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

[Edited and compiled from public addresses]

Topics

VIC | State of Emergency Update
VIC | Coronavirus (COVID-19) roadmap to reopening
VIC | Community Activation and Social Isolation Initiative (CASI) Translated Fact Sheets
VIC | Coronavirus (COVID-19) Extreme Hardship Support Program
VIC | Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment
VIC | Financial assistance for utilities for Victorians
VIC | New business support to aid lockdown recovery
VIC | GRANTS | Hospitality Business Grant Program
VIC | GRANTS | Commercial Landlord Hardship Fund | Open, closing 16 October 2020
VIC | Pause on Evictions Extended and Extra Renter Protections introduced (residential and commercial) | until 31 December 2020
VIC | VMC | Nominate a diversity hero today | Nominations close Sunday 11 October 2020
VIC | MAV | Shelter Commissions Program
AUS | SBS | Emerging Writers' Competition
VIC | VMC | ‘Racism: Understanding your rights and taking action’ information sessions | until Tuesday 22 September 2020
VIC | ECCV | Gambling Harm Forum | Wednesday 16 September 2020 | 10am-1pm
VIC | GYMHA | Stress Management Revolutions Summit 2020 | Saturday 19-Sunday 20 September 2020 | from 8am
VIC | ABC | Victorian Voices: COVID-19 livestream
VIC | CCOEI | Virtual Music Concerts
VIC | COMMEMORATING | UN International Peace Day Forum | Monday 21 September 2020 | 4-5.30pm
VIC | COMMEMORATING | UN Peace Day: Shaping Peace Together | 21 September 2020 | 5-6pm
VIC | Safe Steps | Escaping harm - even during curfew hours is OK
VIC | VMC | Community Ambassador videos
VIC | OPAN | Older Persons Advocacy Network | supporting over 51 different languages
VIC | ECCV | Policy Issues Briefs: Impacts of COVID-19 on mental health, employment, social cohesion and ethnic seniors' clubs
NZ | Talking to Kids about Coronavirus
AUST | Coronavirus hotline
AUST | Helpers and Reliable Sources Along the Way
Acknowledgment to Sources
Self-Isolators, Non-Essentials And The Homebound

1. VIC | State of Emergency Update

Currently, Melbourne is in Stage 4 restrictions. From midnight 13 September 2020, Melbourne will take a First Step towards COVID Normal while Regional Victoria, currently in Stage 3 restrictions, will jump to the Second Step of reopening.

By moving from stages to steps, Victorians are given a long-term plan for a path out of restrictions and into COVID Normal.

Importantly, the aim is that the whole of the state is at COVID Normal by the end of the year – making sure family barbeques, summer holidays and a trip to the beach can all still happen.

These steps will be guided by dates – and the data. That means if we’re on-track to take a step forward, we can do so confidently.

COVIDSafe principles remain:

Wear a mask or face covering
Don't go to work if you feel sick or unwell
Physical distancing (1.5 metres)
Cough and sneeze into tissue or elbow
Good hand hygiene
Outdoor activities

To read the Premier's full announcement 6/9, click here.

2. VIC | Coronavirus (COVID-19) roadmap to reopening

In affect from midnight 13 September 2020
Metropolitan Melbourne restrictions roadmap

First step only applies to metropolitan Melbourne.
Curfew in place 9pm to 5am
Stay within 5km of your home except for permitted reasons such as work or education if these can not be done at home
Exercise or recreation: 2 people or a household can meet outdoors for two hours maximum
Visitors to the home: "Single person bubble" 1 nominated visitor if living alone/single parent (all children under 18)
Childcare and schools continue remote and flexible learning with on-site supervision for children of permitted workers
Playgrounds and outdoor fitness equipment reopen
Libraries open for contactless click and collect
Shopping for essentials, 1 person per household, once a day
Restaurants and cafes open for takeaway and delivery only

Regional Victoria restrictions roadmap

Only leave home for 4 reasons: school or work (if these can not be done from home), care or caregiving, to purchase essentials, exercise
Public gatherings: up to 5 people from a maximum of 2 households can meet outdoors for social interaction (infants under 12 months of age are not included in the cap)
Visitors to the home: "Single person bubble" 1 nominated visitor if living alone/single parent (all children under 18)
Childcare is open to all children
Schools return to onsite learning from Term 4 with safety measures
Outdoor exercise and recreation allowed
Restaurants and cafes open for takeaway and delivery only
Retail: open, with density and other restrictions, hairdressing open

Read full detais of Mapping Regional Victoria's pathway to 'COVID Normal' for work, education and living.

