[Edited and compiled from public addresses]
Topics
- VIC | UPDATING | State of Emergency
- VIC | ADVISING | COVID-Safe Summer Resources
- VIC | TRANSLATED | COVID-19 support materials for the workplace
- VIC | TRANSLATED | Materials - doing the right thing keeps up on top of coronavirus
- VIC | TRANSLATED | Materials - signage and posters for your workplace and community groups
- AUST | TRANSLATED | Fact sheets about pandemic leave payments
- VIC | PROVIDING | Disability counselling and advocacy support
- VIC | PROVIDING | Inclusive Education: Making Sure Our Kids With Disability Can Be Their Best
- VIC | PROVIDING | Free QR Code Service for Businesses with Visitors
- VIC | ENDORSING | Respect for Women: Call it Out 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence | from 25 November 2020
- MELB | ICM | WEBINAR | Spectrum of Enlightenment | Sunday 13 December 2020 | 6-6.45pm
- AUST | NDIS | Reforms – Information Paper
- AUST | NDIS | Price Guide update
- AUST | NDIS | Latest Quarterly Report now available
- AUST | NDIS | Quality and Safeguards Commission
- AUST | Coronavirus hotline
- AUST | Helpers and Reliable Sources Along the Way
- Acknowledgment to Sources
- Bye bye to Essentialists
- Self-Isolators, Non-Essentials And The Homebound
1. VIC | UPDATING | State of Emergency
From 11:59pm on Sunday 6 December 2020, Victoria moves to COVIDSafe Summer restrictions:
Eased restrictions will let Victorians get back to doing the things they love, while also protecting everything we have worked so hard to achieve this year.
This means that:
- You must carry a face mask with you when you leave home. Wearing a face mask is only mandatory on public transport, while in taxis or ride share vehicles, or when going to large retail venues, including shopping centres, supermarkets and department stores. Wearing a face mask is strongly recommended indoors and outdoors when you can’t keep 1.5 metres distance from other people.
- You can have up to 30 visitors to your home per day. There is no limit on the number of households those people come from. Front and backyards are considered part of the home.
- Up to 100 people can meet outdoors in a public place. There is no limit on the number of households those people come from.
- Record keeping continues to be an important tool for helping Victoria to stay safe and stay open. Businesses that are required to record the details of visitors should use electronic record keeping or QR codes. The Victorian Government has a free QR code service.
- Restaurants, cafes, bars and pubs can open for seated and unseated service. They must use electronic record keeping and apply the two square metre rule to ensure that customers have enough room to keep 1.5 metres between themselves and others. There are no other limits on the number of customers. Venues can have up to 25 people before the two square metre rule needs to be applied.
- Weddings, funerals and religious gatherings can occur with no limits on the number of guests or attendees. To ensure people can keep 1.5 metres distance the venue must apply the two square metre rule. If a service is conducted in a private home, the private gathering limit applies (30 visitors).
- Dance floors can reopen in bars and pubs as well as at weddings. The four-square metre rule must be applied to limit the number of people on the dance floor and there can only be up to 50 people on the dancefloor at one time, if space allows.
- There are also changes to the number of people allowed at community facilities such as libraries, sporting facilities (such as gyms), and entertainment facilities (such as cinemas).
Read the 6/12 Victorian Premier's statementRead full details, road maps and updated information2. VIC | ADVISING | COVID-Safe Summer Resources
Keeping coronavirus (COVID-19) case numbers low this summer is simply a case of keeping up what already works to keep us safe. These campaign materials are a friendly reminder to Victorians to keep up our COVIDSafe behaviours. Please share these materials with your networks through your social media and digital platforms.
Download the stakeholder pack3. VIC | TRANSLATED | COVID-19 support materials for the workplace
We all need to understand our rights and responsibilities in the workplace, and where to find support and information about coronavirus (COVID-19). The Victorian Government has translated information on issues such as where to get financial help if you can't access sick leave and what to do if you feel unwell.
Download the translated materials — including social media posts and posters — and share this important information with your networks.
Download the stakeholder kit4. VIC | TRANSLATED | Materials - doing the right thing keeps up on top of coronavirus
We need to keep doing the right things to keep us on top of coronavirus. The Victorian Government has translated information to remind people why they need to keep on following the rules.
