COVID-19 Coronavirus update 24 April 2020 - East Gippsland ...
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
COVID-19 Coronavirus update
24 April 2020
Anzac Day message from the Mayor Stay Home Direction
It’s been just over 100 years since the There are only four reasons to leave your home:
first Anzac Day, but this year will be
• shopping for what you need - food and
different to all the others.
essential supplies
While we can’t gather at cenotaphs or
the Shrine of Remembrance, it doesn’t • medical, care or compassionate needs
mean Anzac Day and the sacrifices of
• exercise in compliance with the public
our service personnel are forgotten.
gathering requirements
We can all pay our respects in our own
way on Anzac Day, whether that’s • work and study if you can’t work or learn
wearing a sprig of rosemary, watching remotely
or listening to a service, or perhaps For the full list of frequently asked questions, visit
lighting a candle. https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/coronavirus-stay-
home-and-restricted-activities-directions-faq
One suggestion that has gained
popularity is to stand at your driveway
at 6am for a minute’s silence. Some Essential waste services during the
broadcasters will be playing The Last pandemic
Post or live streaming services from
the Australian War Memorial or Shrine East Gippsland Shire Council is fully complying
of Remembrance. with Victorian Government COVID-19 Stage 3
restrictions and social distancing and guidelines for
RSL Victoria is asking people to share how these apply to waste services.
photos of themselves in their driveway The pandemic is challenging all parts of the waste
at dawn on the RSLVIC Facebook page system. To ensure our waste facilities continue to
using the hashtag #STANDTO. operate in a safe manner we have implemented
You might also choose to take a free some changes. These included EFTPOS-only
virtual tour of the Australian War transactions and a temporary stop to green waste.
Memorial https://vwma.org.au/.
We appreciate these changes are not ideal, but
Whichever way you choose to community health and our ability to continue to
commemorate Anzac Day, please provide essential waste services throughout the
follow social distancing rules and be duration of the pandemic is most important to us.
mindful of your neighbours if you Council also must operate within very tight EPA
observe Anzac Day at dawn. guidelines and license conditions, and large
Everyone reflects in their own way, so stockpiles are simply not allowed.
please don’t impose your chosen way
on your neighbours. We are working on an approach to ensure you can
complete fire prevention clean up works and
- - Cr John White, East Gippsland Shire dispose of material properly. We will review our
Council Mayor current approach if Stage 3 restrictions extend
beyond 11 May.
1COVID-19 Coronavirus update
24 April 2020
The kerbside waste collection continues Learning from home
unchanged.
The Department of Education and Training has
Please consider and practise limiting your waste by established the FUSE website to support school
reducing packaging, home composting or a worm and early childhood educators access digital
farm. resources.
Crisis Impact Survey A partnership between the Victorian Government
and the ABC has been established so primary
Last week Council issued a follow-up survey to
students can have access to interactive learning
business operators across the shire to help gain a
activities and education programs. Students will be
deeper understanding of how businesses are being
able to watch programs on ABC ME of ABC iView
impacted by the compounding events of drought,
and then complete learning activities linked to the
bushfire and now COVID-19.
programs.
Information gained from this survey will be crucial
Visit https://www.abc.net.au/tveducation/ for more
in helping council influence further support
information.
packages being developed by state and federal
governments as well as looking at additional Operation Ribbon Launched
solutions council may be able to provide locally.
The operation will see members of Victoria Police’s
While this survey is being conducted by the dedicated Family Violence Investigation Unit
council’s Economic Recovery unit, the survey itself reaching out to Victorians who they know are at
is being hosted by Deloitte. risk.
Deloitte has been providing council with free The dedicated and specially trained taskforce will
bushfire impact analysis and ongoing data collation be out across Victoria knocking on doors of known
support as part of their corporate contribution to family violence offenders to ensure they’re not
East Gippsland’s bushfire recovery. causing any harm. They’ll also be visiting victim
survivors and communicating with them through a
Elective surgery
number of different channels to confirm their
From 27 April 2020, category 2 elective surgeries wellbeing and safety.
and equivalent procedures (such as IVF, screening
programs, joint replacements cataracts and eye
New guidance on construction sites
procedures) can recommence across the public WorkSafe Victoria has released new guidance on
and private hospital sectors. Dentists can also lift managing the risk of COVID-19 exposure on
restrictions to level 2 so procedures such as fitting construction sites
dentures, faces and non-high-speed drill fillings and
Read the guidance here
basic fillings can occur.