3. VIC | Community Activation and Social Isolation Initiative (CASI) Translated Fact Sheets

The Victorian Government’s new Community Activation and Social Isolation (CASI) initiative is intended to help people who might be feeling lonely or have lost their regular networks during coronavirus (COVID-19) to build social connections and networks of support in their local communities. Factsheets on the service are available in Chinese Simple / Mandarin, Italian, Greek, Vietnamese, Arabic, Punjabi, Hindi, Sinhalese, Spanish, Turkish, Fasi, Somali, Chin Hakha, Karen, Dinka, Oromo, Tigrinya, Malay, Nepalese and Urdu.
Download the fact sheets

4. 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.

To be eligible for this program a person must:

live in Victoria, and
be unable to access Commonwealth income support (such as JobKeeper or JobSeeker) or the Victorian International Student Emergency Relief Fund, and
have zero or very limited income, savings or community support
be a temporary or provisional visa holder, or an undocumented migrant.

To apply for emergency financial assistance go to www.redcross.org.au/vicrelief. Applicants will need their passport and bank statements showing transactions for the last three months. From Wednesday it will also possible to call a dedicated phone line on 1800 855 240. Speak to someone at Red Cross if you do not have the right visa or bank documents.

The website has information in simplified Chinese, Farsi, Malay, Nepalese, Spanish, Tamil, Urdu and Vietnamese.

FAQs and a fact sheet for community organisations are now available on the DHHS coronavirus website.

This emergency financial assistance complements other Victorian Government hardship supports available to all people living in Victoria, including the $1500 worker support payment, the $450 test isolation payment, the and the rent relief grant.

5. VIC | Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment

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

6. VIC | Financial assistance for utilities for Victorians

The Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning have prepared translated materials that highlight available financial assistance for utilities for Victorians during this difficult time. Please share this information widely with your networks to support Victorians facing financial challenges in paying for their basic necessities.

Find out more

7. VIC | New business support to aid lockdown recovery

Announced Sunday 13 September 2020, Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews announced a new $3 billion package

$1.1 billion in cash grants for small and medium sized businesses to companies "most affected" by coronavirus restrictions;
The establishment of a $251 million Licensed Venue Fund with grants of between $10,000 and $30,000;
Payroll tax will be deferred for businesses with payrolls up to $10 million for the full 2020-21 financial year;
A further $137 million in tax relief on top of an existing $1.5 billion program of tax relief;
$20 million for small businesses to help them access digital programs such as Shopify, training and workshops to adapt their businesses to online operations;
$15.7 million for an export recovery package to address logistics and supply chain issues caused by the pandemic, and establish new export channels;
$27 million worth of savings for businesses from the waiving of liquor license fees;
$41 million savings for businesses from a 50 per cent cut in stamp duty for commercial and industrial properties in regional Victoria; and
Grants of up to $20,000 to businesses in alpine resorts.

The grant application portal is expected to be open later this week accessible on the website www.business.vic.gov.au

Read 14/9 full article The Age

8. VIC | GRANTS | Hospitality Business Grant Program

This Business Victoria program supports food service businesses that have been affected by the return to Stage 3 and Stage 4 ‘Stay at Home’ restrictions to help slow the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) in Victoria. Eligible businesses will be provided with one-off, $25,000 grants to pay for business costs to support the continued operation of their business. An additional $5,000 is available for each additional premises, capped at a total of $20,000.
Find out more and apply

9. VIC | GRANTS | Commercial Landlord Hardship Fund | Open, closing 16 October 2020

The Victorian Government is offering grants for small private landlords who may not have the capacity to provide rent reductions to their tenants under the Commercial Tenancy Relief Scheme. Up to $3,000 per tenancy to eligible small private, individual and joint-owner landlords facing financial hardship after reducing rent for their tenants under CTRS requirements, from 21 August 2020 for eight weeks or until funds are exhausted, whichever comes first.
Find out more and apply

10. VIC | Pause on Evictions Extended and Extra Renter Protections introduced (residential and commercial) | until 31 December 2020

The Victorian Government will extend a ban on evictions and rental increases until the end of the year, increase assistance and ensure tenant turnover is taken into account in rental negotiations – giving tenants certainty and security they won’t lose their home or workplace during the pandemic.