Download the translated materials and share this important information with your networks.
5. VIC | TRANSLATED | Materials - signage and posters for your workplace and community groups
With businesses back open in Victoria, we need to make sure we continue being
safe. The Victorian Government has translated information to remind businesses and customers of their responsibilities, as well as posters business owners can print and display at their premises.
Download the translated materials and share this important information with your networks.
6. AUST | TRANSLATED | Fact sheets about pandemic leave payments
Services Australia has produced new translated fact sheets about pandemic leave disaster payments. This is a lump sum payment for people who have to quarantine or self-isolate or who are caring for someone with coronavirus (COVID-19).
The fact sheets provide information about:
- the payment
- who is eligible
- participating Australian states
- how to claim.
The new fact sheets are available in 17 languages: Arabic, Chinese (Simplified), Dari, Dutch, French, German, Greek, Hindi, Italian, Maltese, Nepali, Punjabi, Spanish, Tagalog, Turkish, Urdu and Vietnamese.
Access the fact sheets7. VIC | PROVIDING | Disability counselling and advocacy support
Free and independent emotional support is available for people with disability who have experienced violence, abuse, neglect or exploitation, and their families and carers. This support is also available for people who are engaging with or considering taking part in the Disability Royal Commission.
The Department of Social Services have prepared fact sheets about this service in Arabic, Chinese, Farsi, French, Greek, Hindi, Italian, Spanish, Turkish, Urdu and Vietnamese.
Learn more and access the fact sheets8. VIC | PROVIDING | Inclusive Education: Making Sure Our Kids With Disability Can Be Their Best
A world-leading pilot in more than 100 Victorian schools delivering extra support to students with a disability will be rolled out across Victoria through a $1.6 billion Disability Inclusion package.The number of students getting this extra support will double to 55,000 including students with autism, dyslexia or complex behaviours. Facilitators placed in the schools will help schools and families work through the new approach, and more than 100 extra staff will provide on-the-ground implementation support and program delivery.
Read the media release9. VIC | PROVIDING | Free QR Code Service for Businesses with Visitors
Victorian business owners can now access a free QR Code Service to keep records of visitors. It’s as simple as registering your business, downloading and printing a poster with the Victorian Government QR Code and displaying it prominently in your business. Vistors will scan the QR code using their smartphone camera and these records help contact tracers in the event a positive case of coronavirus (COVID-19) is identified.
Learn more and register10. VIC | ENDORSING | Respect for Women: Call it Out 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence | from 25 November 2020
ECCV,
inTouch Multicultural Centre Against Family Violence (inTouch) and
Multicultural Centre for Women's Health (MCWH), supported by Municipal Association of Victoria, are collaborating on a multilingual social media campaign to promote respect and call out common assumptions and barriers that arise in preventing violence against women from migrant and refugee backgrounds.
Key campaign messages in widely-spoken community languages will be shared from 25 November for
Respect Victoria's 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence 2020 campaign.
11. MELB | ICM | WEBINAR | Spectrum of Enlightenment | Sunday 13 December 2020 | 6-6.45pm
Join The Interfaith Centre of Melbourne (ICM) in this December Interspiritual Gathering on how a little light can dispel much darkness: the lights of Channuka. Join Guest Speaker Rabbi
Laibl Wolf (Dean, Spiritgrow - The Josef Kryss Centre) at this inclusive gathering for prayer, music and the wisdom of the great traditions, to inspire and spiritually strengthen us, towards the end of this unprecedented year.
Where: Online. A link will be forwarded upon registration.
Cost: Free
Bookings: register online at
Interfaith Centre of Melbourne12. AUST | NDIS | Reforms – Information Paper
On 28 August 2020, the Minister for the NDIS, the Hon Stuart Robert MP, also announced significant reforms to the NDIS, including the use of independent assessments, fully paid for by the NDIA.
- An Information Paper summarising these reforms was released on 24 November 2020.
- This paper explains what the changes are and what they mean for people in the scheme and those applying to become participants.
- Easy Read and audio versions of the Information Paper also available.
Access Information Paper here13. AUST | NDIS | Price Guide update
On 17 November 2020 the following NDIS guides were updated, with changes effective from Tuesday 1 December 2020:
- Price Guide and Support Catalogue 2020-21
- Price Guide 2020-21 for Specialist Disability Accommodation
- Assistive Technology, Home Modifications and Consumables Code Guide.