Streamed Anzac Day dawn service
Support for regional newspapers
A Dawn Service – closed to service communities
$4.7 million in emergency support has been
and the public – will be televised and streamed
announced to help regional print media survive
from Melbourne’s Shrine of Remembrance on
during the COVID-19 pandemic. The package was
Saturday, 25 April.
developed in consultation with the Victorian
Country Press Association.
2COVID-19 Coronavirus update
24 April 2020
COVID-19 Omnibus (Emergency Measures) Closures to services and facilities
Bill 2020 Following restrictions and advice from government,
The Victorian Government has shared details of council has taken measures to close some facilities
matters that will be addressed in the COVID-19 and services.
Omnibus (Emergency Measures) Bill 2020 which
All closures are in place until 11 May when the
was introduced into Parliament on Thursday.
situation will be reviewed.
In addition to amending the Local Government Act
Customer service centres
2020 to allow virtual meetings for local councils, the
Bill will also reportedly enable planning permits to All of our customer service centres are closed in
be displayed and sent electronically and planning the interest of social distancing requirements.
panels to conduct hearings by video-conference or We will be providing our services through
in other remote ways. telephone, email and website.
The Bill will implement the National Cabinet Our contact centre remains open on weekdays
tenancy reforms – protecting the temporary ban on from 8.30 am – 5.00 pm.
rental evictions and rent increases in law and
boosting mediation support to help landlords and You can complete many of our forms online at
tenants negotiate new, fair rental agreements. www.eastgippsland.vic.gov.au/forms
Payments and other transactions are encouraged
It will also provide for the majority of the provisions via the telephone or through our website.
of the Environment Protection Amendment Act
2018 to be pushed back to commence on 1 July Any customers who need to drop off or collect
2021 – or earlier by proclamation – to allow items from a Council premises can make these
business and industry to focus on the immediate arrangements by calling 5153 9500. Please request
impacts of coronavirus. to be put to through to the desired location and
make these arrangements with staff.
Foster and kinship carer support
We encourage customers to scan and email
The Victorian Government has announced an documents if possible.
additional $77.5 million over the next two years to
support some of Victoria’s most at-risk children. Bushfire Recovery Centre
Foster and kinship carers will receive a one-off The Bushfire Recovery Centre is now operating
$600 payment for every child they care for. 8.30am – 5pm Monday to Friday via appointment.
Ramadan We continue to support the community and are a
phone call or email away.
A wide range of measures to support Victoria’s
To make an enquiry or appointment please
Muslim community during Ramadan have been
phone 5153 9500, press ‘1’ to connect with the
announced by the Minister for Multicultural Affairs. team or email
A further $15,000 has been invested to help BushfireRecoveryContactCentre@egipps.vic.gov
mosques get IT-ready so they can hold digital
services and to reach out to their communities Referrals and advice continue to occur;
during the month-long observance. While this is
• Financial and legal support services
traditionally a time spent with family and friends, it
is important that all Victorians stay home.
