COVID-19 INFORMATION
Coastlink has created this Coronavirus (COVID-19) website information page for Coastlink clients, staff and the general community.
As information changes quickly, this page will be updated as much as possible.
Please visit The Australian Government Department of Health’s website for up-to-date specific information about COVID-19.
For information regarding Coastlink’s services in response to COVID-19, read the below information, or call the Coastlink office on (02) 4321 1022.
Click here for the NDIS response to Coronavirus.
29 June 2020 COVID-19 Message from the CEO
24 April 2020 COVID-19 Message from the CEO
19 May 2020 COVID-19 Message from the CEO
Latest Essential Information
Updated: 11.45am AEST on Wednesday, 27 May 2020
27 MAY Coastlink Service Update in Response to COVID-19
Updated: 2pm AEST on Wednesday, 8 April 2020
8 APRIL Coastlink Service Update in Response to COVID-19
Updated: 10am AEST on Tuesday, 7 April 2020
7 APRIL Coastlink Service Update in Response to COVID-19
Updated: 7pm AEDT on Wednesday, 26 March 2020
Coastlink Service Update in Response to COVID-19
Updated: 11am AEDT on Monday, 23 March 2020
- The NSW Premier has last night announced the comprehensive shut-down of non-essential services over the next 48 hours.
- Please note: As a provider of NDIS and Aged Care supports, our services are considered essential and Coastlink will continue to operate its disability day programs. In doing so, we will be following the Australian Government’s guidelines for protection of all clients and staff.
Given the immediacy of the changes being implemented, from Monday 23 March we will not be accessing any non-essential activities and will be operating all NDIS day programs from our Activity Hub in Berkeley Vale and Woy Woy.
Our aged care centres in Greenpoint and Mangrove Mountain will cease operations from today until further notice. We will however be offering additional one to one supports and in-home supports to our aged care clients.
We will be working closely with all of our clients to ensure we can continue to provide ongoing support and will be offering more one-on-one supports, in-home supports and small group activities in our day programs. We are also looking at opportunities to assist clients with their groceries, other essential shopping and appointments.
For information on how we can assist you individually at this time, we encourage all clients to contact their Coordinator or phone Coastlink on 4321 1022.
Other Information
Updated: 11am AEDT on Monday, 23 March 2020
- Pubs, licensed clubs and hotels (excluding accommodation), places of worship, gyms, indoor sporting venues, cinemas, casinos to close from midday Monday, 23 March 2020. Restaurants and cafes to offer takeaway only. Schools and supermarkets can remain open.
- To help stop the spread of coronavirus, stay 1.5 metres away from others where possible, wash your hands regularly for at least 20 seconds with soap and water, avoid touching your face and if sick, stay home.
- Non-essential mass gatherings are banned for groups of more than 500 people outdoors, or more than 100 indoors.
- There are restrictions on visitors to Residential Aged Care Facilities to protect older Australians. Please check with individual facilities for further information.
- From 9pm AEDT 20 March 2020, our borders are closed except for Australian citizens, residents and immediate family members. All arrivals into Australia are required to self-isolate for 14 days, either at home or in a hotel.
For full details, visit australia.gov.au to stay up-to-date with essential information.
Information About Coronavirus (COVID-19)
What is COVID-19?
Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by a newly discovered coronavirus.
Most people infected with the COVID-19 virus will experience mild to moderate respiratory illness and recover without requiring special treatment. Older people, and those with underlying medical problems like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, chronic respiratory disease and cancer, are more likely to develop serious illness.
If you are concerned about coronavirus and yourself, you can call the National Coronavirus Helpline on 1800 020 080. The helpline is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
If you require translating or interpreting services, call 131 450.
The Australian Government has launched a national campaign to inform all Australians about the coronavirus (COVID-19) and how to stop it spreading.
