Published: 06 March 2020
Coronavirus (COVID-19) precautionary measures
No doubt, many of you have been following the news regarding novel coronavirus (COVID-19). Like you I share concerns for the health of people worldwide and the risk to people in Australia.
The health and wellbeing of our residents and staff is our priority and we are closely monitoring the situation, proactively responding to developments and taking the necessary precautions. Importantly, we are following advice from the Australian Department of Health.
To date there have been no confirmed cases of COVID-19 at any of our villages and we are working hard to ensure it remains this way.
We encourage you to help keep our village community healthy by:
- Knowing the facts about COVID-19
Read the Australian Dept. of Health’s fact sheet about COVID-19: https://www.health.gov.au/resources/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-what-you-need-to-knowIt covers:
- How to help prevent the spread of COVID-19
- What to do if you develop symptoms
- Who is most at risk of serious illness
- Reducing the risk of getting sick or passing on infections by:
- Washing your hands often with soap and water or alcohol-based hand sanitiser.
- Wiping down surfaces regularly.
- Covering your coughs and sneezes with a tissue or the crook of your elbow.
- Staying at home if you are unwell.
- Asking your family and friends to:
- Follow the hand and respiratory hygiene procedures when visiting our communities.
- Not to visit if they have been exposed to COVID-19 or have flu-like symptoms.
- Checking before you travel
Get up-to-date information about your destination and the countries you might need to transit through from the www.health.gov.au and www.smartraveller.gov.au
Current advice from the Australian Government is:
Your risk of infection is currently low
✔ Have not been in close contact with someone who has COVID-19
You need to take the risk of infection seriously
If you are at risk, you need to
- If you have left, or transited through mainland China, Iran or South Korea in the last 14 days, you must isolate yourself for 14 days from the date of leaving mainland China or Iran.
- If you have been in close contact with a proven case of coronavirus, you must isolate yourself for 14 days from the date of last contact with the confirmed case.
- If you have left, or transited through Italy, you need to monitor your health for the next 14 days.
- If you develop symptoms (fever, a cough, sore throat, tiredness or shortness of breath) within 14 days of being in contact with a confirmed case, call your doctor or state health authority and arrange to be assessed.
Useful information
- The National Coronavirus Health Information Line on 1800 020 080
Operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week. For translating/ interpreting services, call 131 450. - NSW Dept. of Health 1300 066 055
- Qld Dept. of Health 13 432 584
- SA Dept. of Health 1300 232 272
I will continue to provide updates as the situation develops.
Please contact your Village Manager if you have any questions or concerns. We are here to help!