3COVID-19 Coronavirus update
24 April 2020
• Financial and personal counselling and • Waste sites are not accepting Green Waste
business support. unless you are a contractor
• Agencies that continue their support; • Boat ramps and jetties
• Red Cross and Salvation Army Beaches
• Disaster Legal Help Victoria Under the direction of the Chief Health Officer and
the Department of Health and Human Services’
• Windemere requirements limiting the number of people at
• Anglicare public gatherings, Council has closed the following
beaches and foreshores:
• Rural Financial Counselling Service
• Tambo Bay, Foreshore
Open by appointment
• Raymond Island, Foreshore
• Omeo: banking and Centrelink services only
• Marlo, Foreshore
Other site closures
• All playgrounds, outdoor exercise stations and
• Port of Bairnsdale
skate parks • North Arm Foreshore, Lakes Entrance
• Off leash dog parks including Bosworth Road, • Main Beach, Lakes Entrance
Bairnsdale, and Palmers Road, Lakes
Entrance. • Village Green Beach, Metung
• A quarter of council’s public toilets • Lake King Beach, Metung
• Bairnsdale Aquatic and Recreation Centre • Lake Tyers Beach, Lake Tyers
• Lakes Entrance Aquadome • Picnic Point River Foreshore, Bairnsdale
• Forge Theatre • Eastern Beach, Lakes Entrance
• Orbost Outdoor Pool • Dawsons Cove, Newlands Arm
• Bairnsdale Library • Lake Bunga Beach, Lake Bunga
• Mobile libraries • Paynesville Foreshore
• Visitor Information Centres • Progress Jetty, Paynesville
• Council-operated caravan parks in • Sunset Cove, Paynesville
Mallacoota, Eagle Point, Cann River and
Swifts Creek. New bookings are not being What is open?
taken and those with existing bookings have The following facilities and services remain open.
been offered a refund or credit
Best practise social distancing guidelines must be
• Some public toilets at playgrounds and areas observed in all public spaces.
where people gather to reinforce social
distancing. alternate open toilets are available • Marinas
nearby. Signs have been put up to direct • Planning
people to the nearest facilities that are open
4COVID-19 Coronavirus update
24 April 2020
• East Gippsland Livestock Exchange, only ublic_Health/Immunisations/Influenza_Vaccination_
people essential for a sale to proceed are Program
permitted
Rhymetime and Storytime:
• Waste sites and kerbside waste collection
We're bringing Storytime and Rhymetime online
expect green waste
while our libraries are closed.
• Aerodromes
Visit our website to watch them
• Raymond Island Ferry - casual fees are https://www.eastgippsland.vic.gov.au/Libraries/Kids
suspended for all vehicles to allow social _and_Teens
distancing.
Disability Support
We have introduced four hourly cleans of the
ferry passenger deck from today. These The Disability Information Helpline provides
cleans mean that the deck won’t be available information and referrals for people with disability
for foot traffic passengers from 9.30 – who need help because of coronavirus (COVID-19).
10.30am; 1.30 – 2.30pm; and 5.30 – 6.30pm The Helpline can help families, carers, support
as the cleaner will be on deck at this time. workers and services, too.
The ferry will operate during these times for
vehicles only, You can contact the Helpline in the following ways:
Those in vehicles are also reminded to keep • Phone (free call): 1800 643 787
their windows up at all times to respect social • If you are deaf, or have a hearing or speech
distancing requirements. impairment, you can also call the National
• Local Laws will continue animal collection and Relay Service on 133 677.
the operating of the pound
The Helpline is available Monday to Friday 8.00am
• Health officers will continue to work to 8.00pm and Saturday and Sunday 9.00am to
Immunisation sessions 7.00pm. It’s not available on national public
holidays.
Due to current restrictions on social distancing in
relation to COVID-19, immunisation sessions will When you call the Helpline, you will speak to a
now run by appointment only. person who will:
Further information please • Listen carefully to you
visit: https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/coronavirus
• Use their connections to find things out, check
Influenza vaccinations the facts, and get information for you
Influenza vaccinations will, at this stage, be • Transfer you to services that can help you
available from 16 April from Council’s immunisation
• Transfer you to a phone counsellor for
service by appointment only.
emotional support, if you would like
Please visit our website for updated information
• Give you clear and accessible information
and to find out when you can make an appointment
for flu vaccination
at: https://www.eastgippsland.vic.gov.au/Services/P
5COVID-19 Coronavirus update
24 April 2020
Coronavirus accessible resources You need to link to either Medicare or Australian
Taxation Office. Do this before registering your
For accessible information on Coronavirus, please
intention to claim.
see the below links:
Once you do this, Centrelink will prompt you to
• Auslan – Information and support for people
register your intention to claim.
with disability and carers
If you have a myGov account linked to
• Coronavirus – What is it? - Easy Read
Centrelink
• Coronavirus – 5 things to do right now – Easy You can sign in to myGov and choose to either:
Read
• go to your Centrelink online account and start
• Coronavirus – What you need to know – Easy your claim now
Read
• register your intention to claim on the myGov
• Coronavirus – FAQs – Easy Read Welcome screen.