Under the extension, evictions will continue to be banned for both residential and commercial tenancies until 31 December 2020, except in specific circumstances. Rental increases continue to be banned for the same period.
Read the full 20/8 Victorian Government statement

11. VIC | VMC | Nominate a diversity hero today | Nominations close Sunday 11 October 2020

Do you know someone who deserves to be recognised for their outstanding efforts to strengthen multiculturalism in Victoria? Nominate them for an award! The Victorian Multicultural Awards for Excellence recognise the outstanding achievements of people and organisations who strengthen multiculturalism across 15 categories.
Find out more and nominate

12. VIC | MAV | Shelter Commissions Program

Multicultural Arts Victoria is inviting expressions of interest for Shelter 2, a commissions program developed to respond to the unique challenges presented by coronavirus (COVID-19) for culturally diverse artists and communities. The second edition is open to culturally and linguistically diverse artists who live in or who were staying in any of 9 public housing estates in Flemington, Kensington and North Melbourne during the July lockdown.
Find out more and apply

13. AUS | SBS | Emerging Writers' Competition

Do you have a story to tell about growing up in diverse Australia? The SBS Emerging Writers’ Competition is a chance for budding writers to share their unique story on the theme ‘growing up in diverse Australia’. Writers have the opportunity to share their unique story and be in the running to win up to $5,000. Entries close 15 September.
Learn more

14. VIC | VMC | ‘Racism: Understanding your rights and taking action’ information sessions | until Tuesday 22 September 2020

Participate in a series of information sessions to educate and empower multicultural and multifaith communities about racism, understanding your rights and taking action.

Sign up for a session or pass this email on to members of your community who may be interested.

With targeted sessions for specific communities as well as a general session, please select a session that is best suited to your cultural background.

Multicultural youth | Tuesday 15 September | 5.30-7pm
Khayshie Tilak Ramesh, Multicultural Youth Commissioner]
Register now

Muslim women | Wednesday 16 September | 6-7.30pm
Muslim Legal Network, Islamic Council of Victoria
Register now

Communities of Myanmar | Saturday 19 September | 1.30-3.30pm
Bwe Thuy, VMC Commissioner
Register now

General session (all welcome) | Tuesday 22 September | 6-7.30pm
Vivienne Nguyen, VMC Chairperson
Register now

What to expect
These interactive sessions will provide you with information to better understand and exercise your rights if you or someone you know experiences racism, religious discrimination, or racial or religious vilification. You will also learn how to recognise racism, how to report it and where to seek advice and support.

Topics covered

What does discrimination, vilification and victimisation mean?
Where to get help and advice
How to report racism
Why reporting racism is important
How to take action against racism

Participants will be encouraged to contribute in a safe and confidential environment.

Who should attend
Please select the session that is most appropriate for you. Each session is tailored for specific communities and designed to create a safe space for participants.

Please note the general session on 22 September 2020 is open to all multicultural and multifaith communities in Victoria and will be run as a webinar rather than an interactive session.

Registrations
All participants must register to attend the sessions.

Please share this invitation with other members of your community who may also be interested in attending.

See the full list of information sessions on VMC website.

15. VIC | ECCV | Gambling Harm Forum | Wednesday 16 September 2020 | 10am-1pm

A forum for migrant and refugee community members and people seeking to engage with them.
Hear from experts, practitioners and community voices from the gambling harm reduction sector who will speak about the new challenges and effects of gambling in multicultural communities during the coronavirus pandemic and lock down.

Key note speaker is Dr Charles Livingstone, Associate Professor in the School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University
Find out more and register now

16. VIC | GYMHA | Stress Management Revolutions Summit 2020 | Saturday 19-Sunday 20 September 2020 | from 8am

Global Youth Mental Health Awareness not-for-profit in collaboration with various local and international reputable organizations presents A 2-day Stress Management Revolutions Virtual summit 2020.