Updates to the NDIS Price Guide and Support Catalogue 2020-21 include: Increased price limits for 369 support items as a result of the final Equal Remuneration Order (ERO) adjustment
New columns in the Support Catalogue to help providers identify if a support item is eligible for:
- non-face-to-face support provision
- provider travel
- short notice cancellation
- NDIA requested reports
- irregular Supported Independent Living (SIL) supports.
The Assistive Technology, Home Modifications and Consumables Code Guide has been updated to include:
- Clearer names and descriptions of 111 support items
- Five high risk hearing support items that now require a written assessment and prescription from a qualified practitioner.
Find out more here14. AUST | NDIS | Latest Quarterly Report now available
The NDIS has released the latest Quarterly Report that provides a summary of how the Scheme performed from 1 July 2020 to 30 September 2020.
The report shows the Scheme is growing, supporting approximately 412,500 people with disability, with nearly 22,000 joining this quarter. Diversity is increasing too. Of note, 9.1 per cent of participants who entered this quarter identified as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander. This is the highest percentage in the history of the NDIS.
Read report here15. AUST | NDIS | Quality and Safeguards Commission
Easy Read resource about the Positive Behaviour Support Capability Framework.Resource explains what behaviour support is, what the framework does, and who can provide behaviour support.
Read framework here16. 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.
17. AUST | Helpers and Reliable Sources Along the Way
- Access Easy English – Over 70 resources developed on coronavirus.
- AUSLAN – Updates by Expression Australia - Regular Auslan only videos on updates of breaking news in Victoria, Australia and abroad.
- Australian Government Department of Health – Coronavirus advice for people with disability
- Australian Government Department of Social Services – Daily update on NDIS participants and workforce and easy English information on COVID-19.
- Beyond Blue – translated information on managing your mental health during COVID-19 in 63 languages.
- Blind Citizens Australia – Information on coronavirus for people who are blind or vision impaired.
- Council for Intellectual Disability (CID) – Easy English information for people with intellectual disability and videos about COVID-19.
- DHHS – Victorian Government Department of Health and Human Services advice and information on coronavirus available in 56 languages
- Ethnolink Language Services – Multi-lingual resource library with information available on coronavirus in 71 languages.
- Expression Australia – Keep up to date with regular Auslan videos on COVID-19, breaking news in Victoria, Australia and abroad.
- GP Expert Advice Matters – a website for patients translated into Arabic, simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Hindi and Vietnamese, and has practical information on how to access a local GP, telehealth and interpreter services
- Health Translations – A comprehensive place to find current COVID 19 multilingual information in 78 languages including Auslan and Easy English.
- MyAus Covid-19 app – Multilingual resource application produced by Migration Council Australia (MCA) for Australia's culturally and linguistically diverse communities about COVID - 19, it's impact and available support.
- National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) – Information about changes to how the NDIS work during the COVID -19 pandemic in 12 languages.
- NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission – Information contains links to updates, training, alerts, and resources for NDIS participants and providers.
- Older Persons Advocacy Network (OPAN) – promoting The Older Persons COVID-19 Support Line (OPCSL) within ethno-specific communities.
- Safe Steps Family Violence Response Centre – Victoria’s statewide first response service for women, young people and children experiencing family violence.
- SBS – news and information about coronavirus (COVID - 19) available in 63 languages.
- Scope – Key word sign video, posters and easy english resources on communicating COVID-19.
- VALID – 16 Page plain language guide to NDIS Specialist Disability Accommodation
- Women’s Information and Referral Exchange (WIRE) – Free support, referral and information for all Victorian women, nonbinary and gender-diverse people.
18. 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.
19. Bye bye to Essentialists
Thankyou for responding to the crisis as best you can to keep us ticking along and keeping us safe, received with gratitude. Us non-essentialists will endeavour to manage our expection of miracles and do our best to follow rules and stay out of the way. Contact your closest friendly non-essentialist if you need anything that can be done remotely. Bye bye to Essentialists for now, please leave to attend to the essential work. That is all from GEIFN Caretaker at this time.
20. 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.