• Coronavirus – Social distancing – Easy Read If you’ve lost your job or income has reduced due
• Coronavirus – Staying at home – Easy Read to COVID-19, and are:
• 21 or younger, you may be able to claim
Registering for Centrelink Youth Allowance for job seekers
If you have been affected by the COVID-19 • between 22 and Age Pension age you may be
restrictions, Centrelink has now updated its able to claim JobSeeker Payment
processes so you can register your intention to
claim a Centrelink payment on the Centrelink • a young child’s main carer you may be able to
website. This means you do not need to call or visit claim Parenting Payment.
a Centrelink office to start the process. For more information visit
www.servicesaustralia.gov.au
You don’t need to complete a full claim right now.
You can register your intention to claim at a time
and place that works for you. Centrelink will Business support package
backdate your payment. With the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak
Once you’ve registered your intention to make a impacting industries, the Victorian Government is
claim, Centrelink will contact you to let you know responding with a $1.7 billion Economic Survival
what the next steps are. Package to support businesses and workers.
If you have a myGov account linked to Medicare One of the key programs in the package, the $500
or Australian Taxation Office million Business Support Fund, is now officially
open to applications.
You can register your intention to claim. When you
sign in to myGov, you will be prompted to register The Business Support Fund will help small
your intention to claim a Centrelink payment. businesses highly impacted by shutdown
If you have a myGov account not linked to restrictions. Those businesses can apply for a
Medicare or Australian Taxation Office $10,000 grant towards operational costs and to
help keep people in work.
6COVID-19 Coronavirus update
24 April 2020
To be eligible, businesses must already employ A close contact could include any person meeting
staff, have payroll of less than $650,000 and a any of the following criteria:
turnover of more than $75,000. Full details on
• Living in the same household or similar setting
eligibility and how to apply are set out on the
(for example, a boarding school or hostel)
Business Support Fund webpage
business.vic.gov.au/businesssupportfund. • Direct contact with the body fluids or
laboratory specimens of a confirmed case
$1,500 JobKeeper payment
• A person who spent two hours or longer in the
Under the JobKeeper Payment, businesses
same room
significantly impacted by the coronavirus outbreak
will be able to access a subsidy from the • Face-to-face contact for more than 15 minutes
Commonwealth Government to continue paying with the case in any other setting not listed
their employees. above.
This assistance will help businesses to keep people What are the symptoms of COVID-19?
in their jobs and re-start when the crisis is over. For Many people who contract COVID–19 will suffer
employees, this means they can keep their job and only mild symptoms. However early indications are
earn an income – even if their hours have been cut. that the elderly and people with pre-existing
The JobKeeper Payment is a temporary scheme medical conditions are more at risk of experiencing
open to businesses impacted by the coronavirus. severe symptoms.
The JobKeeper Payment will also be available to The most common coronavirus symptoms reported
the self-employed. include:
The Government will provide $1,500 per fortnight • Fever
per employee for up to 6 months.
• Breathing difficulties such as breathlessness
The JobKeeper Payment will support employers to
maintain their connection to their employees and • Cough
reactivate their operations quickly when the crisis is • Sore throat
over.
• Fatigue or tiredness
https://www.business.gov.au/Risk-
management/Emergency- More information on COVID-19
management/Coronavirus-information-and-support-
Visit the Department of Health and Human
for-business
Services website for the latest advice and updates
How is COVID-19 spread? on the response to COVID-19:
www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/coronavirus
It is spread through close contact with an infected
person. Keeping a distance of 1.5 metres from If you are experiencing any symptoms of COVID-
other people is recommended. 19, please contact your GP or call the dedicated
hotline on 1800 675 398.
Close contact means greater than 15 minutes
face-to-face or the sharing of a closed space for The Department of Health and Human Services
more than two hours with a confirmed case. also has a self-assessment chart to help you
decide if you should be tested.
7COVID-19 Coronavirus update
24 April 2020
8You can also read