Videos (with captions)
Factsheets
Identifying the symptoms PDF – 142KB
Identifying the Symptoms Word – 15KB
Frequently asked questions about Coronavirus
How to keep yourself and others safe from Coronavirus:
- Cover your coughs and sneezes with your elbow or a tissue
- Dispose of tissues properly – throw them in the bin
- Wash your hands often with soap and water, including before and after eating and after going to the toilet
- Use alcohol-based hand sanitisers
- Clean and disinfect surfaces – including wheelchairs
- If you are sick, stay home and avoid contact with others where possible. Stay more than 1.5 metres away from people
- Clean and sanitise frequently used objects such as mobiles, keys and wallets
- Stay aware of the latest information
NDIS and NDIA
The NDIS have recently published Easy Read information and frequently asked questions with the latest information about their response to the coronavirus (COVID-19).
- Easy Read - Coronavirus (COVID-19) information (PDF 3MB)
- Easy Read (text only) - Coronavirus (COVID-19) information (DOCX 50KB).
- Auslan Video
- FAQ – frequently asked questions
The Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme, Stuart Robert, has announced a range of measures to support NDIS participants and providers during the COVID-19 situation. Read more here.
Learn more here:
Wheelchairs and Coronavirus
Click here for information on keeping your wheelchair clean.
Ibuprofen Clarification
The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has released a medicines safety advice for consumers and health professionals confirming that there is “no evidence to support claims ibuprofen worsens COVID-19 symptoms” Read more here.
Auslan
Expression Australia are providing regular updates for the Deaf community on the Expression Australia website as well as on the Expression Australia Facebook page.
People with Asthma
Asthma Australia have released information regarding Coronavirus and people with asthma.
Other Easy Read Information
Look after your mental health during Coronavirus – by Council for Intellectual Disability (CID) Easy Read Guide HTML
Down Syndrome Australia – Easy Read Guide to Coronavirus
Council for Intellectual Disability (CID) have published an Easy Read Guide
The Endeavour Foundation (PDF only)
Easy Read Guide on How to Wash Your Hands Correctly
Easy Read posters by Photosymbols (PDF only)
Coronavirus – how to stay safe
Coronavirus – what if you get ill
Supermarkets
Supermarkets have made changes to their opening hours, item limits and online deliveries.
Coles and Woolworths have both implemented priority hours for people with disability and elderly people, daily between 7am – 8am. People will need a Pensioner Concession Card, Commonwealth Seniors Health Card, Companion Card or Health Care Card to enter.
Click and Collect orders are not available at this current time.
Online Shopping
Coles Online Priority Service
Coles Online Priority Service will be launching soon and will allow customers who can’t easily get to a store to purchase essential items and have them home delivered. Contact Coles on 1800 455 400 for more information.
Woolworths Priority Assistance
The Woolworths Priority Assistance service has priority delivery times for people who are elderly, have a disability, have a compromised immune system or are required to self-isolate. The form can be found here. It may take up to 48 hours to assess requests. Call 1800 000 610 for assistance.
Other Services
Bulk Billed Telehealth Services
Link to more Fact Sheets on the Department of Health website
Centrelink Information
Centrelink is regularly releasing information on services to help people affected by Coronavirus. Click here for more information.
Aboriginal
Audio files with health messages for COVID-19 in Aboriginal languages are being rolled out across the NT to cover a majority of language groups. More recordings will be added as they become available.
General Support
Beyond Blue have some handy tips on Looking after your mental health during the coronavirus outbreak and a Support Service for short term counselling by phone and webchat.
It’s easy to feel overwhelmed during these times. Talking to someone can help.
Lifeline - 13 11 14
Beyond Blue - 1300 22 4636
Kids Helpline - 1800 55 1800
Other Languages
The Department of Health is the most reliable source for you to access information on COVID-19. Their website has information in several languages and includes factsheets on hygiene, overseas travellers etc. Click here to access translated information in your preferred language.
NDIS
The NDIS has published a list of multilingual resources in Easy Read, on what the NDIA is doing to stop Coronavirus spreading. Click here to view the resources.
Useful Information
World Health Organisation (WHO) – Coping with stress during the 2019-nCov outbreak
Beyond Blue – Looking after your mental health during the coronavirus outbreak
People with Disability Australia has a list of Corona Virus Resources
We are committed to providing you with the latest information to ensure the protection and wellbeing of all members of our Coastlink community, as well as the broader community, during this time.