This is a FREE virtual summit to give you the techniques you need to control the stress you experience in all areas of your life! The summit will help the participants to focus on how to manage stress and adversity, build an unshakable core of inner strength, and thrive in a challenging world.

Where: online through Zoom. Check-in details issued upon registration.
Cost: Free
Bookings: register online through Eventbrite.com.au

17. VIC | ABC | Victorian Voices: COVID-19 livestream

“We're all in this together" yet every community is unique, with different needs and ways of connecting. ABC Melbourne is partnering with the Victorian Council of Social Service to deliver a series of online events to discuss critical COVID-19 public health and legal information. There will be a focus on working with communities and language groups that might not ordinarily engage with the mainstream media.
Find out more and register

18. VIC | CCOEI | Virtual Music Concerts

Communities Council on Ethnic Issues (CCOEI) are running a series of free, online Multicultural Community Concerts to help keep communities connected and engaged. The series starts this Sunday 6 September and will include a special performance by Ade Ishs. Tune in via their Facebook page to enjoy a variety of musical and dance acts from different cultural and community groups.
Find out more

19. VIC | COMMEMORATING | UN International Peace Day Forum | Monday 21 September 2020 | 4-5.30pm

A live online forum with thought leaders and special guests exploring notions of peace, marking the UN International Peace Day. Victoria University (VIUN) and its partners, the Victorian Multicultural Commission, the Institute for Economics for Peace, and the Australian Intercultural Society are pleased to invite you to be part of this very special online event which will explore notions of peace and what this mean to the Australian community, especially as we respond to increasing challenges to our social cohesion, our notions of well-being and health, and our way of life.

Find out more and register

20. VIC | COMMEMORATING | UN International Peace Day: Shaping Peace Together | Monday 21 September 2020 | 5-6pm

Victorian leaders from faith and non-faith backgrounds are coming together in unity on 21 September 2020 for a virtual UN Peace Day event. Accompanied by gentle guided commentary and music, each leader will light a candle for peace and hold a meditative space. All are welcome to join this event, so relevant to these times, celebrating and reinforcing compassion, courage and hope within the community.

Find out more and book

21. VIC | Safe Steps | 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.

22. VIC | VMC | Community Ambassador videos

The Victorian Government is sharing community ambassador videos, delivered by community leaders in their own language. In the videos, they share what the current coronavirus restrictions are, why they are so important, and instructions on wearing a face covering. By sharing these messages, you are helping your network stay safe and informed about coronavirus (COVID-19).
Download the stakeholder pack

23. VIC | OPAN | Older Persons Advocacy Network | supporting over 51 different languages

Older Persons Advocacy Network (OPAN) supports ethno-specific organisations in Victoria, in their promotion of The Older Persons COVID-19 Support Line (OPCSL) within their communities.

Some older people are more vulnerable to COVID-19 but less connected to the internet and in need of ways to access information for their circumstances. The Older Persons COVID-19 Support Line provides information and support.

Please find more information about OPCSL, translated into 51 different languages on OPAN’s webpage and share with seniors in your communities.

Visit the website for more information

24. VIC | ECCV | Policy Issues Briefs: Impacts of COVID-19 on mental health, employment, social cohesion and ethnic seniors' clubs

The latest ECCV Issue Brief is informed by inputs from CALD seniors’ clubs and ethnic seniors’ federations and highlights the protective role they play in supporting communication and providing emotional and physical health support to their members. ECCV found that while ethnic seniors’ associations are effective community connectors that are sustained by the dedication and commitment of their members, the pandemic has heightened the threats to the organisational survival of many.

25. NZ | Talking to Kids about Coronavirus

Science educator Michelle Dickinson, one of New Zealand’s most recognised scientists, has made a 4min video for parents on how to talk to their kids about Coronavirus.

26. 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.
Call-to-Test-at-Home service, providing in-home coronavirus testing to Victorians who would otherwise be unable to get tested, call the DHHS Coronavirus hotline on 1800 675 398.
Triple Zero: Please keep Triple Zero (000) for emergencies only.

27. AUST | Helpers and Reliable Sources Along the Way

28. 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.

29. 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 and the following 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

GEIFN | CONSOLIDATED | Information on Coronavirus (COVID-19) | Monday 14 September 2020