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Responding to COVID-19

 

COVID UPDATED ADVICE - 20 NOVEMBER 2020

As of 12.01am on Sunday 22 November (midnight Saturday) SA will revert to similar restrictions to those in place on Monday 16 November 2020. More information can be found on the government's SA COVID response page. Please note that this page may be further updated as more work is done on the Declaration.

Handy resources and phone numbers

ADVICE RELATED TO SA LOCKDOWN, THURS 19 NOV - WED 25 NOV 2020

COVID-19 SA Circuit-Breaker – Key Facts

South Australia has implemented a circuit breaker lockdown from 12.01AM Thursday 19 November, 2020. For this period, South Australians will need to remain at home. Full details of these measures are available on the sa.gov.au website under COVID response updates. We have summarised key information for essential workers, as well as allowable reasons for leaving the home, in the sections below. The SA COVID-19 Information Line is also available on 1800 253 787 from 9AM-5PM every day.

Essential workers

People may leave their homes for the purpose of undertaking duties as an essential worker. Essential workers are classified as people who perform work that is essential for the continued operation of certain operations and businesses. Importantly, volunteers are also classified as “essential workers”.

 For a full list, please view the Stay at home Q&A on the SA Gov COVID-19 website. Services, businesses and activities that are considered to be essential across our sector include:

  • Care services for people with particular needs because of homelessness, age, infirmity, disability, illness or chronic health
  • Organisations that provide urgent services necessary for the health and safety of any person, animal or premises (e.g. plumbing, Centelink services and Foodbank)
  • Public transport (including taxis and other public passenger services)

Reasons to leave home

During the lockdown period, South Australians will only be able to leave their home for the following reasons:

  • To go to work, as a worker or volunteer providing essential or emergency services
  • To receive medical case including seeking COVID-19 testing
  • To obtain medical supplies
  • To attend supermarkets to purchase essential groceries (note: only one person from the household once a day is allowed to do this)­­
  • To attend organised end of life visits
  • In an emergency situation (e.g. due to domestic and family violence, homelessness or to enact a bushfire safety plan)
  • To provide care and support to a relative or other person due to their health or because of homelessness, age, infirmity, disability, illness or chronic health condition.­­

For more details, please view the Stay at home Q&A on the SA Gov COVID-19 website

Wearing a mask

As of yet, mask wearing is not mandatory in public spaces. However, it is mandatory for workers who have to work closely in supporting vulnerable people. The SA Government and SA Health have strongly encouraged all South Australians to wear masks when outside the home.

We are aware that given the sudden changes in South Australia, workers and volunteers in our sectors may not have been able to purchase suitable masks. Measures such as using a scarf, bandana or other item of clothing to cover your face is recommended in these cases.

We note there is a strong possibility mask wearing will become mandatory in any second phase of this circuit breaker.

Services that urgently need access to PPE should contact SA Health for PPE supplies by emailing HealthPSCMSCOCustomerService@sa.gov.au

Updates on NDIS coronavirus supports in South Australia

Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme, Stuart Robert, has confirmed NDIS participants in South Australia have access to a range of temporary measures to ensure they can receive their disability-related supports, in line with public health advice.

In addition, with a focus on the safety of NDIS participants during the COVID-19 restrictions period I South Australia, the NDIA is reaching out to connect and check-in with vulnerable participants, to ensure they continue to have supports in place and offering phone or online planning meetings during lockdown.

Temporary measures in place to assist participants in South Australia include

  • Eligible NDIS participants able to use plan funding to purchase low-cost Assistive Technology, including smart devices (up to $1500)
  • Greater plan flexibility to ensure access to supports; deep cleaning of residences in the event a support worker returns a positive COVID-19 test; additional support, including a deep cleaning service, for participants who test positive for COVID-19 or who are required to isolate who live in a Supported Independent Living (SIL) setting
  • NDIS participants in South Australia who rely on face-to-face supports and assistance with their daily living will be able to use an existing support item (Low Cost Disability-Related Health Consumables) to claim on the cost of PPE for their own use at times their worker is with them
  • Providers in South Australia able to claim an allowance of $1.70 per hour of support delivered in the Activities of Daily Life Support Category, to cover the cost of PPE for workers, directly from the NDIA, ensuring participant plan funds are not impacted by the use of PPE by their providers and workers.

More information is available at ndvs.gov.au.

Relief for people without incomes

There are a number of options available to support people who have lost income due to complications caused by the SA COVID-19 outbreak and lockdown. Measure include:

  • A Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment of up to $1,500 available to eligible people who have been instructed to self-isolate or quarantine at home due to a public health direction or a positive COVID-19 test. To check your eligibility and to apply, visit the Services Australia website.
  • The SA COVID-19 Cluster Isolation Payment, a single $300 payment to provide financial support to workers in South Australia who are required to self-isolate because of a public health direction from SA Health and mandatory COVID-19 testing and do not have access to paid leave or other income support. To check your eligibility and apply, visit the SA Gov COVID-19 website.
  • The COVID-18 Relief Call Centre is also available for information and assistance on 1300 705 336. Services include access to personal hardship support and advice on short-term accommodation options if you cannot safely self-quarantine or self-isolate.

Mental health support

If you are in need of mental health support, please contact the SA COVID-19 Mental Health Support Line. You can call on 1800 632 753 (open 8.00am – 8.00pm every day).

Information for people with intellectual disability

A lot of information about COVID-19 and the SA lockdown is hard to understand, and may make people feel worried because they do not know what they need to do. To support people with intellectual disability, the SA Council on Intellectual Disability has prepared an easy-read document that provides a translation of SA Health and SAPOL COVID-19 information from Thursday 19 November. SA Health has also prepared easy-to-read information and resources on symptoms of COVID, physical distancing, COVID testing, COVID-19 hygiene tips, and how to wear a mask.

Thank you to NGOs providing essential services

We want to express our gratitude for our incredible community sector workforce who are working hard to be here for us during this difficult time. While these people are already #HereForSA every day of the year, we thank them for going above and beyond at this critical time. Thank you for looking after all South Australians in need, and making sure we all stay safe and well while waiting out these restriction

GENERAL ADVICE                                                                                                                             

Advice on care and safety

Advice and information on recovery

Advice and information on accessing support

Domestic and Family Violence

Asylum Seekers, Refugees and Temporary Visa Holders

Income support

Trusted information sources

GENERAL

FOR THE SECTOR

 

Self Isolation & Quarantine Guidelines

In South Australia, you will be required to self isolate or quarantine for 14 days if you:

  • have arrived from overseas
  • have arrived from interstate (some exemptions apply)
  • have been in close contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19 

During these 14 days, you must stay at home or in your hotel room and not leave unless you require urgent medical care.

This currently applies to all travellers (international and Australian), including South Australian citizens.

Non-compliance will result in a maximum penalty of $20,000.

For more information, visit the SA Health COVID-19 advice webpage.