caring for the child
has a disability
is completing full time study and must attend onsite
works from home, but in a role that means they cannot supervise the children - resulting in the permitted worker not being able to do their job

Both carers do not have to be permitted workers to access childcare - but we are asking that Victorians only access childcare and kinder services if they have to.

In line with the above, permitted workers are also able to continue with pre-existing in-home care arrangements if there is no one else in their household who is able to supervise their child.

Grandparents and elderly relatives play an important part in caring for children, but may be particularly vulnerable to coronavirus. We strongly advise these types of care arrangements are avoided where possible.

We know that living with coronavirus is challenging for lots of families, but as Victorians understand we must do everything we can to keep families together – by staying at home and slowing the spread of the virus.

To read more, visit the DHHS website.

Remember: permitted workers can only be issued permits, including those supportive of childcare arrangements, only for the times they are required to work in a permitted capacity. This is not a license to issue permits to support full time childcare if the individual employee is not in full time employment. All work that can be done from home must continue to be done from home.

Penalties of up to $19,826 (for individuals) and $99,132 (for businesses) will apply to employers who issue worker permits to employees who do not meet the requirements of the worker permit scheme or who otherwise breach the scheme requirements.

10. VIC | Free kinder for families in Term 3

Under Stage 4 restrictions in Melbourne, permitted workers are able to access childcare and kinder if there is no one else in their household who is able to supervise their child.

This may be for a range of reasons; including, the other parent could be a full-time student and must attend onsite, has a disability, or be working from home such that they cannot supervise the child, or there may be no other adults in the household.

All kinder in Victoria will be free for Term 3, and children will be supported to learn from home thanks to a relief package to support early childhood services through the pandemic from the Victorian Government.

Minister for Education James Merlino announced an extension to the free sessional kinder support and a further $1.6 million in grants, which will be available via the Australian-first School Readiness Funding program for kindergartens to help deliver early childhood education to children learning at home.

Read 9/8 address from Minister for Education James Merlino

11. VIC | Fast tracked mental health support for Victorian's in need

Victoria’s mental health system will receive nearly $60 million in an additional boost to get more Victorians support when they need it – now and after the pandemic is over as its effects are still being felt.

The $59.7 million in new funding will strengthen the surge capacity of clinical and community mental health services across Victoria to cope with additional presentations and reduce pressure on hospital emergency departments – ensuring Victorians can get the care they need, even as demand for services spikes.

Read 9/8 address from Minister for Mental Health Martin Foley

12. VIC | Escaping harm - even during curfew hours is OK

Community leaders dealing with matters of family and domestic violence need to be aware that those escaping harm can do so even during the curfew hours of 8pm-5am.

Anyone can leave their home at anytime to escape family or domestic violence.

Safe Steps Family Violence Response Centre is Victoria’s statewide first response service for women, young people and children experiencing family violence.

Please call 24/7 phone line: 1800 015 188
If you cannot safely call the 24/7 phone line, email safesteps@safesteps.org.au or check website: https://www.safesteps.org.au

If someone is in immediate danger call 000.

13. VIC | At home shouldn't mean at risk. A Special Bulletin on Child Safety

As a community member, it is our responsibility to do all that we can to protect any child you know, or suspect may be a victim of any form of abuse or neglect.

While many children have been safe from COVID-19 with their families, some have found themselves victims to physical, emotional or sexual abuse, and neglect.

This does not account for the far-reaching implications and hardship suffered by families affected by COVID-19 – who are experiencing an increase in unemployment, alcohol use and mental health issues.

Risks to child safety can include:

Insufficient supervision of children
Distress due to the fear of death or illnesses such as COVID19 – with the potential for worsening of a pre-existing mental health condition
Coerced or forced engagement in exploitative behaviour
Physical, emotional and sexual abuse

Children are NOT responsible for their own safety:

Adults bear the responsibility for picking up on signs of abuse.
Adults bear the responsibility for reporting any disclosures of abuse or suspected abuse

Read the full report from Victorian Jewish Community COVID-19 Taskforce

If you have a concern about a child’s safety

It must be reported to the Department of Health and Human Services or the special unit of the Victorian Police, Sexual Offences and Child Investigation Team (SOCIT).

14. VIC | 2020 VicArts Grants program now open

The 2020 VicArts Grants program is currently open for projects and programs that will develop and bring dynamism to Victoria's arts sector. The program provides grants between $5,000 and $60,000 and is open to new ideas, new modes of practice and new approaches to delivery of the arts that will build on Victoria's position as a cultural leader. This round closes 3 September 2020 for activity commencing after 1 January 2021.

Find out more and apply

15. MELB | Cohealth Health Concierge vacancies

Cohealth are currently recruiting Health Concierges to monitor the health and wellbeing of all residents who are moving in and out of the Flemington and North Melbourne towers and other associated functions as directed. Daily duties include wellbeing check-ins, temperature checks, providing education on donning/doffing masks.
Find out more and apply

16. AUST | SBS Coronavirus (COVID-19) state restrictions fact sheet

SBS have produced a fact sheet that tracks the current restrictions by state and territory in multiple languages. To change the language, use the icon in the top right hand corner or scroll to the bottom to choose by language.

The fact sheet can also be accessed from the SBS Multilingual Coronavirus Portal under the preferred language - www.sbs.com.au/coronavirus
View the fact sheet

17. AUST | Beyond Blue translated resources

Beyond Blue have information on managing your mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic in more than 60 languages other than English. The factsheets include information on their dedicated coronavirus phone support line and online chat service.
Find out more

18. AUST | Coronavirus hotline

Coronavirus hotline: If you are concerned, call the coronavirus hotline on 1800 675 398 (24 Hours).
If you are an NDIS participant you can also call the national hotline on 1800 020 080.
Information and referrals for people with disability and their supporters about Coronavirus: Contact the Disability Information Helpline on 1800 634 787.
If you are deaf, or have a hearing or speech impairment, you can also call the National Relay Service on 133 677.
Interpreting service: If you need an interpreter, call TIS National on 131 450.
Testing locations: Find a testing location near you.
Triple Zero: Please keep Triple Zero (000) for emergencies only.

19. AUST | Helpers and Reliable Sources Along the Way

20. Acknowledgment to Sources

This is a consolidated account of information current at time of issuance, sourced, collated and provided by Victorian Jewish Community COVID-19 Taskforce, Ethnic Communities' Council of Victoria, Buddhist Council of Victoria, various Government Authorities, community organisations and public domain, received with gratitude.

Best wishes for skilful collaborations, less Suffering, causes for less Suffering, Good Health and Time to Enjoy it.

Bye bye to Essentialists for now, please leave to attend to the essential work. That is all from GEIFN's caretaker at this time.

21. Self-Isolators, Non-Essentials And The Homebound

Let us cheer on the global scientists, medical fraternity, authorities and essentialists racing across the clock separately and together in new found ways, to find a cure, manage the situation, and if not, create mass-producable innoculation.

Meanwhile, if with a surplus of time, this is offered. Discuss with sincerity. Deny untruth. Dismiss unuseful. Accept useful. Adapt to change. Adopt least effort most benefit. Adept with sharing. Enjoy throughout. As each case may be. Round. And again. Or not.

NAVIGATION